Marshall’s pediatric exam rooms are getting a refreshing new look thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Marshall Foundation for Community Health (MFCH) and the artistic talent of longtime employee Llana Shaver. Shaver, a nurse at Marshall Family Medicine, is completing a series of murals designed to brighten the rooms and calm young patients in a potentially stressful environment.
“There are numerous therapeutic benefits of art for the healing of children,” notes Marshall Pediatrics’ Courtney LaCaze-Adams, MD. “The murals can play a large role in helping our pediatric patients overcome their fear of coming to the doctor’s office, as well as medical procedures that may occur in our office. Art in the form of these murals can support stress reduction, act as a powerful tool of distraction and allow the kids to feel more comfortable in our pediatric practice. These murals have and will continue to contribute not only to the welcoming atmosphere of our clinic, but also to the ongoing health of the children we serve in our community. “
Shaver completed five murals in 2008 and is now working on artwork in the additional nine exam rooms.
In the past, MFCH has provided critical funding for a jaundice meter at Georgetown’s Divide Wellness Center, as well as Marshall’s Baby Friendly Hospital certification. The pediatric mural project, expected to be completed in early 2025, represents yet another innovative investment by the foundation to elevate the Marshall experience for our community’s families.