Upon entering the newly renovated Pediatric Infusion Center in UF Health Shands’ Children’s Hospital, one is greeted by four furry/feathered faces. These are the faces of the three commissioned prints by AIM Artist in Residence and printmaker Molly Kempson. The displayed works feature a black bear, whitetail fawn, and a pair of eastern screech owls.
“I created a habitat within each print, with each circular composition filled with native palms and pines, Spanish moss, black-eyed Susans, and moths and butterflies. I wanted to keep the focus on the animals but acknowledge the interdependence of every species with its environment,” said Molly on her subject choices and their surroundings.
The renovation, completed in late December of 2018, came in response to a need for physical space for waiting areas and patient rooms, and a unification of the infusion and specialty patient populations in a single location. Molly’s pieces contribute to the woodland flora and fauna design theme of the Infusion Center.
“Research shows nature themes in healthcare environments can provide a positive distraction for patients and their families,” Robyn May, of UF Health Shands’ Interior Design team, said on the decision to use Florida wildlife as the theme for the suite, effectively bringing the outdoors inside.
“The UF Health Children’s Hospital’s overall design theme centers on Florida’s wide array of ecosystems and is introduced at the first floor lobby. The fourth floor’s design focus is Florida forests and the way-finding floor icon is the deer. The Pediatric Infusion Center was the first opportunity to utilize this concept.
The unit’s entry wall features watercolor, “hand drawn” graphics of animals found in north central Florida forests – each animal is placed in a circle of bold color to mimic the lobby’s animal wall. This circle-animal design motif continues to the reception desk, nurse station façade, and artwork to reinforce the unit’s identity. Behind the nurse station, Molly’s bold, intricate linocut prints finish the space and provide a glimpse of Florida wildlife in their habitats.”
Click here to read more about the Pediatric Infusion Center’s renovation.
An initial sketch of the whitetail deer print, courtesy of Molly Kempson. 
Black bear sketch, by Molly Kempson. 
Sketch of eastern screech owls, by Molly Kempson. 
The finished print as a digital scan of the whitetail deer. 
Digital scan of the black bear finished print. 
Digital scan of the eastern screech owl finished print. 
Pediatric Infusion Center entrance.