Arbor Day Tree Planted for UAMS Myeloma Patients

By Spencer Watson

From left: Richard Alcala, Christina Ketchum, R.N., Lisa Malone R.N., and Melonese Clarke, R.N., step outside to pin the first wish onto the crabapple tree planted to honor the hospital’s myeloma patients.

Moved inside due to weather, Alcala distributes cards for patients to write wishes and prayers on during the planting ceremony.

“We’re planting this tree as a sign of hope for patients. Each spring when this tree blossoms, it brings new life, new comfort and new hope – and hopefully a reminder to these patients that there is hope, there is change,” said Richard Alcala, activity and volunteer coordinator and patient care technician.

Alcala said the tree was donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement. The idea of planting it was inspired by UAMS’ designation as a Tree Campus USA, given by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation to college campuses that promote planting and tending to trees.

The tree, a symbol of strength and hope, is planted in a spot where patients can eaily see it from a seventh floor window.

“A couple years ago, med students planted trees around the campus to become designated as a Tree Campus USA. But I thought, ‘why not do it for our patients? Why not do something to honor them?’”

Alcala said he’s pleased to have the crabapple tree, as it will not only be a visible addition easily spotted from windows on the seventh floor, where many myeloma patients stay, but also its fruit will be an environmentally friendly addition, feeding birds and squirrels – maybe even keeping the latter out of the nearby tulips.

“This is our first time doing something like this,” said Alcala, who often helps lift spirits by organizing activities like bingo or Jeopardy!-style trivia games. Patients, he said, have been looking forward to seeing the tree planted to have “something that lasts.”

The crabapple tree, planted on Arbor Day on Hooper Drive directly across from UAMS Medical Center, was donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement to honor the hospital’s myeloma patients.

“Some patients come here from far away, from across the country and from foreign countries. But this is not a place you’d usually choose to spend weeks at a time being away from your home and family. So we adopt them into our family, take care of them 24 hours a day. And this tree is going to give them a little reminder of how we feel about them.”