In September of 2018, the Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Geoff Fraser of Melbourne FL and his team at Conway Lakes were using art to help heal.
During the event, inspirational young patients along with Florida Hospital South and Conway Lakes Health & Rehab Center were picking up brushes, painting on canvases, or putting on costumes for the camera to bring hope and healing front and center.
Florida Health South and Conway Lakes Health & Rehab Center repeatedly make a difference in the Orlando community and this one-day collaboration art event is just one example of the difference that they’re making in young patient’s lives.
“Overall, patient experience is not just about one aspect of care. Every encounter contributes to the patient experience. The best outcomes start when we look at what we offer from the perspective of a patient and make sure it incorporates what goals and services are important to the patient,” says Geoff Fraser, partner of Clear Choice Health Care.
Fraser believes that art programs are becoming an important part of medical treatment and the local medical community has developed a greater understanding of the emotional benefit of such programs.
Art’s Healing Power
Recent research shows that art has been proven to improve the well-being of patients and staff members. Researchers have found that such programs decrease patient stress and improve quality of life.
Art creates stimulation and vibrancy and is known to soothe and distract in intense situations, such as cancer and chemotherapy. And it’s especially effective when the patient is a child.
In a recent report from the Society for the Arts in Health Care, data showed that 45 percent of the country’s health care institutions use art in their programs. These included displays of art, bedside workshops, and performances.
Regarding serious illness and children, families also have a hard time on this journey. “I believe that it’s not just the medical care that is important, but complementary therapies like art can improve a family’s coping mechanism and help make a difference in the lives of these little ones,” says Joshua Wagoner, administrator for Conway Lakes Health & Rehab Center, a facility that specializes in the active and aging population.
“We’re known for our services to seniors and our community involvement, but this event is a great way to give back to our community, our children and our medical advocates,” says Wagoner. “Art allows us to come together for the betterment of us all.”
“To inspire and empower the lives we touch, to serve our communities and to lead with a purpose-driven passion, we are the transformative change where health care should be,” says Geoff Fraser.