News

Myra Xu, Norway (P582)

Many thanks to Myra Xu, our new Contributing Photographer, for her lovely photo!

Myra comments, “I found Healing Photo Art when I was studying abroad in Florence, looking for an opportunity to engage with local culture and make a positive impact. The prospect of using my photography to bring comfort, hope, and healing to individuals in local hospitals resonated deeply with my values and professional goals. Elaine’s kindhearted nature and genuine compassion also shone through in every interaction I’ve had with her as a student intern and contributing photographer, fostering a sense of purpose and community that fuels our collective efforts. I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this amazing organization!”

Nicolo’ Petrocchi, Lucca, Italy (P580)

Welcome to our new Contributing Photographer, Nicolo’ Petrocchi!

Nicolo’ comments, “As a high school student passionate about photography, I saw my passions for nature and photography embodied by the Healing Photo Art Foundation’s mission. Elaine and I personally met to discuss the possibility of me becoming a contributing photographer. Having submitted my photos, officially becoming a contributing photographer and presenting the foundation to my school was not the best part. My favorite thing is being overwhelmed with joy every time Elaine tells me about my pictures being requested and patients telling her how much they like my photos. This foundation is something different, unprecedented in its mission and obliging with the community, especially with those people in physical or mental agony who need to find relief and, what better way than to let them experience the beauty and colors of our Earth through their own eyes?”

Marco Alexander Rodriguez, Florida USA (P583)

Many thanks to Marco Alexander Rodriguez, our new Contributing Photographer, for his lovely photo!

Marco comments, “I had always wondered where the art in hospitals came from. After conducting some research, I discovered this foundation for Photos and art in Hospitals. I admired the foundation’s mission to give comfort and hope to patients, families, and caretakers. Photography is an activity I enjoy doing in my free time. I did not know that my pictures could help others until I stumbled across Ms. Elaine Poggi’s website, where I was able to become a contributing photographer and donate my image with ease. I am thankful to her and the foundation for giving me the opportunity to make my everyday hobby of taking pictures become so much more.”

Sierra Sinclair Stanford, North Carolina USA (P581)

Welcome to Sierra Sinclair Stanford, our new Contributing Photographer!

Sinclair comments, “Elaine’s story is beautiful, and this is an amazing organization. When I found the Healing Photo Art website, I admired their mission and was fascinated by the beautiful pictures in the galleries. I emailed Elaine inquiring on how to be a contributing photographer. Elaine responded quickly and within a week my photo was accepted into the Healing Photo Art gallery. I look forward to contributing more photos to and spreading the world about The Foundation for Photo Art in Hospitals!”

Sydney Tomes, Minnesota USA (P579)

Many thanks to Sydney Tomes, our new Contributing Photographer, for her lovely photo!

Sydney comments, “I am so excited to have my art be a part of Healing Photo Art. I heard about Healing Photo Art through my public health class at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I have many friends and family that are currently in different hospitals in Minnesota and it has saddened me to hear about all of the white walls they see when they are stuck in the hospital. I love taking photos, and I am excited that I get to share one of my photos! I hope that my photo brings healing and happiness to patients!”

Inauguration of photo project at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, NY

Celebrating 21 years of placing more than 11,000 nature art photos where they are needed most in more than 600 healthcare facilities on all 7 continents! Our work continues…

Mei-lin Lew, Hawaii USA (P578)

Welcome Mei-lin Lew, our new Contributing Photographer! Enjoy her lovely photo of the Ko’olau Mountain Range on Oahu, Hawaii

Mei-lin comments, “I am honored to have my work featured by the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals website and in the selection to be displayed in hospitals across the world. I’m really proud to be able to contribute to this wonderful program and be able to help people in any way I can during challenging times. I found the Foundation through Florence University of the Arts and instantly thought it was an amazing idea and I wanted to take part. Special thanks to Elaine for her kindness, support, and patience throughout the entire process.”

Sofia Del Fratte, North Carolina USA (P576)

Many thanks to Sofia Del Fratte, our new Contributing Photographer!

Sofia comments, “I first learned about Healing Photo Art through my public health class at the University of Minnesota Duluth. My professor mentioned how wonderful the foundation is and how she is a contributing photographer. I wouldn’t call myself a professional photographer but I do love to take photos of the things around me! So when I sent a few to Elaine I was happy to hear that one of the photos was going to go on the website. I love how my photo is going to bring patients joy and happiness! I am so grateful to be a part of this awesome Foundation!”

Michael Smith, Colorado USA (P577)

Enjoy this lovely photo by our new Contributing Photographer, Michael Smith!

Michael comments, “I recently learned about the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals from a local friend who is also a photographer and contributor to this wonderful organization. I’ve been a photography enthusiast for about 20 years now and was very pleased to learn about this great outlet for my photography. I’m so happy to know that my photography can bring joy and peacefulness to patients and caregivers in hospitals. Elaine has been wonderful to work with and a special thanks to her for making this happen!”

Bjorn Gillsater, Florence, Italy (P575)

Many thanks to Bjorn Gillsater, our new Contributing Photographer, for this amazing photo of Florence’s Duomo!

Bjorn comments, “Very inspiring and creative. It’s important to share the beauty of Florence and the inspiration that the rich cultural life gives, as a way to offer joy, hope and distraction.”

Linda Karins, Missouri USA (P574)

Enjoy this colorful sunflower photo by our new Contributing Photographer, Linda Karins!

Linda comments, “I stumbled upon the Healing Photo Art Foundation while reading our coworker newsletter at Mercy Hospital St. Louis and instantly knew I wanted to get involved! Nature found me during the darkest days of the pandemic, bringing light and hope to all my senses. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share a little part of myself that might just bring a sigh of peacefulness or a joyful memory to another person who may be feeling uncomfortable, alone at an uncertain time, and vulnerable. Thank you to Elaine Poggi for bringing her vision to life with this beautiful mission to soothe the soul through photo art! Elaine’s international project to encourage the healing properties of nature in hospital rooms throughout the world exemplifies what the pandemic taught us all – that we are forever interconnected.”

Sarah Grossen, Virginia USA (P573)

Many thanks to our new Contributing Photographer, Sarah Grossen!

Sarah comments, “I am deeply honored that I get to share pieces from a hobby that heals me with an organization that is able to share it further to serve others. Right as I stumbled on the website, I knew that I wanted to be involved in the work that Healing Photo Art is doing. Thank you, Elaine, for the opportunity to contribute to the truly amazing mission to facilitate healing through art!”

Elsa Ganet, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France (P566)

Enjoy this lovely field of poppies by our new Contributing Photographer, Elsa Ganet!

Elsa comments, “I am honoured to have my work featured by the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals website and in the selection to be displayed in hospitals across the world. I’ve been an amateur photographer for over 13 years and I’m really proud to be able to contribute to this wonderful program and be able to help people in any way I can during such a difficult time. I found the Foundation through social media and instantly thought it was an amazing idea and I wanted to take part in any way I could. Elaine has been very kind, helpful and patient during all of the process!”

Jonathan Warren, Glendhu Bay, New Zealand (P567)

Welcome to our new Contributing Photographer, Jonathan Warren!

Jonathan comments, “I am absolutely honored to have my work included in the selection of pieces to be included in hospitals. Having been a photographer for years, I’ve always wondered what are the best ways to get my photos out into the world and help improve people’s day, and now I’ve found it. Elaine has created a wonderful non-profit with an amazing goal that is crucial to improve quality of care for patients! I’m so happy I stumbled upon her site while doing some research in wellness and was met with this opportunity.”

Yvonne Coyle, Massachusetts USA (P571)

Many thanks to our new Contributing Photographer, Yvonne Coyle!

Yvonne comments, “I am so honored to have my photography used by the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals and to get the chance to help patients, and their families. When I read about this wonderful program helping people heal with art I thought that is such a good organization and I would love to be part of it by sharing some of my photography and a big thank you to Elaine for walking me through the process!”

Nivita Thomas, Virginia USA (P570)

Welcome to our new Contributing Photographer, Nivita Thomas.  Nivita is 15 years old, one of our youngest photographers!

Nivita comments, “Community work is always in my mind. Often times, I would think being just a school student how far I could go to be of service to others. During my summer vacation this year, I was just browsing casually and I stumbled upon this prestigious organization. I was in wonder when I learned that something like simple photos that we can contribute can impact and bring tremendous inward joy, calmness and peace into the hearts of people at the hospitals all across the world. I reached out to Elaine immediately. All I can say is she is the sweetest person and her messages back to me were so kind and genuine guiding me to send exactly what she needs to carry out this noble mission.
This is an awesome inspiring opportunity for young people like me. I cannot be physically there with every patient and medical professional in every hospitals but deep down in my heart I know that I have connected with each one of their hearts through Elaine’s foundation and contribute in a simple way that I can to encourage them. I look forward to keep contributing and working with Elaine.”

Elaine Poggi, Tuscany, Italy (C138)

Enjoy the beauty of this sunflower field in Tuscany!

William Vergonet, Georgia USA (P568)

Enjoy this lovely photo of our new Contributing Photographer, William Vergonet!

William comments, “I use photography as a release and / or a therapy of sorts.  I have a stressful career and photography allows me a chance to break away from that daily and focus on beautiful things and moments. Photography helps me and so I am extremely excited and honored, to have my work used by the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals. Just the thought that one of my images can maybe help in someone’s recovery , or help in any way, is just out of this world an amazing feeling. I really love what Elaine is doing here and want to support the foundation in any way I can. “

Caitlin Garvey, Virginia USA (P562)

Welcome to our new Contributing Photographer, Caitlin Garvey!

Caitlin comments, “I am so grateful to have found Elaine and the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals. When my parents were in hospitals, we discovered first-hand how important nature is to the healing process. The peace and comfort derived from nature is critical at all times, but especially so in hospitals and other such institutions. My personal experience led me to try to find a way to get my images into hospitals as a means of helping other families, and I was so happy to discover the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals. I am honored to have my work included in such a mission to bring healing photo art to hospitals around the world.”

Larry Baumgardt, Florida USA (P564)

Many thanks to our new Contributing Photographer, Larry Baumgardt!

Larry comments, “After over 50 years, I recently re-connected with one of my Northwestern college roommates. Photography then and now is my passion and I shared some of my photographs with Louis. He suggested that I connect with his friend Elaine Poggi, president of the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals. She requested some sample images, and then asked for a few that she had selected. I had never heard of her organization, but the more I learned the more impressed I became. I am pleased and proud to play a small role in such a worthy charity.”

Bella O’Rourke, Amalfi, Italy (P565)

Welcome to our new Contributing Photographer, Bella O’Rourke!

Bella comments, “I was an intern this summer with the Foundation and had an amazing experience. I was lucky to work alongside Elaine Poggi, who was a great mentor and boss. The foundation has enhanced my skills in social media content creation along as expanded my knowledge on photography.”

Barbara C Phillips, Missouri USA (P563)

Many thanks to Barbara C Phillips, our new Contributing Photographer!

Barbara comments, “I don’t remember exactly how I found the Foundation, I believe another photographer mentioned it. But I was immediately on board. Having worked in healthcare as an RN and as a Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years, I am intimately familiar with how light, color, and design can impact my patients’ mood and ultimately well being. This is true no matter the setting…from hospitals to clinics, to therapy offices. In fact, many of my images today are created with a therapeutic environment in mind. I appreciate being able to contribute.”

Julia Robak, Virginia USA (P561)

Welcome to Julia Robak, our new Contributing Photographer!

Julia comments, “I found the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals while searching for meaningful ways to share my photography and was immediately impressed! I contacted Elaine and she was very kind and helpful, and extremely quick to respond. My career has me working inside the walls of a hospital and I grew up volunteering in one as well so I know that the institutional feeling inside these places can be less than comforting. I am glad to be able to contribute art to this cause and hopefully bring someone a bit of peace during a difficult time.”

Sarah Kohrs, West Virginia USA (P560)

Many thanks to Sarah Kohrs, our new Contributing Photographer!

Sarah comments, “Art has a cathartic impact on those that make it and those that view. The mission of Healing Photo Art aligns with so many aspects of the creative arts that I hold dear: from encouraging others to fostering an appreciation for nature. I’m grateful to have an outlet for my photographic art that promotes positive connection and inspiring impact. Thanks, Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals!”