Founder

Elaine Poggi, Founder of The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals

“I have been given a gift: I am aware of and can see the world’s beauty all around me.  I capture this beauty with my camera, and then my greatest joy is to share it with those who are suffering in hospitals. When I am scuba diving, I see incredibly colored fish and coral. When I am driving around the Tuscan hills, I feel the peace and tranquility of this land. When I am hiking in the Dolomite mountains with my husband and my little dog, I smell the fresh, crisp air. My hope is that my photos transmit these colors, feelings and scents to all the patients who view them.”

 
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Elaine’s Story:

Elaine is an American citizen and has resided in Florence, Italy, for many years. In 2001, her 85-year-old mother was admitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She left her family in Italy to be with her mother and assisted her all day, and sometimes all night, every day of her almost three-month stay in the hospital.  Along with her mother, Elaine experienced endless hours of loneliness, staring at sterile, white hospital walls. Out of desperation to bring life and color back into her mother’s life during her stay, she decided to alleviate the cold and unfriendly hospital environment by decorating her room with her enlarged photographs of underwater scenes and landscapes of Florence. Immediately, her mother’s room had a more comforting atmosphere. The photos had the effect of boosting her mother’s morale and also quickly became a topic of conversation for the hospital staff, other patients, and visitors.

H032 Florence, Italy - San Giovanni di Dio Hospital

Elaine’s Mission:

Upon Elaine’s return to Florence, while mourning her mother’s passing, she returned to a single thought: if her photos had such a positive effect on her mother, perhaps they could offer comfort to other patients and families, to take their minds off their illnesses if only for a few moments. Because of this experience with her mother, Elaine’s mission now is to place colorful, soothing photographs of nature and beautiful places from around the world in hospitals. Her wish is to give hope and comfort to patients and their families, visitors, and caregivers to help soften the often stressful hospital experience. Elaine’s hope is that those who view her photos will feel the joy and love she felt while photographing the scenes for them. The requests for her photos are increasing. There are so many hospitals with white walls that her mission is endless. Elaine is humbled and encouraged to continue because of the enthusiastic, positive feedback from patients and hospital staff who are already viewing her photos in hospitals.  Elaine received the 2010-11 Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award for Zone 31 from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for her work with Healing Photo Art.

The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals, Inc., was incorporated in the USA as a non-profit organization in November 2002 to allow the photo project to expand. To present, more than 12,000 photos have been placed in almost 700 healthcare facilities on all 7 continents.

“It was wonderful meeting you on Wednesday. You and your work became the topic of conversation at dinner with my family. I was so impressed with your skills as an artist, speaker and philanthropist.” Steven B. Miller, MD, Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO “The Foundation for Photo Art in Hospitals is an organization that reaches individuals in a heartfelt manner at critical times in their lives. This became evident to me when I attended a dedication of photographs on an adolescent psychiatric unit. The photos had been chosen through discussion with the young patients and each one of them came alive when they spoke about their favorites. We don’t often appreciate the small changes we make in individual lives but this foundation can take pride in how it salves the wounds of those suffering both physically and emotionally.” Rosemary Strembicki, Foundation Board Member, St. Louis, MO “Our Art Cart program is a “smashing” success. The patients, families and staff all love it. They intermingle with the patients on their choices. Wonderful stories come out of it. One in particular is an underwater picture with beautiful fish. One lady would not be transferred out of her room until the picture came with her. She said it reminded her of her best friend and her aquarium which gave her much comfort.” Suzanne M. Gaughn, Volunteer Services Manager, Olean General Hospital, NY “We appreciate very much the photos from your organization. It brings smiles to staff, patients and their relations who visit our facilities. The power of the photos in the healing process of our patients is incredible to the extent that it attracts and serves as points of convergence for patients at rest hours. The attraction of the photos enables patients to socialize among themselves, share common concerns and forget about their discomfort. Such fraternity among patients from different locations temporary brings relief which is crucial in the healing process and we are very grateful to Healing Photo Art Foundation.” Omar Nurudeen, District Health Services Administrator, Ghana, Africa “We tend to associate hospitals with sadness but Elaine’s photos change this perception. Her colorful images offer a window of color, memory and discovery, which is integral to any healing process. Changing people’s lives, room by room, wall by wall…these are the beacons of light and hope our world needs, day by day.” Elettra Fiumi, New York, NY “Your work is spectacular, and the framed photographs have added a wonderful dimension to the Breast Center… We hear very positive comments frequently from our patients and their families about the photographs. Patients have told us the pictures provide a sense of calm and hope, and how the pictures remind them of a happy time in their life. Your gift to the Breast Health Center was… deeply appreciated by all of us who work caring for women with breast problems, and most of all, by our patients. We have all been touched by your generous donation of such a personal and beautiful gift. Your work is obviously a labor of love, and we feel privileged to be the beneficiary of such kindness.” Virginia Herrmann, M.D., Breast Health Center, Washington Univ. School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO