NTHC pediatric patients creating a Kaleidoscope of Colors
'Operation PaintFest' brings comfort, hope to hospitalized children

The imaginations and spirits of hospitalized kids at the North Texas Hospital for Children at Medical City Hospital soared when "Operation PaintFest: Creating Brighter Children's Hospitals" paid a visit Nov. 19-20.

Bare walls and ceilings will now bear bright images of fish, dragonflies, rainbows, kites and other lighthearted art that the youngsters have helped to create on ceiling tiles and canvases. Sponsored by the Foundation for Hospital Art in partnership with Pfizer Pediatric Health, this national program is offered to children's hospitals throughout the country.

"From the perspective of a child, hospitals can feel like infinite corridors and rooms of sterility - an uninviting whitewash of mazes," explained John Feight, executive director of The Foundation for Hospital Art. "However, rooms that invite kids to feel like they just opened a brand new jar of paint transport them from the frightening reality of illness to the welcome respite of fantasy."

Working side-by-side with their families, medical team and scores of volunteers from the hospital and the community - including the Dallas Cowboys "Rookie Club" made up of this year's rookie team - patients at NTHC created more than 400 colorful images on ceiling tiles and on 72 canvases. They will be displayed throughout the children's hospital and other areas for all to enjoy. In addition, volunteers painted fanciful images on the walls and equipment in treatment rooms in the Radiology Department and the pediatric section of the Emergency Department.

There is evidence that supports the positive correlation between the process of healing and the power of art. A May 1999 article in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that psychologically appropriate art substantially affects such patient outcomes as high blood pressure, anxiety, intake of pain medicine and length of hospital stay. In particular, representational nature art was shown to have a beneficial effect on patients experiencing stress and anxiety. The goal of "Operation PaintFest" is to provide similar therapeutic benefits for children's hospitals throughout the country.

"We're excited that we could be a part of this event," said Troy Villarreal, administrator for the pediatric hospital. "We know that art can complement the physical and emotional care we provide to the children we serve. 'Operation PaintFest' gave our patients - and our staff - an opportunity to play a vital role in creating these images - providing an inspirational backdrop to bring comfort to them and to the children who are our patients in years to come."

Around 50 volunteers from Pfizer joined scores of hospital volunteers throughout the two days to make the event a success. Ambulatory patients came to the playroom of the children's hospital to paint their tiles. Members of the Dallas Cowboys' Rookie Club helped patients confined to their beds paint the colorful images.

The Foundation for Hospital Art (www.hospitalart.com) is a non-profit organization dedicated to comforting people who suffer in hospitals by softening the hard walls and ceilings that surround them during their illness with warm, colorful designs created by the patients and scores of volunteers.

As a global leader in healthcare, Pfizer (www.Pfizer.com) works on the leading edge of medical discovery, searching for innovative healthcare solutions that help adults and children lead healthier lives. Pfizer's work has resulted in medicines that treat some of childhood's most common infections and allergies. In partnership with healthcare professionals, Pfizer Pediatric Health is dedicated to helping America's children gain better access to the high-quality care they deserve. 

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