CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital unveiled a mural for staff members Wednesday afternoon to recognize their efforts during the pandemic.
Unlike other paintings, the subjects were part of the creative process.
“This was created as essentially a giant paint by number,” said artist Stacy Lazzara. “Everyone within the hospital was welcome to come and take a section and contribute.”
Roughly a thousand squares were painted by nurses, technicians, respiratory therapists and even the hospital president over the last month.
The mural reflected several memories experienced by hospital staff over the last several months including a prayer service where community members parked their cars outside the Winfield hospital and shined their lights on the building.
“We took specific imagery from photos that have been taken over the past couple of years, from thank you cards that have been sent in by actual patients and families, things like that,” said Lazarra. “We hope it will just spark a little bit of joy and positivity and kind of bring that journey full circle.”
Related
Vice President of Operations Angie Black told WBBM Newsradio the coronavirus pandemic has had a tremendous impact on staff, both positive and negative.
“We really wanted to be able to celebrate what they've been through, celebrate the positives, but also just say, thank you and show our gratitude for the staff that just stuck with us through this whole thing and fought the fight for our patients,” said Black.
The mural spanned across four separate panels and will be on display near an employee entrance for the next several months before each panel is given to different COVID-19 wards of the hospital.
Related
