Pictured from left to right are: (Sitting) Mary Campbell, Arts at Erlanger and Cindy Olson Erlanger, Chief Business Officer, Physician Services. (Standing) Nathan Land, Chattanooga Rocks; Britt Tabor, Erlanger CFO; Ryan Fugate, Erlanger Foundation; and Steve Curd, Erlanger Planning and Construction.
Erlanger Health System employees, donors and volunteers gathered to officially “christen” a new Zen Garden for guests, patients and employees.
The Zen Garden was created by an arts committee at Erlanger formed by physicians and associates, family members, Erlanger foundation representatives and community volunteers who believe art in hospitals has a positive affect on not only patient outcomes but also a positive affect on visitors and staff.
“Studies have shown being outdoors in a quiet garden can help reduce stress and restore the human spirit,” said Cindy Olson, Erlanger’s Chief Business Officer, Physician Services.
“Our wish for the garden’s visitors is to have a quiet respite where they can collect their thoughts, meditate or pray.”
Tucked away in a small corner of the downtown hospital, guests will feel a bit of a breeze, hear the soft trickle of water and see natural colors of plants and rock as they immerse themselves in tranquility to rejuvenate their mind and spirit. The traditional Japanese inspired plan features a Japanese Maple and Umbrella Pine trees, boulders, a Juniper Topiary, Hydrangeas and Forest Grass, a Tsukubai or water feature, an Ishidoro or granite lantern, an iris and lily garden and benches.
All Zen Garden features were donated by committee members and individuals who wanted an outdoor respite for Erlanger guests and employees. Many of the features will continue to provide comfort for years to come to those who donated them in honor or memory of loved ones.
The “Arts at Erlanger” committee recognizes the following for their support of the new initiative:
- UT Erlanger Cardiology and Dr. Charles Campbell – (Beni Shishihenge) Japanese Maple and Umbrella Pine trees
- OrthoSouth at Erlanger and Dr. Richard Alvarez – (Ishidoro) Japanese lantern
- Southern Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons at Erlanger and Drs. Jesse Doty and Dirk Kiner – Boulders
- Academic Urologists at Erlanger and Dr. Amar Singh – (Tsukubai) Water feature
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Erlanger – Hydrangeas and Forest Grass in memory of Donna Mason
- Steve Burkett – Iris and Lily Garden in memory of Frieda Burkett
- Britt Tabor – Juniper Topiary in memory of Alton Tabor
- Cindy and Chuck Olson – Design, financial contribution and labor
- Erlanger Staff: Ryan Fugate, Mike Baker, Marc Thomas, Steve Curd and others - Prep work and labor
- Chattanooga Rocks –Boulder placement
- The Barn Nursery – Assistance with plants and trees
- Unum Employees – Labor