Thomas and Lyon Longevity Center patient advisor Cathy Christian (left) and hospital patient advisor Molly Schwarz begin their paintings. Thomas and Lyon Longevity Center patient advisor Scott McGill works on the background of his painting. UAMS hospital patient advisor Pat Thompson (right) consults with her husband, Ron Thompson, as they apply finishing touches.

April 10, 2015 | The red hearts painted on deep blue backgrounds were the same, yet each was different.

Members of five UAMS patient and family advisory councils participated in a guided painting session in the hospital cafeteria on Tuesday, April 7.

Led by Little Rock artist Cary Collins, the 26 participants from the hospital, Thomas and Lyon Longevity Clinic, Psychiatric Research Institute, Internal Medicine North and Internal Medicine South each created a 16 x 20-inch original painting featuring a large abstract heart.

“This class provided an opportunity for our advisors to have hands-on participation in the UAMS Healing Arts program, which creates a restorative and calming environment for patients, visitors and UAMS staff by integrating visual arts and music into the healing process,” said Barbie Brunner, director of patient- and family-centered care for UAMS Medical Center. “We chose a heart for our painting class because it represents the symbol of patient- and family-centered care at UAMS.

“One of the greatest values of our advisors is the diverse backgrounds and experiences they bring to the table when helping us form policies and programs here at UAMS,” she said. “It was really interesting to see this same diversity in the art they created. And, just like their opinions and values, each of their artistic creations brings an important perspective to the institution.”

The painting session was funded by a grant from the UAMS Medical Center Auxiliary. The paintings will be on temporary display in the hospital and clinics in the coming months, and then advisors will have the option to keep their own creation.