Care for the Caregiver
Date: August 23, 2010

“Health care is serious business, and we wanted to reach every employee to let them know how much they are appreciated. It’s care for the caregiver,” says Sue Lavigne, expressive arts coordinator of Floyd’s Arts in Medicine program.

Sue led a recent project that made it possible for all 2,365 Floyd employees to receive hand-made stress-relief packages delivered directly to their department.

Recently, the arts program received a grant from
Wal-Mart and decided to use the money to provide a special gift just in time for EMR training. Each employee received a gift, specially assembled by the Arts in Medicine team and Floyd volunteers, containing five items to stimulate each of the five senses.

“The Soothing the Senses project was our expression of appreciation to the staff in all the ways they support our healing environment and this organization,” says Sue.

The gift couldn’t have come at a better time, as Floyd employees are in the midst of transitioning to an electronic medical record and stress levels are increased. The Soothing the Senses project was well received among employees:

“This thoughtful act comes in a timely fashion with all the responsibilities that have accompanied months of Cerner preparedness ultimately impacting every level. It gives everyone an opportunity for respite and relaxation and to feel valued!”

 “Thank you so much for the gift bag! It was so thoughtful and just what I needed to deal with the stress of starting my new job! It made my day!”

“Thanks to all in the Arts in Medicine team who put together this wonderful gift. My favorite is the sachet–smells divine.”

“This gift was very thoughtful and caring. So much effort went into this, thanks just doesn’t seem enough.”

“Thank you for the gift bag–of course I ate my chocolate right away! I enjoyed all of the treasures. Thank you for thinking of us all during this long and hot summer – it was a nice thing to do.”

“I wanted to thank you for the Arts in Medicine gift bag. I loved the water color and have it put up at home where I can see it every day!”

“I loved painting the picture–that was my favorite!  It’s still on my desk!”

Since its inception in 2002, the Arts in Medicine team has served as an integral part of Floyd’s healing environment. The program serves patients, families, visitors, co-workers and physicians transforming the medical environment to one of inspiration and healing.

The Arts in Medicine program recognizes that healing is a process involving the body, mind and spirit. The program enhances the clinical aspects of healing by providing soothing music and visual cues proven to lower blood pressure, decrease stress and affect critical brain chemicals.
           
           

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