Healing garden promises forgotten

It was with great disappointment that I read that the Jacqueline Fiske Healing Garden at Jupiter Medical Center was referred to as a “pedestrian area” in your article about the new neonatal intensive care unit, especially since the Palm Beach Post wrote an article about the benefits of the garden after it was initially opened. (“Jupiter Medical Center wins approval for new NICU, entrance way,” July 19)

The healing garden was a Valentine’s gift to Jacqueline Fiske from Guy Fiske. Before the previous CEO blocked access to the garden, a post-occupancy evaluation of the space showed that many found comfort in this outdoor space, staff held meetings under the outdoor trellis and rehab patients cooled down in a natural setting.

Research shows that exposure to nature in a comfortable outdoor setting promotes well-being by reducing stress.

The administration has forgotten the promise made to the donor that any changes to the garden would be approved by Jacqueline Fiske (now deceased), her daughter Jacqueline and then her granddaughter Jacqueline.

While a NICU addition is admirable, the forgotten promises to a donor who was a longstanding board member of Jupiter Medical Center, as well as the ignorance of the growing body of evidence that shows these types of spaces reduce stress and improve health outcomes, is disheartening. At the very least, considering broken promises, Jupiter Medical Center should dedicate a new area for a well-designed, comfortable accessible outdoor space where patients and staff can be in nature.

CONNIE ROY-FISHER, WEST PALM BEACH