Mission

The unique mission of the Foundation is to place large, framed photographs of nature and beautiful places from around the world in hospitals to give comfort and hope to patients and their families, visitors, and caregivers. Studies show that nature art has a beneficial effect on relieving a patient’s stress and anxiety. The photographs are intended to provide color and an atmosphere of compassion where healing is encouraged.

Guiding Principles of The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals

  • Believes that beautiful nature images can help heal the soul, which in turn helps heal the body.
  • Supports the researchers and practitioners who recognize the strong link between soothing hospital environments and patients’ improvement in health, both mental and physical.
  • Maintains that providing photos of nature and places from around the world to medical facilities will bring appreciation of the earth’s immense beauty.
  • Values the full range of human diversity and seeks to cross cultures by speaking to different personalities through nature art – almost everyone enters a hospital sometime in their life, either as a patient or as a visitor, regardless of race, sex, religious affiliation, culture, and economic level.
 
Request Photos
Read Our Reviews

Who We Help

Patients are the greatest beneficiaries of the Foundation. Evidence-Based Design and research on healing environments suggests that healing art:

  • Has the power to help the patient transcend his immediate condition and surroundings.
  • Helps keep the patient in a place of hope and security.
  • Is reassuring, grounding, and soothing.
  • Decreases the hospital stay of patients and lowers rehospitalization rates.
  • Reduces stress and speeds healing.
  • Reduces need for pain medication.
  • Lowers blood pressure.
  • Family and friends can pass the time spent visiting their loved one by dreaming about the image, where it is, how it would be to be in that place, etc.

Doctors and nurses benefit, because communication with the patient is improved.  The nature photos can be a topic of conversation to “break the ice” in a tense situation.  The art can help to increase staff satisfaction, reducing stress and staff turnover.

Administrators benefit financially when patients use less medication and have a shorter stay. A pleasant environment can also be a powerful marketing tool that can help attract patients and staff.

Sponsors benefit because it is a great way to give back to the communities they serve. The positive publicity for the sponsor can be substantial.

For all groups involved, beautiful photos of nature and places from around the world bring appreciation of the earth’s immense beauty and diversity. Nature speaks to the full range of human diversity and crosses cultures.

“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