Breakthroughs

ART TILES SERVE AS INSPIRATIONAL DISPLAY AT MBMC

SEPTEMBER 08, 2009

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Despite starting only two years ago, the “Your Square Matters” project now includes more than 800 tiles, all displayed as symbols of inspiration and hope at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

The first sets of tiles were placed on a column June 21, 2007, in conjunction with the opening of the new Cancer Center at MBMC. The “Your Square Matters” project was started under the leadership of Vicki Friedman, director of MedPIC at Washington University and a certified art therapist.

Before the opening of the new Cancer Center, a group was formed to discuss complementary therapies, including art, massage and music therapy. Now, all of these are being offered to patients at the Cancer Center. Trained volunteers provide massages, and employees can offer to give musical performances.

For art therapy, patients can bring in their children or other family members to join them in painting tiles. Painting the tiles provides a way for patients to express themselves and can help bring families closer during the hard times they experience through the cancer journey. All of the tiles are then displayed on columns in the Cancer Center.

The tiles contain a wide variety of images, ranging from flowers, to hearts, to spiritual pictures. The tiles not only help bring families closer together, but also can help patients in their recovery, says Roslyn Hofstein, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker and MBMC supportive care coordinator. Painting tiles together can help spark discussion and create a better mood and atmosphere for everyone, she says.

I don’t see an end to this project,” Hofstein says. “We have countless columns and offices where tiles could be displayed.”

Aside from being displayed, tiles also can be printed onto greeting cards, which families can order. A catalogue with sample greeting cards is available to view, but families can also custom order by choosing certain tiles they want.

The “Your Square Matters” tiles serve as memories, hope and inspiration to those who see them — representing one of the goals the Cancer Center had sought to achieve with complementary therapy.