Listen: Katie Lorain, MPS, ATR-BC, an art therapist at UC Davis Children's Hospital
Being hospitalized often means being away from family and friends. But children at UC Davis Children’s Hospital can now have their loved ones around them at all times, even if they aren't able to be there in person.
Thanks to a collaboration with wall art app,Mixtiles— which turn phone pics into 8"x8" photo tiles that stick and re-stick to walls — children at UC Davis Children’s Hospital can have photo frames surrounding their walls with images of family members, friends and even pets.
Children naturally communicate through art and play, but it can be difficult to talk about one’s feelings surrounding a diagnosis, treatment, and hospital stay. At UC Davis Children’s Hospital, art is used to help children express themselves, relate to others, and share their experiences. During art therapy sessions, patients created digital artwork, which was printed on Mixtiles and shown in an art gallery located on the pediatric unit.
“With the help of Mixtiles, they are able to display their artwork and personal photos of family and friends, which helps them relate to their peers in the hospital and members of their community at home,” said Katie Lorain, MPS, ATR-BC, an art therapist at UC Davis Children's Hospital. “When a child is hospitalized, reinforcing connections to family and friends can help children cope with their hospitalization and concentrate on healing.”
UC Davis Children's Hospital is the Sacramento region's only nationally ranked, comprehensive hospital providing care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults with primary, subspecialty and critical care. It includes the Central Valley's only pediatric emergency department and level I pediatric trauma center, which offers the highest level of care for its critically ill patients, as well as a level I children’s surgery center.
“We are delighted to be able to work with an institution as distinguished as UC Davis Children’s Hospital,” said David Katz, CEO of Mixtiles. “The great thing about Mixtiles is that our wall art can stick and re-stick to walls, allowing the children to move their artwork around the hospital, take it home with them and even bring it back with them, should they need to return. The work being done by the hospital staff on a daily basis is truly inspiring and we’re gratified to have the opportunity to bring some joy to the children through this collaboration.”