Girl Scout honors cancer patients with 'Healing Garden'

UHS is excited to announce the opening of a new “Healing Garden for Cancer Patients” outside the Oncology Department at Wilson Square at UHS Wilson Medical Center, thanks to the kindness and creativity of a local Girl Scout. 

Miah Barnard, 17, of Vestal, wanted to create a special place for cancer patients where they can find respite in a calming environment.  For her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, she did just that.

Miah attends Vestal High School and is a member of the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council.  She is the daughter of Jeremiah and Nicole Barnard of Vestal.

With gardening experience and a unique sense of creativity on her side, Miah created the Healing Garden where patients and visitors can go to find peace and tranquility.

The garden aims to address the need for a healing outdoor space for oncology patients who come for services at UHS Wilson Medical Center.

The garden includes a new bench that Miah built, along with a repurposed picnic table and a butterfly sculpture donated from a local artist Miah had contacted, plus new landscaping that is easy to maintain while also providing a peaceful and calming surrounding for patients and visitors.

Miah also created an interactive meditation brochure that people can use while visiting the space.

The brochure features a bar code that links the reader to meditations that they can do before or after treatments and appointments, as well as simple balancing questions to calm the mind.  It is Miah’s hope that patients and visitors will be able to visit the space to relax and become centered and peaceful.

The UHS Foundation is proud to partner with Miah in her pursuit of her Girl Scout Gold Award, and we applaud her thoughtfulness in caring for the community around her. We look forward to UHS patients enjoying the beautiful space.

Special thanks to:

• James Hargrave, a local artist who donated the butterfly sculpture
• Home Depot for the donation of pavers, stepping stones and landscaping fabric
• Francine’s Horticultural Services for donating the plants and landscaping design services
• UHS staff for support and guidance on the project
• Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Gold Award Committee

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest, most prestigious award a Girl Scout can earn in Girl Scouting.  Seniors and Ambassadors who earn the Gold Award tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond. The Gold Award opens doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college and amazing career opportunities.