Integration of the Creative Arts
at Walter Reed Bethesda
• Background Introduction
• State of the Field
• Proposed Program for Walter Reed
• Mission/Vision/Goals
• Existing Components
• current programs
• Program Development
•
•
•
•
•
coordination/credentialing
evaluation
future expansion
collaborations
research grants
Benefits of Creative Arts Encounters
Over 30 years of scientific investigation have demonstrated that creative
expression can alter not just moods, attitudes and emotions, but it
influences neuro-endocrine pathways that control physiologic outcomes
as varied as blood pressure, sleep and the immune response.
We are learning how creative expression can:
• reduce blood pressure while boosting the immune system and
reducing stress
• promote relaxation and a sense of well-being
• reduce anxiety, depression and pain
• promote general quality of life
2009 State of the Field Report
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Society for the Arts in Healthcare (SAH)
Benefits of Arts Specific to a
Military Population
• Art Therapy studied in the context of PTSD has been
shown to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
reduce incidence of anxiety & mood disorders
encourage expression of traumatic events
improve Quality of Life
improve self-esteem
enhance emotional self-efficacy
promote reconsolidation of memories
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ybfdb7YvM&
feature=channel&list=UL
Collie et al, 2006 & American Art
Therapy Association 2010
Healthcare Institutions with
Arts Programs
A 2007 study showed that 45% of the 1807 Healthcare Institutions surveyed
reported Arts Programs.
Types of Programs within Healthcare Institutions
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2009 State of Science Field Report
Funding for Healthcare Institutions
with Arts Programs
How Programs are Funded
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Organization's Volunteer Service
Operating Budget Organization
Hospital
Foundation /
Endowment
Grants
Discretionary Gift
Funds
PR Budget
Patrons
Gift Shop
Revenues
2009 State of Science Field Report
The Creative Arts Program at Walter Reed
• Vision Statement: As the Nation’s Medical Center, we are committed to
creating a world-class arts program that advances the field of arts & health while
serving our patients, their families, and those who care for them through state-ofthe-art models and best practices.
• Mission: Walter Reed Bethesda leads military medicine by integrating the
creative arts into a comprehensive patient-centered healthcare system, promoting
advances in healing, improved quality of life, and holistic care through
development, implementation, and assessment of ground-breaking initiatives and
strategic partnerships.
• Goals:
•
•
•
•
comprehensive access and accommodations to a full spectrum of arts modalities
enriched environment of care promoting optimal healing and workforce morale
significant contributions to state-of-the-science research and education
establishment of community partnerships and collaborations
The Creative Arts Program at Walter Reed
• Creative Arts Program Staff –
Two full-time coordinators who provide a rich array of services to wounded
warriors, patients, families (including children) and NMA’s in a variety of
programs. Coordinates activities between Social Work, OT, PT, MATC, among
other clinical units. Additionally providing direction and expertise in
establishing policy and program development .
• NICoE: Creative Art Therapist/Healing Arts Program - Melissa Walker integrated outpatient treatment at the NICoE
• Intensive Outpatient Psych (IOP) - Vanita Tarpley - Art Therapist for patients
of IOP.
The Creative Arts Program at Walter Reed
• Stages of Healing – Performing arts series. Hosts performances from a variety of
artistic genres for the benefit of staff, patients, and their families.
• Purpose is to enrich the caring environment of the medical center by promoting
the arts as essential components of health, healing and well-being for all.
• The series is intended to:
– enhance the healing process,
– create a base of support through which participants can relieve the stress that is often
associated with health care settings,
– enrich the lives of patients, visitors, and staff at WRNMMC.
• Annual Cancer Art Show/Healing Arts Exhibit – provides arts showcase for
patients, staff, family members and others affected by illness and injury who use
arts modalities in their recovery.
The Creative Arts Program at Walter Reed
Artists-in-Residence Programs
• Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Initial grant from Red Cross at
NNMC. Has been providing professional artists in residence three
days/week since Fall 2010 to 4th floor inpatients and their families, and to
other selected units upon referral.
• ArtStream’s “Allies in the Arts.” Project originated in 2009 through VSA
arts and provided professional artists in residence at Mologne House.
Evolved into a collaboration with the Red Cross at WRAMC, supported by
ArtStream (non profit). Moved to WRNMMC in Sept. 2011, and provides
professional artists in residence two days/week to 4th floor inpatients and
their families.
The Creative Arts Program at Walter Reed
• Warrior Poetry Project – CAPT(ret) Fred Foote, MC, USN – facilitates
ongoing poetry sessions and instruction for wounded, ill and injured
service members, family members and staff.
• Operation Homecoming – Bill O’Brien – Expression & Writing series
coordinated by the National Endowment for the Arts and held at NICoE.
• MusiCorps (non profit) - Arthur Bloom facilitates musical experiences and
music instruction for wounded, ill and injured service members (both
in/outpatient) by teaming with community artists (musicians, sound
engineering) Sound studios in WRAMC Fisher Houses, now in Bldg 62.
Accommodations made for unique disabilities, partnership with rehab
clinicians, extended outpatient program.
Program Development
• Coordination/Credentialing
• centralized calendar of activities
• refine process for base, ward, outpatient clearance, vetting of artists
• standards for HIPAA, military cultural sensitivity, Psychological First Aid
• Evaluation
• standard individual and programmatic evaluation process
• effectiveness, satisfaction, capacity, resources
• Collaborations
• National Initiative: Arts & Health in the Military
• Leadership Roundtable at the Kennedy Center, 15 November 2012
• National Summit, 10 April 2013
• Research Initiatives/Disseminate Findings
• Facilities
• needs assessment
• focus on universal access
National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military
• National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military
–
–
–
–
Multi-year project
Started in 2011 with National Summit at Walter Reed
First time military & civilian collaboration
To discuss how arts engagements can help address key
military health issues
National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military
National Initiative Goals
• Advance the policy, practice, and quality use of arts and creativity as tools
for health in the military
• Raise visibility, understanding, and support of arts and health in the
military
• Make the arts as ‘tools for health’ available to all active duty military, staff,
family members, and veterans
National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military
• NATIONAL CONVENINGS
Arts & Health in the Military National Roundtable (November 15, 2012)
– held at Kennedy Center & attended by senior federal & military leaders
– including Secretary Sebelius, Rocco Landesman and RADM Stocks
– Asked to brief Senior Military Spouses at Pentagon as follow-up
Annual National Summit for Arts & Health in the Military (April 10, 2013)
• POLICY PUBLICATIONS
Arts & Health In the Military Issue Brief (produced for National Roundtable,
2012)
National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military Blueprint for Action (2013)
Annual National Report Card: Arts & Health in the Military (2014)
National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military
• INFORMATION SERVICES
Website (preliminary launch in 2013)
Webinars (2013 – 2015)
• PRACTITIONER TRAINING
Arts & Health in the Military Practitioner Training Boot Camps (pilot 2013)
Arts & Health in the Military Practitioner Training Manual(2014)
National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military
National Initiative Partners
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Americans for the Arts (lead )
Global Alliance for Arts & Health (lead)
National Endowment for the Arts
Walter Reed National Military Medical
Center
National Intrepid Center of Excellence
(NICoE)
Creative Healing Connections
Foundation for Art & Healing
National Center for Creative Aging
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New York Army National Guard
Chaplaincy
Oasis by Design, LLC
Planetree Residential Facilities
Rollins & Associates
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
& the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts
Gallery
The Epidaurus Project
USO Metro
Vet Art Project
VSA, an affiliate of The John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts