Boards

Board of Directors

Elaine Poggi – Founder and President, Florence, Italy
Michele K. Spike, Esq. – Secretary, Williamsburg, VA
Stephanie Hallahan – Assistant Secretary, St. Louis, MO
Rosemary Strembicki – Treasurer, St. Louis, MO
Linda Ahrold – St. Louis, MO
Anne Carman – St. Louis, MO
Kristi Foster – St. Louis, MO
JoAnne Levy – St. Louis, MO

International Advisory Board

Francesco Di Costanzo, MD, Florence, Italy
Elisa Wiley Harrison, Florence, Italy
Silvia Poggi Sarne’, New York, NY
Karen Simonton, Malibu, CA
Raymond P. Smith, MD, Brentwood, MO
John T. Spike, Williamsburg, VA
Dianne Stitzlein, Chesterfield, MO
Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D., CHES, Duluth, MN
Lisa Vogelsang, Ph.D., Duluth, MN
Judith Weiss Levy, St. Louis, MO

“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