Volunteers Help Beautify Washington County Hospital Campus
Several volunteers lent a hand beautifying the Washington County Hospital campus Saturday.
By Leah Williams
A group of volunteers spent their weekend painting and cleaning up around the hospital in hopes of making over the hospital grounds.
The Washington County Hospital Beautification Group was hard at work on Saturday, September 26, on several projects that will renovate the hospital entrance.
Dr. Ginger Fewell said the idea to improve the outer appearance of the hospital dates back to this summer during the Nashville Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony of the Advanced Wound Care Center. There was discussion about where a good photo opportunity could be.
“It was decided then that there needed to be improvements,” Fewell said.”Then it kind of snowballed from there.”
Hospital volunteers from various departments signed up to participate in the WCH Beautification Group, where they brainstormed about what could be done around the campus.
“It’s been really exciting that people want to make it look nice,” Fewell said.
WCH President Brian Monsma said the coronavirus pandemic redirected traffic to the entrance.
“It’s a sense of pride,” Monsma said. “It’s about getting all the departments together. You started to see the areas and we wanted it to look better for the community and our patients. We are excited about continuing the work.”
Some of the projects included replacing the shrubs around the main sign, painting railings, clearing out debris and other improvements.
Fewell said another project involves creating a picnic area in between the east wing and the Rural Health clinic. Residents from the Washington County Long-Term Care Unit painted square pavers, which will be placed in the area for staff and visitors to enjoy.
“Everyone who works here, we just love the people on this wing,” she said. “And for them, this is their home. We just wanted to represent them.”
Another future plan later this spring when the parking lot is scheduled to be repaved is to replace the yellow rock and extend out the concrete to provide better mobility for patients coming and going from the hospital.
