Mount Sinai Hospital Incorporates Art into Healing
July 19, 2016 (Toronto) – Unquestionably, there is a connection between the arts, humanities and overall health. In recognition of this, today Sinai Health System officially opened the Hennick Family Wellness Gallery at Mount Sinai Hospital.
The new space is a healing and respite area for patients, families and visitors surrounded by a collection of artwork by the late Canadian artist Sorel Etrog. The concept of a wellness gallery as a part of the healing process is based on extensive research demonstrating that stress and psychosocial factors can significantly affect patient health outcomes.
“The Hennick Family Wellness Gallery is as much a healing intervention as it is a beautiful space. Evidence shows that exposure to visual arts contributes to stress reduction, improved mood and sense of wellbeing. We know that there is no health without mental health, and the new Hennick Family Wellness Gallery is part of a holistic health approach that addresses body, person and soul,” says Molyn Leszcz, Chief, Psychiatry, Sinai Health System.
Located on the main floor of the hospital, the gallery is part of a renovated lobby area designed to strengthen the patient experience by offering a restorative space that is an intersection between art and wellness.
“From the inception of Sinai Health System, our aspiration has been to be the system leader to better serve our patients and community - from healthy beginnings to health aging. To enable this success we must have a healing environment that benefits our patients, their families and staff alike,” said Joseph Mapa, president and CEO, Sinai Health System. “Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, who was just recognized with a Governor General’s Medal for Architecture, is a testament to 21st century thinking on wellness how you can transform care through design. This is the standard for all of Sinai Health."
The gallery space was 100 per cent donor funded through a generous gift by Jay and Barbara Hennick. The notable collection of Sorel Etrog artwork was bequeathed to the hospital by the artist in 2013.
About Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital, part of Sinai Health System, is an internationally recognized 442-bed acute care academic health sciences centre affiliated with the University of Toronto. Clinical strengths include women’s and infants’ health, chronic disease management, specialized cancer care, emergency medicine and geriatrics. Mount Sinai has been designated with Exemplary Status from Accreditation Canada and every aspect of patient care is anchored in a rigorous quality plan and monitoring of safety and quality goals. Mount Sinai was recently named the first hospital in Canada to receive Magnet® status for nursing excellence and patient care.
About the Artist
Award winning artist Sorel Etrog (August 29, 1933 – February 26, 2014) is a true Canadian treasure. Spanning a career of over 50 years Etrog represented Canada at the 1966 Venice Biennale. He received many important commissions including EXPO ‘67, Sunlife Centre Toronto, and Olympic Park Seoul Korea. In 1968, he designed the Canadian Film Award. He has illustrated books by Ionesco and Beckett, and his film Spiral was shown on CBC in 1975. Etrog was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in 1994 and was made a Chevalier of Arts and Letters by the Government of France in 1996. His work presides in an astounding number of permanent collections including the Tate Museum in London, the Museum of Modern Art and the Solomon Guggenheim in New York, the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Musée National d’Art Modern in Paris, The Israeli Museum, The Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada.
About the Donor
A strong leader in the business and philanthropic communities, Jay Hennick has been deeply involved in Mount Sinai’s growth. He is the past Chairman of Sinai Health System’s Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the cabinet for The Campaign to Renew Sinai. He is the Founder and CEO of publicly-traded FirstService Corporation, a global leader in the real estate services sector including Colliers International and FirstService Residential. Barbara Hennick, a chartered accountant, leader and philanthropist, is past president of the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary and former Chairman of the Audit Committee of Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation. She also serves as President of the Jay and Barbara Hennick Family Foundation.
Press Release
Download the press release in PDF.
Photo Gallery
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Sally Szuster
Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, Sinai Health System
416-586-4800 ext. 8713
[email protected]
