A Walk in the Park at PIMC

Wall art by Gary Wallace – Contributed photo

It can be fun going to the doctor—especially if you’re a child!

Thanks to Peace Island Volunteers and a talented and generous artist, the pediatric exam room at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center has become a “walk in the park.”

At the request of caregivers at the medical center, Peace Island Volunteers agreed to sponsor the installation of a fun mural in the pediatric exam room to put children’s minds at ease during their medical appointments.

Wall art by Gary Wallace – Contributed photo

The volunteers contacted Gary Wallace, a Kent, Wash., artist and frequent visitor to Friday Harbor, to see if he would be willing to take on the project. Not only did he agree to design and paint the mural, he volunteered his time and donated all the paint and materials.

“The medical center can be a scary place to a child,” says Merry-Ann Keane, chief administrative officer for PeaceHealth Peace Island. “Gary has created a vibrant and engaging mural that will help to calm kids’ jitters. We are profoundly appreciative of his talent and generosity.”

To make the room nonthreatening and calming, Wallace created a park theme with a whimsical assortment of trees, flowers, a happy-faced sun, a flying kite and several fun animals. Every wall in the room has an eye-catching painting to capture and occupy the minds of little ones.

Asked what motivated him to take on this project, Wallace said, “In these times it’s especially important that we show support for our community and each other. We all have something we can do that will benefit others. For me, it was to paint little critters on the walls of an exam room in the medical center. To a frightened, injured or sick child, those images might make the visit a little less scary. It’s a small contribution to be sure, but it was something I could do.”

Peace Island Volunteers provided funds for the room’s furnishings, including a clock, bookshelves, a park-like bench, and a white board to display children’s artwork. The volunteer group exists to support the medical center, and is a separate nonprofit, charitable organization.

About PeaceHealth: Based in Vancouver, Wash., PeaceHealth is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, a 10-bed Critical Access Hospital in Friday Harbor, serves communities in the San Juan Islands. Key services include general and orthopedic surgery, oncology, behavioral health and primary care. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.