Project will be financed entirely with philanthropic funds



    MILWAUKEE, Wis., July 22 /EMWNews/ -- Aurora St. Luke's Medical

Center today announced plans for construction of a large healing garden and

conservatory in a dramatic rooftop space, creating a beautiful and tranquil

retreat for patients, families and caregivers. The project is being paid

for entirely with gifts from foundations, grateful patients and local

corporations.



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    Work on the Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds Healing Garden and the

Agnes and Morland Hamilton Healing Conservatory will start this week.



    "This incredible new garden will help us achieve our vision for

patient-centered care, and that means caring for body, mind and spirit,"

said Mary O'Brien, chief administrative officer of Aurora St. Luke's

Medical Center. "The healing garden will provide a welcome respite for

patients and families dealing with the stress of a hospital stay."



    The 14,000-square-foot healing garden, on an eighth floor rooftop, will

offer calming views of nature year-round with the 4,000-square-foot

conservatory that will include trees, shrubs, flowers and a water feature.

The enclosed area will showcase panoramic views of the Milwaukee skyline,

including Miller Park, downtown and Lake Michigan.



    The Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds provided $1.5 million toward the $5

million project, and the Agnes and Moreland Hamilton estate donated $1.7

million. Many other gifts came from people who have received care at Aurora

St. Luke's.



    The project was designed with ideas from patients and caregivers. The

design committee was chaired by Don Tendick Jr., a major healing garden

donor.



    "This is a big day for the community -- the patients, families, staff

and visitors who will be able to come to the healing garden to find

emotional and spiritual relief," Tendick said. "It's also a big day for

three generations of Tendicks, who have been dedicated donors and

supporters of Aurora St. Luke's for many years. We believe deeply in the

fine care that is available here. My wife, Kathy, received outstanding

treatment from caregivers in both the cancer and neurological programs

during two serious illnesses.



    "But we felt another element of care was needed -- a place to focus on

something other than illness and the confines of the hospital. It was that

feeling that led us to support the healing garden. We're delighted to see

this project begin and we will continue to support it," Tendick said.



    The conservatory will provide:



    -- A view of the Milwaukee skyline and lake when entering the

conservatory.



    -- Indoor space for year-round use.



    -- Natural, simple, clean lines to accent the garden.



    -- A raised roof with windows called a "clere story" to allow plenty of

natural light.




    -- Double-insulated walls to minimize noise and vibrations.

    -- A water feature.

    Highlights of the outdoor garden will include:



    -- A rejuvenating environment that allows visitors to flow from the

conservatory into the garden.



    -- Pathways that are wheelchair and bed accessible, ranging in width

from 5 to 8 feet.



    -- Lookout and sitting areas that provide skyline views of the city and

beyond.



    -- Circular walking paths that offer secluded areas for relaxation,

conversation or meditation.



    -- Trees and plants specifically selected to withstand Wisconsin's

climate.



    -- A paved labyrinth for reflection.



    -- An herb garden, whose herbs will be used by Aurora St. Luke's

Medical Center food service in its meals.



    A number of green elements have been incorporated into the plan:



    -- Re-using pavers already on the rooftop.



    -- Creating a green roof on the conservatory out of trays filled with

sedum, a hardy plant often used in rooftop projects.



    -- Using materials that come from within 500 miles of the project, such

as the Minnesota limestone used in walkways.



    "We wanted to make sure to incorporate green aspects to our plan so

that it was not only good for our patients, but also for the environment,"

O'Brien said. Aurora has applied for basic LEED (Leadership In Energy and

Environmental Design) certification for the garden.



    Among the residents in the St. Luke's neighborhood is nationally known

horticulturalist Melinda Myers.



    "I am thrilled by this project on so many different levels," she said.

"As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I see how much Aurora

contributes on a daily basis, not only as a medical center but as an anchor

of the community. As a patient, I have experienced Aurora's commitment to

patient-centered care. As a horticulturalist, I know there is a deeply

calming, serene strength we can draw from nature that rejuvenates mind,

body and spirit. I believe deeply in the therapeutic aspects of gardening

and healing gardens and am delighted to see this addition to our

community."



    Brubaker Architects and Daniel Weinbach & Partners, Ltd, both of

Chicago, were selected for the project, based on their previous experience

with healing gardens. Mortenson Construction is overseeing the project.

Mortenson and Brubaker also worked together on a smaller healing garden at

Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh.



    The project will get under way this week with the arrival of a crane

that will move materials up to the roof. Construction is expected to be

completed by the end of the year.



    Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider

and a national leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care.

Aurora offers care at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern

Wisconsin.



    AURORA ST. LUKE'S HEALING GARDEN



    The Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds Healing Garden and the Agnes and

Morland Hamilton Healing Conservatory on the roof of Aurora St. Luke's

Medical Center will consist of a 10,000-square-foot outdoor space and a

4,000-square-foot conservatory. The $5 million project, paid for entirely

by philanthropic funds, is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2008.



    The conservatory will provide:



    -- A view of the Milwaukee skyline and lake as people enter the

conservatory.




    -- Indoor space for year-round use.

    -- Natural, simple clean lines to accent the garden.

    -- A raised roof with windows to allow plenty of light inside.

    -- Double-insulated walls to minimize noise and vibrations.

    -- A water feature.    -- A rejuvenating environment that allows visitors to flow easily from

the conservatory into the garden.




    -- 12 tropical trees -- including four different varieties

    -- 404 tropical plants -- including eight different varieties

    The outdoor garden will include:



    -- Pathways that are wheelchair and bed accessible, ranging in width

from 5 to 8 feet wide.



    -- Lookout areas and seating with views of Milwaukee, Miller Park and

beyond.



    -- Circular walking paths with secluded areas for relaxation or

meditation



    -- Trees and plants selected to withstand Wisconsin's climate and

limited sun.



    -- A paved labyrinth for reflection.



    -- An herb garden, with herbs to be included in meals created by Aurora

St. Luke's Medical Center food service.




    -- 19 ornamental trees, including four different varieties

    -- 381 flowering and evergreen shrubs, including eight different varieties

    -- 1,139 perennials, including nine different varieties

    A number of green elements have been incorporated into the plan. They

include:



    -- Re-using pavers already on the rooftop.



    -- Creating a green roof on the conservatory out of trays filled with

sedum, a hardy plant often used in roof top projects.



    -- Using materials that come from within 500 miles of the project, such

as the Minnesota limestone used in walkways.



    -- Applying for basic LEED (leadership in energy and environmental

design) certification for the garden. The application status will not be

known until the project is completed.