Imprint Making your mark on community health - Allina Health

The Birth Center
project is seen as only
the beginning of a
robust art collection
the hospital hopes to
collect in the coming
years. As the collection
grows, viewers will
see many mediums
represented from
paintings in oil, acrylic
and watercolor to
drawings, mosaic
works, glass, textile
art, photography
and sculpture. If you
would like to make
a donation to this
ongoing project,
contact Buffalo
Hospital Foundation
at 763-684-6800.
Art collection to be part of new Birth Center
It has long been known that art can be
therapeutic to one’s mind, body and spirit.
Connecting people with the power of art
at key moments of their lives can transform
his or her health care experience. Art
can add to physical, mental and emotional
recovery, including relieving anxiety and
decreasing the perception of pain.
Andrew Burgdorf, MD, Allina Medical
Clinic – Buffalo, began forming ideas
several years ago about creating a holistic
healing element into the hospital. The new
Birth Center provides that opportunity.
“I see it as a chance to showcase local
artists and their work, promoting
regional settings and local flavors,” said
Burgdorf. “This project is a perfect fit
with Allina’s healing environment
objectives. Art reaches the viewer on
many levels – inspiring, motivating,
engaging parts of people’s bodies or
brains and allowing them to transcend
their environment for a little while.”
As the new Birth Center comes together,
so is Burgdorf’s dream. Local residents
John and Mary Ellen Lundsten gave
Buffalo Hospital Foundation a generous
gift, allowing Burgdorf’s plan to become
a reality.
“We have had the personal experience
of art being a healing influence in the
health care setting,” says John Lundsten.
“It brings us great pleasure to be able to
provide this for the community and
begin a healing art collection that will
benefit visitors, patients and staff at
Buffalo Hospital in a meaningful way.”
Local artist and arts advocate, Meredith
Johanson has been chosen as the coordinator
of the healing arts projects.
“Art has a profound effect on the human
spirit,” says Johanson. “Nature as a subject
can be seen as a ‘neutral unifier’ of our
healing environment, allowing the
viewer to access their own emotions in
response to viewing the art rather than
being presented with an emotional image.
“Within nature we find all elements of
beauty, birth, healing, regeneration and
resolution. Bringing nature into our manmade
world softens its impact and offers
a wide array of subjects.”
Johanson is especially excited about the
local connection. “Using art from local
artists brings our community into the
hospital and showcases the amazing
amount of talent we have in the area.
How fun it will be for hospital visitors to
see work their friend, relative or neighbor
made. I’m hoping it will make the experience
a little more personal for them.”