Mobile, Ala. (March 5, 2008)
Contact: Amanda MacDonald or Paul Taylor, USA Public Relations, (251) 470-1682 |
 Unique Clinic Opens To Provide
Specialty Care For Children In Our Region
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| Dr. Hamayun Imran, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Dr. Ron Franks, Vice President for Health Sciences; Jaycee Duke, an eight-year-old patient; Ashlynn Cohen, a ten-year-old patient; Dr. Aarati Rao, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Dr. Loran Clement, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics; Lynette Meyers, Cabana Row Muralist; and Dr. Felicia Wilson, Associate Professor of Pediatrics open Cabana Row during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. |
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Today officials at the University of South Alabama held an open house to dedicate Cabana Row, a new outpatient pediatric oncology and hematology treatment center.
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Taking its cues from a beach resort, Cabana Row is decorated with a brightly-colored murals designed to allow the young patients a visual escape from the reason that brought them to the doctor’s office.
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The halls and the ten rooms were painted by local artist, Lynette Meyers, of Ocean Springs, Miss, who has donated her time and talents into transforming the functional clinic space into one that recognizes the importance of environment in the pediatric healthcare setting.
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“The murals give patients a pleasant distraction from the otherwise unpleasant experience. Research indicates that art can be used to help in coping and improve the outcomes of children who are dealing with illness,” said Dr. Felicia Wilson, who leads the USA Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
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Meyers spent the last year painting the murals with complete understanding of how pleasant distractions help children who are receiving treatment for their cancer. Her desire to help children and to honor the memory of her daughter Meghan is reflected in each of the murals. |
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| Wilson and her pediatric hematology/oncology partners provide care for children in Alabama, coastal Mississippi and the Florida panhandle who are diagnosed with childhood cancers and hematological conditions. |
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