Arts in Medicine

The Alfano Arts in Medicine Program at Columbia Presbyterian’ Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation Unit and more importantly Ms. Nitza Horner has meant the world to our family.  Our first day of visiting the Pediatric Oncologist, Dr. James Garvin, at the Herbert Irving Pavilion was a blur.  Our family walked into the building, not having any idea what to expect.  Our son, John, who was only two and half years old at that time was swooped up by Ms. Horner and taken into a corner of the floor we called The Art Studio.  My wife, daughter and I listened to the Doctor and Nurse Practitioner explain the horrific news of  of childhood cancer and the treatment plan that would be implemented.  Being told that Gracie’s projected success rate was less than 20% is not news we wanted her big brother to hear or ask questions about.  Our extended family was still out of town, so we only had each other at the time.  From that first awful day, Ms. Horner had become our best friend at the hospital!  We still have the cardboard clock our son made on that very first day.  He always looked forward to coming to Gracie’s treatments to create and get dirty.  To this day, four years later, we credit his creativity to Ms. Horner.  

Our daughter, Grace was first introduced to Ms. Horner and the healing power of art during her in-patient treatment.  Crayons, Play-dough, water play, paint, modeling clay and many, many stickers where her play things for months.  Grace’s time spent at the clinic were just as amazing to her.  The moment we stepped off the elevator, Grace would point to the Art Studio.  We always arrived early, prior to the clinic opening, and we started our day looking at the other children’s art work.  While Grace never really learned to speak, I would say to her, “Where is the cat? Dog? Star? and her favorite CUPCAKE?”  A patient had painted a cupcake that included Gracie’s favorite color of pink.  For weeks she would point and touch that painting.    Ms. Horner spoke to the artist/patient and she offered her painting to Grace.  It hung in Grace’s room until her passing and now hangs in our bedroom where I can see this painting every day.  It happens to be one the most positive memories I have of the time spent at the hospital and clinic. 

- Dad

Throughout Grace’s treatment and after her passing, we have supported the Alfano Arts in Medicine Program through goods donation. During September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we collect art supplies and craft kits through an Amazon Registry. All these items go directly to the studio. They are used at the clinic and for children staying inpatient. This collection stocks the cabinets with supplies for most of the year. We gladly collect art supplies throughout the year at our home and deliver them as needed to the studio.

You can purchase an item and ship it directly to the Art Studio by ordering here: https://smile.amazon.com/registries/custom/7G3R6BR5QEMW/guest-view