(1) Address to the Vice President

Dear Linda Dierks,

As Saint Mary's Vice President and energetic leader, I understand that you direct philanthropic efforts for the foundation. I am writing to you with the intent to reorganize, redecorate, and and reconstruct the hospital's cosmetic appearance in addition to the way it is run. I believe strongly in the the power of an aesthetically and psychologically pleasing atmosphere and how it affects a person's attitude. I want to add color, music, comfortable lounges, plants, and awe-striking artwork to the hospital. My vision is to transform the inner face of the boring, whitewashed, rigid rooms, to an atmosphere that is inviting and full of light. Hospitals are symbolic of sickness--a negative term that makes us feel depressed and uneasy. Coming from personal experiences, a trip down a dreary hospital hall is far from enjoyable. Many hospitalized patients already feel emotions of anxiety and overall negativity. I feel as though the current atmosphere only contributes to these feelings. If there was soft music playing, colorful surroundings, and larger rooms, I believe it would have a positive effect on patients' attitudes.

It has been proven that a person's attitude plays a large role in the healing process. Cancer patients, for example, are faced with the choice to fight with optimism or give up with defeatist attitudes. I believe that miracles are made by an individual's perception and outlook of a situation. Let us contribute to positivity by making changes from within Saint Mary's. In addition to color, furniture, and sounds, I would like to create bigger hospital rooms to rid the building of claustrophobia.

After cosmetic enhancements have been accomplished, I would like to initiate in-hospital events, games, guest appearances, and themed spirit weeks in order to gain a sense of community and life. Hospitals can not be run like businesses. We need to reestablish nurse/patient and doctor/patient relationships. Personalized care makes the patient feel safe, comforted, and content. For some people, a hospital visit may be for a few hours or a quick overnight stay; for others, it may entail weeks or months in enclosed walls. It is extremely important to make these patients feel at home, no matter how long their stay.

During rainy days, one is likely to feel unhappy and sluggish; while during warm, sunny days, one feels happy, energetic, and peaceful. Let us make every day inside Saint Mary's like a day at the beach. I hope you will join me in this effort and see the percentage of healing and medical successes increase.