Intern project improves treatment rooms while providing creative outlet for pediatric patients
By Heidi Lutz
JUNE 29, 2007--When Todd Royer set out to complete a project as a Child Life intern in Children’s Hospital, he was at a loss. It was a requirement of his internship, yet he could not find a suitable project within the walls of the patient-room lined hallways of the hospital. Nothing immediately jumped out at him to be improved upon.
Then Dr. Xavier Villa stepped in. Villa is an associate professor of pediatric gastroenterology and sees kids daily for endoscopic procedures. He had just acquired two procedure rooms to be designated specifically for pediatric patients. But their barren white walls seemed far from the child-friendly atmosphere familiar to patients in Children’s Hospital.
Royer knew he had his project, and upon his departure from UTMB, he would leave a lasting mark for all pediatric gastroenterology patients. He has since moved on, but now, instead of the sterile, blank rooms, patients now see brighter walls adorned with art painted by a fellow patient.
“Every time I walked into the procedure rooms, I cringed,” Royer said. “Nothing speaks ‘I am in a hospital’ louder than a room with blank, white walls.”
Royer recruited a young oncology patient named Melissa to help him. She is a budding artist and needed something to help pass the time during her treatments here at the hospital. She and her mother travel from Huntsville when Melissa needs to be admitted. During her stays, Melissa would work on the three-panel paintings of a beach scene, encouraged the entire way by Royer and the rest of the Children’s Hospital staff.
Children’s Hospital has been stepping up its art program, encouraging children to use art as a therapeutic release. They have been painting illustrations used on cards, and have a tile project in the works.
“Creativity often helps them to find a positive outlet by which to express their feelings,” said Janis Matthews, director of Child Life and School Services.
Now, the latest piece is part of an ongoing cosmetic overhaul of patient areas in the hospital. Children visiting the pediatric endoscopy suite no longer will enter a bare, sterile room.
“Children are already in a heightened state of anxiety when they enter the hospital,” Royer said. “If the anxiety children are feeling decreases just a tad because of some familiarity in the room, something comforting like a painted beach scene, then it was well worth it.”