By ANN POWERS
Observer staff writer
Regional artist Donna Knight is helping hospital patients heal — posthumously.
Knight was a patient at Lovelace Westside Hospital who died from mesothelioma in March, two weeks shy of her 75th birthday. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen.
Before the Rio Rancho resident passed, family members said she frequently mentioned there were “so many more beautiful things to see” and it would be nice if “someone painted that ugly air-conditioning unit blocking the view” from her hospital room.
So, somebody did and on Thursday, Lovelace unveiled the work of four local artists who adorned the hospital’s rooftop AC units with colorful murals of flowers, landscapes and positive messages wishing patients a speedy recovery. The work was dedicated in Knight’s memory.
“It’s a beautiful distraction from being sick,” explained Ashley Dunworth, a Lovelace nutrition services tech, who said she was “lucky” to have helped care for Knight during her stay. “I was really inspired by her.”
Following Knight’s death, Dunworth used that inspiration to mobilize a seven-month-long effort in transforming the units into healing views for patients.
“It’s been a wonderful collaboration,” Dunworth said of the project involving dozens of Lovelace employees, community members and University of New Mexico art students volunteering their time and talents.
The actual artwork was completed by two hospital staff members and two UNM students. Others helped organize, plan and garner support for the endeavor.
“A big part of healing is the emotional and spiritual side,” noted Dunworth. “And art can definitely help with that. It takes patients away from their stresses and anxiety.”
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare report incorporating the arts into healthcare settings helps improve patients’ overall outcomes. Studies show it can also have an economic benefit in terms of shorter hospital stays, less medication and fewer complications — which translates to a reduction in healthcare costs.
Knight’s daughter, Fran Greth, attended last week’s reception honoring her mother and unveiling of the murals.
“She was an artist and would’ve been so proud and happy to see this,” Greth said. “She loved the care she got here. It’s a very good hospital and the staff has been so kind.”
Lovelace officials said the murals can be seen from several patient rooms and they hope the project inspires more artwork to be included in healthcare programs.
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