Uniting Skies: Tribute Mural at Strong Memorial Commemorates Teamwork and Resilience Throughout the Ongoing Pandemic
In a poignant display of unity and determination, the Infection Prevention team at Strong Memorial Hospital, winners of the University of Rochester Medical Center's (URMC) prestigious Meliora Award in 2022, have commissioned a striking mural to symbolise their shared experience during the pandemic.
Created by local artist Christine Knoblauch, the mural, situated in Café 601 at Strong Memorial Hospital, features a flock of reflective birds in motion. The birds symbolise teamwork, selflessness, and resilience, embodying the spirit of the award-winning team who navigated the challenges posed by COVID with unwavering dedication.
Lynne Brown, Director of Infection Prevention, recalls the difficulties her team faced in 2020, including keeping up with the latest COVID guidance, tracking infections, and managing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for UR Medicine. "We were in a constant state of change, learning more about COVID every day," Brown said. "But through it all, our team showed remarkable resilience."
The team's efforts during the pandemic are credited with helping the organization navigate the challenges posed by COVID. Brown expresses pride in the team's accomplishments and the impact they had on the Medical Center's response to the pandemic. "We did amazing things, did hard things, and learned to work together effectively," she said.
Paul Graman, Strong's Hospital Epidemiologist, emphasises the importance of the mural conveying a sense of continuity rather than a past event. "COVID remains with us, and future pandemics may occur," he said. "This mural serves as a reminder that our work is ongoing, and we must remain vigilant and resilient in the face of these challenges."
The reflective material used in the mural allows viewers to see themselves as part of the narrative, reinforcing the collective effort and shared experience that characterised the team's work during the pandemic. The birds in the mural will be mounted on the wall beyond the edge of the frame to illustrate the ongoing nature of the work.
Mary Kay Moore, an infection preventionist, stated that the team wanted to do something larger to represent their shared experience. "We wanted a lasting tribute to our team's efforts and the impact we had on the Medical Center's response to the pandemic," Moore said.
The award included a monetary prize, which the team decided not to spend on a celebration or dinner due to COVID still being a challenge. Instead, they chose to commission the mural as a lasting testament to their resilience and the spirit of the Meliora Award.
The Meliora Award is a testament to the University of Rochester Medical Center's core value of continuous improvement and excellence. Infection prevention teams in such prestigious hospitals are often recognised with awards like the Meliora Award for their outstanding contributions to patient safety and infection control.
For more detailed insights about the mural's creation and the reflective bird symbolism, the best source would be URMC or Strong Memorial Hospital's communications or art programs, which might describe the artwork's intent and connection to the Meliora Award.
The Infection Prevention team at Strong Memorial Hospital, driven by their experience in navigating medical-conditions like COVID-19, recognized the importance of maintaining health-and-wellness and decided to commission a mural as a lasting tribute to their resilience, symbolizing science and the ongoing nature of their work. The mural, featuring reflective birds in motion, is designed to remind viewers of their role in the collective effort and the need to remain vigilant in the face of potential health challenges.
