The Healing Gardens at Siskin Hospital

Research shows a clear link between nature and healing including relief from symptoms and improvement in an overall sense of well-being and hopefulness.

• Close access to a garden has been proven to significantly mitigate the stress experienced by ICU family visitors, which has been compared to post-traumatic stress disorder. (Ulrich, 2019)

• Plants, according to a study conducted at the University of Technology in Sydney, reduce anxiety by 37%, hostility by 44%, and depression by 58%. Plants, on the other hand, reduced fatigue by 38%. Employees who work in plant-friendly environments have higher self-esteem and are more creative, according to a study. Many doctors are starting to recommend walking through the woods as a medicine supplement for people with a lower risk of chronic illnesses.

• Horticulture has been used to calm the senses as far back in 2000BC in Mesopotamia (“History of Horticulture”).

• Preliminary studies have reported the benefits of horticultural therapy and garden settings in reduction of pain, improvement in attention, lessening of stress, modulation of agitation, lowering of as needed medications, antipsychotics and reduction of falls. (Detweiler, 2012)

• In the USA, the therapeutic benefits of peaceful garden environments have been understood since at least the 19th century. Dr. Benjamin Rush, considered to be the "Father of American Psychiatry" in the United States, reported that garden settings held curative benefits for people with mental illness.

• Use of an outdoor garden has been proven to decrease falls in patients. 28 residents experienced about a 30% decrease for both the raw number of falls and fall severity scores after the garden opened. The raw number of falls decreased 38.7% for the high garden users compared to 7.9% for the infrequent garden users. (Detweiler, 2009)

• The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals even recommends that “patients and visitors should have opportunities to connect with nature through outside spaces, plants, indoor atriums and views from windows.”

Garden users will include patients, visitors, and associates. Positive outcomes, including stress reduction and lower blood pressure, are derived from both passive and active nature connection.

A study published in the Journal of Science in 1984 by environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich reported that patients with bedside windows looking out on leafy trees healed, on average a day faster, needed significantly less pain medication, and had fewer post-surgical complications than patients who instead saw only a brick wall.

Special design considerations, including those that appeal to various senses, will be implemented including:

• Seating with arm rests and adequate spacing for wheelchairs

• Raised garden beds and hanging baskets for easier reach.

• Walkways that encourage the visitor to slow down and look around

• Plants with different textures

• Sunny and shady areas

• Fresh herbs and flowering plants to appeal to the senses

• Artwork, such as sculptures, to promote visual stimulation

1) Increased positive patient outcomes related to reduced stress plus additional physical and occupational therapy opportunities.

2) A place for respite and well-being for families visiting Siskin Hospital.

3) Siskin Hospital can effectively contribute to the revitalization of Chattanooga’s “Wellness and Innovation” district along Third Street currently underway.

Mike & Mitsy Costello (Co-chairs)

Bruce Komiske (Advisory chair)

Matthew A. Gibson, Ph.D., FACHE, President and CEO, Siskin Hospital

Charlie Arant

Carrie Chambers

Peter Charman

Jay Dale

Fred Decosimo

Nick Decosimo

Rose Decosimo

Greg Eaves

Trudy Harper

Mike Haskew

Jones Krogh

Jeff Messinger

Roger Smith

Mike St. Charles

Edie Sutter

Jim Vaughn

Bill Wilder

Healing Gardens Facts - PDF