"First we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us" Winston Churchill
Research indicates that environment plays an integral role in the
healing of the mind, body and spirit. The concept of a healing
environment was adopted by PMC during the planning phases of our
replacement facility in 1996. When planning the new medical center, we
wanted to provide the community we served with more than just an
exceptional medical center, we wanted to provide them with one of
America’s finest healing environments.
Consequently, Parrish Medical Center’s architecture and design
incorporates each of the seven healing environment elements as
recommended by the Center for Health Design:
- Nature
-
Color
-
Light
-
Environment
- Security
- Wayfinding
- Culture
In November 2002, PMC opened its 371,000 square foot replacement
facility and became the first in the Southeast region to have designed
and constructed an entire medical center using the principles of
evidence-based design to create a healing environment — “one of
America’s finest healing environments (tm).”
PMC has also included numerous amenities as part of our healing
environment such as weekly live music concerts in the atrium, room
service, concierge service, Skylight (in room entertainment system:
movies, music, games, internet), humor therapy, therapy dogs and much
more.
However, architecture, design, technology, and added amenities
are only part of what is needed to make an environment healing.
After moving into our new medical center we quickly learned that
without a healing culture there never could be a true healing
environment. Healing environments must reflect the values, beliefs and
philosophies of the people and the community they serve. Therefore the
physical building, the caregivers within that building, and the
services provided must all be consistent with its regional and
organizational culture.