“Variety of form and brilliancy of color in the object presented to patients are an actual means of recovery.” ~ Florence Nightingale

By Mary O’KEEFE

The art of healing is being explored in the hallways of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. The current Healing Arts Exhibit, now on display on the third and fourth floors of the hospital, examines how art can positively affect the lives of people. On Sunday, hospital supporters, and art lovers, came together at the USC-VHH to celebrate the new exhibit.

Sue Wilder is a hospital volunteer and a co-chair for the Healing Arts Exhibits.

“The event was to [show] the two permanent exhibits, one from Gayle Garner Roski and the other from Kitty Keck,” Wilder said.

Roski’s illustration for the book “The Crooked Man, His Doctor and His Angel” is part of the exhibit. The book is about a trip to Guatemala with Operation Walk, an organization that helps people walk.

Operation Walk was found by Lawrence D. Dorr, M.D., professor of clinical orthopedic surgery in the Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Dorr is a world-renowned leader in joint replacement surgery who has pioneered various techniques. After a teaching visit to Russia, Dorr realized he could teach physicians best by demonstrating, as opposed to just describing the surgery. He also realized that he could take his surgical skills to the poorest areas and not only help patients but also teach doctors in those towns and villages. And thus began Operation Walk.

The artwork that is now permanently on display at the hospital chronicles the visit to Guatemala by Dorr and Roski and the surgery of Rogelio Montepeque Estrada who, after years of trying to get surgery on his knees, was finally treated.

Keith Hobbs, CEO of USC VHH, said the artwork not only helps the patients but the staff as well, many who have participated in Operation Walk.

Operation Walk does not only help patients in other countries; Dorr also helps those in the area who do not have insurance but need surgery. Miguel Barajas is from Los Angeles County and has benefited from Dorr’s Operation Walk – not once but twice.

In 2007 Barajas, a golf caddy, needed a hip surgery but did not have the means to pay for the surgery. Dorr was able to replace his left hip, and then recently replaced his right hip.

Barajas, who was at Sunday’s event with wife Marie and 5-year-old daughter Victoria, said prior to the surgery he suffered from a lot of pain, but he had to work. So each morning he would go to his job where he carried a 60-to-80-pound golf bag, and then walked six to seven miles on the golf course.

Now he is back to work without pain.

“This was a blessing,” he said of the surgery.

Keck’s artwork is a series of photos taken with her cellphone. They are colorful and clever, and bring smiles to those who view them.

In addition to the permanent artist exhibits, there is also a rotation program of local artists, like Richard Gallego.

Wilder said she and co-chair Julie Shadpa began to work with the USC Keck art program but, when it came time to bring the program to VHH, they had a suggestion.

“I thought we are a community hospital, I am sure we have a lot of local artists,” Wilder said.

So she put out the word that they were looking for original art and got an immediate response from numerous local artists.

“We are booked through 2019 and [have] two potential artists for the beginning of 2020,” she said.

The arts program is appreciated by patients and staff alike, and adds to the overall feel of welcoming at the hospital.

“Studies consistently have shown that images of nature and familiar scenery have a positive impact on the hospital environment,” according to a hospital statement.

“The healing art does not stop at the exhibit; they reach into the patients’ rooms as well with the help of a full-time art therapist who provides clinical support sessions to strengthen positive coping, cognitive skills and self-expression for seniors facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other psychiatric illnesses at VHH’s geropsychiatric unit,” stated USC-VHH.

  Mary Okeefe