At the University of Texas Medical Branch's John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, an innovative program offers young, long-term patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) a unique creative outlet.
This initiative, which was originally started by the late Janis Matthews, former UTMB Child Life Director, children can design and create ceiling tiles that are later placed throughout the hallways of the unit, creating a comforting environment for past, current, and future patients. Nurse manager Emily Nicoletti and certified child life coordinator Lizette Perez now lead the effort.
For children facing extended hospital stays, the experience can be emotionally taxing. Allowing them to personalize ceiling tiles offers them a sense of control, self-expression, and accomplishment. Each ceiling tile becomes a personal story for the child with themes focusing on Galveston's beaches, aquatic life, or popular children's characters. These tiles bring bursts of color and joy to a traditionally intimidating environment for younger patients.
The ceiling tile art not only provides therapeutic benefits for the patients but also offers comfort to others, who gaze up at the inspiring artwork during difficult moments. These small but meaningful changes in the hospital environment emphasize the healing power of creativity, community, and empathy in pediatric care, showing that medicine is not only about treatments, but also about creating spaces where young patients feel seen, supported, and comforted.