A healing getaway

Colorful trees and shrubs and the memory of lifelong healer is how Culpeper Regional Hospital plans to help cancer patients relax and begin the healing process before they even step into the door.

Green Gate Studio Landscape Architects recently completed an expansion of the healing garden by the new radiation oncology facility at CRH. With an updated entry, the Dr. Christopher Zielinski Healing Garden will offer plenty of comfortable places to relax.

The garden was founded in memory of Zielinski, who passed away in 2004. Zielinski served on the CRH medical staff and was known for his commitment to his patients and staff. Gifts from the community have supported the growth and ongoing transformation of the garden.

The new entry was designed by Gayle Shelden, ASLA, Principal Landscape Architect at Green Gate Studio Landscape Architects. Shelden knows a thing or two about healing. In addition to her work as a licensed landscape architect, she is also a practicing occupational therapist, treating patients in the Physical Therapy and Outpatient Department at the Powell Wellness Center.

She approaches her designs for health care facilities from both perspectives, designing environments that are both beautiful and restorative.

“As an occupational therapist, I recognize how stressful it is for patients to undergo cancer treatment, and as a landscape architect, I know that the health benefits of exposure to nature and gardens are well-proven,” said Shelden. “Healing landscapes produce benefits ranging from enhanced immune system functions to improved attention and mental functions.”

Patients undergoing cancer treatment often complain of changes in their ability to perform important mental functions, including attention, memory and decision-making. A 2003 study of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer found that those subjects who engaged in regular “restorative” experiences involving nature demonstrated better return of their attention and concentration compared to control subjects.

Study author Bernadine Cimprich, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Michigan School of Nursing, concludes, “Importantly, over time, engaging in natural restorative activities supports reflection that involves 'clearing the head' of unfinished thoughts and interactions, making sense of events, and confronting nagging or painful problems. The overall benefits of regular interactions with the natural environment are a rested attention capacity and improved mental clarity.”

The healing garden is also designed to offer beautiful views to patients in the waiting and treatment areas. A sculpture will be added in the future to make the entry even more welcoming.

“It was a joy to design this new healing garden for the H.O.P.E. and radiation oncology patients and staff, who will feel the benefits from the moment they get out of their car as they enter this amazing facility,” said Shelden.

About Green Gate Studio

Green Gate Studio is a full-service Landscape Architecture firm located in Warrenton, Virginia. Founded in 2010, Green Gate focuses on providing healing landscapes and sustainable design solutions for residential, commercial and health care industry clients. While the firm has the capability and expertise to serve a broad range of clients and project types, it approaches each project individually with personalized, hands-on service and custom detailing. Green Gate emphasizes environmental sensitivity and sustainable practices and celebrates creativity by offering distinctive design solutions and healing, therapeutic outdoor environments.