SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Health Care Workers Join League Of Heroes

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

February 24, 222

The masks may look different, but because of their dedication, perseverance and heart, health care workers at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin belong in the company of superheroes.

That’s certainly the opinion of Abby McCullick, Surgical Technologist in Surgical Suites, and the inspiration behind her latest painting, which now hangs in the hospital and features a masked health care worker in rank with Iron Man, Captain America, Batman and Spiderman, all ready to answer the call.

Most people in the health care field are considered selfless, Abby said, but once the coronavirus surfaced, the job went to a whole new level as they continued to care for patients even with a risk to their own health.

“The definition of a hero is ‘a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities,’” Abby said. “I would really like to point out that my painting is not of a nurse, a doctor or specific job title. A hospital is run by many courageous and noble people, so my painting represents any health care worker who has continued to come to work and deliver exceptional care.”

From the folds of the mask to the elastic of the surgical cap, Abby’s painting leaves no detail overlooked. But what seems to stand out most are the eyes - soulful, bright and full of compassion.

“Many people comment on the eyes,” Abby said. “How they are so detailed and look so realistic. Portraits are my specialty and eyes have always been my ‘thing.’ I pay attention to details. This flows over to my job. It is my job in the OR to memorize a case and pay attention to those little details so it goes smoothly.”

Abby’s love of art has been with her throughout her life, but she began to develop her talent for painting in high school when a new art teacher pushed her to try techniques out of her comfort zone.

“He pushed me to be better,” she said. “Each year everyone else would have a curriculum, and I would get separate, more complex assignments that challenged my abilities. For one of my senior projects, I painted a 5-by-12-foot mural that is still in my high school today.”

Abby’s superhero painting is just one of two works of art created by team members from the OR.

Sarah Hansen, RN in Surgical Suites, put her heart into her painting titled, “Heroes of the OR.” With an almost 3D appearance, Sarah carried the Operating Room “blue” over from Abby’s painting to create the backdrop for a giant heart made with textured swirls of reds, pinks and white.

“We love all the heroes that work here and take care of our patients,” Sarah said. “Health care workers in general really care about their patients, and they work hard to do all they can for each one individually. In the OR, we work as a team to provide the best care possible.”

Unlike Abby, Sarah said she hasn’t had much experience painting or with art in general.

“I did not take Art in school, and I did not spend much time exploring it,” she said. “My mom is an artist, and I may have gotten a little talent from her. I do have a watercolor of a hummingbird at home that I did on a whim when I needed a creative outlet.”

The time, energy and thought Abby and Sarah each put into creating their artwork is a tribute to their selfless and giving nature.

“I think if you asked any health care worker about their job and why they choose to continue to do it, not one person would say, ‘so that I can be called a hero,’” Abby said. “We’re faced with many difficult situations, but the majority of us love our job and that’s why we continue to come back day after day.”

Abby and Sarah were inspired to create their paintings to celebrate Health Care Week with the theme “Heroes Work Here.” You can view the paintings on Level 1, near the windows overlooking the Healing Gardens at the hospital.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.