A Brush of Kindness: Local Teen Donates Art Supplies to Brigham Patients
Volunteer Program and Training Coordinator Amy Depina Almeida (front right) with volunteers (front left) Robin Treptow, (back row from left) Petra Dujmic, Katelyn Logan, Safanah Jalal and Bella Albano
Emma Thiebault, an 11th-grade student at Beaver Country Day School in Newton, was a frequent visitor at the Brigham while her mother was a patient. Inspired to give back, Thiebault applied for and received a local grant to purchase art supplies for patients at local hospitals, including the Brigham.
“The Brigham has a special place in my heart because it was a part of my life for so long, and I wanted to give back to the place that is so important to me and my family,” said Thiebault.
Thiebault’s project, called Art for Care, aims to support people undergoing hospitalization through art and creativity.
“Art is a powerful healing tool and can be beneficial for patients,” said Thiebault. “I hope these art kits not only brighten up the days and rooms of hospital patients but also give them a way to express themselves, cope and get out their energy in a creative way.”
In November, Thiebault created and delivered approximately 150 bags of art supplies for any interested Brigham inpatient. Each bag includes a brochure of information on art, a notebook, colored pencils, watercolor and origami paper.
“The Art for Care project is an amazing addition to the holistic care we provide for our patients every day,” said Amy Bulger, MPH, RN, GERO-BC, CPHQ, director of Geriatrics Operations in the Center for Geriatric Surgery.
The project has been well received by patients.
“Patients were delighted by the friendly faces of the visitors, and they were thankful for the simple act of kindness,” said Jillian Osborne, MSN, RN, PCCN, professional development manager, Department of Medicine.
Cathleen Rowland, MSN, RN, MPH, OCN, BMTCN, professional development manager for Oncology and Medicine, agreed: “Many patients commented on how thoughtful Emma and the volunteers are for putting this together. One patient made thank you cards for the nursing staff, and another patient painted a picture for their children at home.”
Many individuals were involved in identifying interested patients and delivering the bags, including the Office of Volunteer Services, the Medical Career Exploration Volunteer Program, professional development managers, nurse directors, assistant nurse directors, clinical nurse educators, clinical nurses, patient care assistants and unit coordinators.
Volunteers delivered the bags to patients throughout the hospital, including Shapiro 10 East/West and Braunwald Tower 7ABCD, 10BCD, 12A, 12BC, 14AB and 15A.
“The volunteers were enthusiastic and thoughtful when approaching each patient, with the hope of brightening their day,” said Bulger. “Patients responded with surprised smiles and heartfelt words of thanks.”
The project was funded by Beaver Country Day School’s Alex Cohn Grant, which helps students explore their interests in a meaningful way.
“I was inspired to create Art for Care for my mom, who would’ve really loved to have this opportunity during the many times she was in the hospital,” said Thiebault.
She hopes to also inspire others to give back and share their own passions with others.
“If you can put a smile on someone’s face, do it because you can never know exactly what someone is going through, and the smallest act sometimes has the biggest impact,” said Thiebault.
Learn more about Emma Thiebault’s Art for Care project.