West Holt Medical Services Break Ground On Healing Garden

Pictured left to right: Wettlaufer Landscapes and Garden Center employee Brent Lemmer and owner, Kenny Wettlaufer and Foundation Director Jessica Prussa

Patients in Atkinson will soon have a new place for personal reflection and healing.​

According to a press release, West Holt Medical Services will soon open a dedicated space where patients, visitors and staff members can reflect and renew their spirits. The healing garden will be located on the south side of the hospital, just outside the emergency room entrance and will be home to plants, flowers and other naturally inspiring scenery designed to offer a quiet oasis and a place of solitude for patients, visitors and staff.

Due to the generosity of donors, $9,500 has been given to West Holt Medical Services Foundation for the completion of the garden.

“The Foundation is continually working on ways to better support West Holt Medical Services to provide quality care to patients in our community. Inspired by employees and generous donors, our healing garden is an opportunity to do just that. I am thrilled to see this project to completion,” expressed Foundation Director Jessica Prussa.

The Center for Health Design identifies nature as one of the key factors that reduces patient and staff stress and leads to better patient outcomes and staff satisfaction.

In addition, the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAHO) recommends that "Patients and visitors should have opportunities to connect with nature through outside spaces, plants, indoor atriums and views from windows."

Wettlaufer Landscapes and Garden Center was commissioned to design and build the healing garden.

The healing garden is a tangible example of West Holt Medical Services’ fulfilling its mission to provide well-rounded family healthcare with respect and understanding for the physical and emotional needs of our North Central Nebraska communities.

The garden will feature several opportunities for honoring a loved one through a memorial gift. These opportunities include personalized plaques and decorative planters filled with annual flowers to be seen by all who enter the garden. 100% of donations will go directly towards the Healing Garden Fund to help maintain our garden for years to come with our donor’s loved ones in mind.

To make a memorial donation to the Foundation’s Healing Garden Fund please contact Foundation Director, Jessica Prussa at (402) 925-1956.

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