Honoring the deeply rooted connection between hospitals and their communities
Hospitals and Healthcare Systems are woven deeply into the fabric of their community, their roots stretching back through time. While most of us have not lived for a century, we can still appreciate the evolution of our health care from the days of Doc Jones and the Prairie Midwife – figures that may evoke a sense of nostalgia in some. But it is through history walls and timeline displays that we are truly transported on a journey back to those times. With vivid images, captivating videos, and precious artifacts, we are able to better understand and connect with the patient experiences that led to the creation of these care centers. And within these walls, we see the dedicated individuals who have made our medical system what it is today – the skilled physicians, specialists, nurses, and countless layers of support that define our healthcare landscape.
The stories that paint a picture of the medical care system before the existence of trauma centers, emergency rooms, and advanced imaging equipment are like looking through a time capsule. They serve as a stark reminder of how far we have come. It took a dedicated effort from the entire community to reach this level of advancement, and these vivid descriptions highlight the strong bond between the hospital and its community. Our current standard of medical care is built upon years of research, discovery, and practice – constantly evolving and paving the way for new training, diagnoses, procedures, and instruments that no longer rely on horse-drawn carriages. By showcasing the contributions of your hospital and staff, you are not only instilling local pride, but also instilling confidence in the expertise of your medical team.
As visitors move through the halls of our medical center, they are greeted by a series of captivating history displays. These displays not only serve as donor recognition, but also pay homage to the vital role our community has played in supporting our mission of developing medical capacity and expertise. As they wait to see friends and loved ones receiving care, visitors are able to reflect on the deep connection between our institution and the community it serves. The visuals and artifacts displayed tell a powerful story of our community’s journey towards better healthcare – from its humble beginnings to its continuous growth and prosperity. This is not just the story of our hospital, but of our entire community coming together to give back and support one another. It is a testament to the reciprocated relationship between us and those we serve with compassion and dedication.
Where To Begin – The Process of Building a History Wall
History Walls – Design
Embarking on the creation of a historical wall from its very foundations will first require the meticulous construction of a comprehensive timeline. Only then may you begin to unearth significant milestones, both for the community and your hospital, and encase them within this chronological framework. At first glance, these two entities may appear disparate, but with deeper excavation, synchronous connections are sure to emerge. In times of crisis – whether brought about by the forces of nature, such as a devastating hurricane, or through human error, such as a catastrophic fire – a quick and skilled medical response is imperative. While these events may not be remembered fondly, it is often through such tragedies that healing is ultimately incited and the unwavering resilience of those involved is revealed.
Research and discovery should be key plot points on your timeline as well. Your dedicated team of lab technicians, researchers, nursing staff, physicians, and the hospital system as a whole, were essential to the process.
Here are some examples of these types of milestones to include in your timeline.
- Profiles of doctors, nurses, or research teams and their roles in significant discoveries or breakthroughs
- Technological advances used to improve the quality of care offered to your community
- Expansion and diversification of services within the hospital
Drawing on people’s natural curiosity and love for museums, incorporating historical artifacts into a “history wall” provides a unique glimpse into the crucial role of community support in driving medical innovation. While showcasing the actual instruments themselves is impactful and tangible, limited space may prevent their physical display. In these cases, compelling photographs and visuals can effectively bring these artifacts to life, particularly when considering our use of advanced ventilators today. A photograph or visual depiction has the power to transport viewers through time, connecting the past with the present and highlighting the significant progress made in modern medicine.
History/Timeline wall featuring photos, copy and dimensional elements
Whether subtly woven into the fabric of a story or explicitly stated, time references have the power to captivate and intrigue viewers. This is why it is crucial to carefully craft and integrate them for long-term impact. Viewers interact with these displays in various ways, but they can be loosely grouped into three main categories: The Studiers, The Strollers, and The Streakers. The Studiers approach the content head-on, eager to consume every bit of information at once. The Strollers take a more leisurely stroll through the material, savoring each section before moving on. And then there are The Streakers, who crave small bursts of information that leave them wanting more, compelling them to return for additional doses. Crafting time references effectively requires considering all of these viewer behaviors and tailoring the delivery to keep them engaged and coming back for more.
Incorporating Digital
Incorporating a digital display into your history wall and timeline can serve as a striking centerpiece for information consumption in the fast-paced, technology-driven world of today’s audience. Imagine the impact of combining this with elegantly shadow-boxed artifacts, photos, and graphics to further illustrate the evolution of the community hospital over time. The vibrant pixels on a screen simply cannot do justice to the depth and richness of this historical journey.
As we put the finishing touches on our thoughtfully crafted history wall, it becomes clear that even as we cherish the past, there are moments of reverence to be found in the present and future. With ongoing support from the generous community, our health system will continue to grow and provide life-saving treatments, cutting-edge research, and revolutionary technologies. And we have already taken steps to account for this evolution. By designing a display that allows for easy updates to graphics and artifacts or can expand to accommodate future growth, we ensure a lasting connection with the community and promote operational efficiency. It is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come.
We hope this overview has been helpful, but we realize it isn’t a template you can use to fill in the blanks and proceed to production. Your project will present its own requirements, which we will gladly discuss with you. No matter what stage your donor recognition project is in, Friedman Fine Art is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation about your next history timeline wall.
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