Our Footprint Wall has caused quite a stir in Social Media recently! We’re honored to see so many people have enjoyed our wall over the past 19 years. That’s actually when it started, 19 years ago in September of 1998. It was meant to be a “fun” extra for our patients to enjoy at the end of their visit with us. Time has marched on since then, and so must we! The original Pavilion for Women unit opened in 1993, and our 1st floor is part of that original footprint (no pun intended!). A much-needed refresh of the 1st-floor rooms began earlier this year with the Labor, Delivery, and Recovery rooms being outfitted with similar décor and amenities as used in our new private patient suites on our medical/surgical floors. Once the rooms are finished, we will begin to update the outer corridors and walls. Yes, the famous footprint wall will be covered, but what will remain will be the renowned care we have always provided. Our outstanding physicians, nurses and support staff will always be here for our mothers, babies, and families.
FAQs about our Pavilion for Women 1st Floor Refresh:
What does the 1st Floor Refresh entail?
The original floor of our Pavilion for Women opened in 1993. A much-needed refresh of the 1st-floor rooms began in early 2017. The Labor, Delivery and Recovery rooms are being outfitted with similar décor and amenities as used in our new private patient suites on our medical/surgical floors. Once the rooms are finished, we will begin to update the outer corridors and walls.
Why are you painting over the footprint wall?
The walls need to be covered in new wall coverings not only for aesthetics but for wear and tear of these high traffic corridors.
When and why did the footprint wall begin?
The footprint wall began in September 1998. It intended to be a fun “extra” for parents to enjoy at the end of their visit with us. Historically, parents took many of their own photographs and even videos of their child’s footprint during and immediately after the footprint was made.
When will you stop adding footprints?
In preparation for this project, we stopped adding footprints to the wall on January 1, 2017
Will you photographically archive the wall?
YES. In reality, nothing will be lost because all of the walls are being photographed and archived. We are then planning to share that archive online so patients can visit their child’s footprint or angel anytime they like! Although most parents took advantage of photos during their visit, they will have the option to zoom in and print a photo of the wall from their home computer simply by visiting our website. That option should be available in early 2018.
Will patients be allowed in the unit to see footprints prior to painting?
Our patients feel comfortable knowing that the Pavilion for Women is a secured unit. It is a sensitive patient care environment, and we pride ourselves on the level of security our unit provides. We are encouraging our families to make use of the photo archive as described in the FAQs.
When will you start painting?
Renovation plans can be fluid. While we are planning to start hallway refreshes in early 2018, it may be further into 2018 before painting begins.
What about those parents who experience infant loss and had the option of placing an Angel on the Wall?
We provide outstanding support for mothers and families who experience a loss. The angels were an option for patients to participate in the wall.
We have a phenomenal Pregnancy and Infant Loss Group led by trained staff to support the needs of these families. The Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support (SHARE) organization was created to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life. Share is a national organization with a chapter at Anderson Hospital.
The Anderson Chapter of SHARE unveiled its “Angel of Hope” monument in October 2016 which took years of fundraising to come to fruition. The Angel of Hope statue gives all parents – and anyone facing grief – a place of comfort and solace. It is located on the east side of the hospital campus and can be visited 24/7.