A Splash of Color
The pediatrics department received colorful upgrades thanks to philanthropy funds.
Recently, several upgrades were made to UF Health Jacksonville’s Pediatric Emergency Room and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, or PICU. Funds raised by volunteers and participants for UF Health Jacksonville’s Run for Heroes 5k in 2019 helped finance these changes, which included a colorful makeover to the PICU.
The hallways in the PICU now feature bold and bright murals with smiling fish and 3D turtle art installations. This new addition to the PICU is sure to bring a smile to visitors, patients and employees alike.
Artist Troy Summerell standing next to one of his 3D turtles in the UF Health Jacksonville PICU.
The artist, Troy Summerell, was hired thanks to the funds raised during run. He started his design company, OnieTonie, after being inspired as a child by his young cousin who lost his battle with leukemia.
“When I do these projects, they are not mine anymore,” Summerell said. “They belong to the community. The point is to make people happy in whatever space they are experiencing this art.”
Thanks to Summerell’s passion, this art will now bring a ray of sunshine to the children admitted to the PICU.
A beautiful mural was painted in the Pediatric Emergency waiting room.
The upgrade, made possible by philanthropy, is the second in the Pediatric Emergency Room, the first being a new treatment room and enhanced physician work space, thanks to a Florida Blue grant in 2019.
“Seeing these hallways come to life through donor support makes a dramatic impact on our patients and our staff,” said Andy Godwin, MD, chair of the department of emergency medicine. “We’re grateful and inspired, and the timing couldn’t be better after some of the most difficult months at our hospital.”
This year, the 2020 Run for Heroes 5k will be in conjunction with Tony’s Turkey Trot, which takes place on Thanksgiving Day, and proceeds will again go to support UF Health Jacksonville. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/AtlanticBeach/TonysTurkeyTrot for more information.
