For patients receiving care at the INTEGRIS Health Paul Silverstein Burn Center, healing often means long days spent in a hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling. A special project at the burn center is helping transform that view into something meaningful, bright and full of hope.
For patients receiving care at the INTEGRIS Health Paul Silverstein Burn Center, healing often means long days spent in a hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling. A special project at the burn center is helping transform that view into something meaningful, bright and full of hope.
Through the center’s painted ceiling tile project, burn survivors, families, caregivers, community members and local partners come together to paint ceiling tiles that are later placed in patient rooms throughout the burn unit. Each tile serves as a reminder to patients that they are supported by people who care about their recovery.
The idea began when a child life specialist asked if a patient’s children could paint the ceiling tile above his bed. The goal was simple: give him something special to look at while he was lying there, something created by the people who loved him most.
That moment sparked a larger idea.
“We thought, why can’t we do that for all patients in all rooms and have them painted by our burn survivors?” said Keri Keeble, the nurse manager at the burn center. “It gives patients hope. It gives them something to look at and daydream about. They know those tiles were painted by people who care about them and want to see them get better, heal and get out of the burn center.”
Today, the project has become a meaningful tradition and a conversation starter for patients, families and caregivers. Patients often ask about the tiles when they return for appointments, and some even request to take their tile home when they leave the burn center.
The project also creates an opportunity for the community to show love and support for burn patients. The burn center hosts painting events that bring together caregivers, survivors, families and community members.
The most recent event was held in partnership with the Edmond Fire Department, where participants painted ceiling tiles for the burn unit. Each design will soon help brighten a patient’s room and offer comfort during their healing journey.
“I think the patients just having that and having something to look at or having something to talk about with their family or with the nurses, it definitely does make a difference,” said Charity Johnson, a nurse supervisor at the burn center.
The INTEGRIS Health Paul Silverstein Burn Center is dedicated to caring for burn patients through every step of their recovery. The painted ceiling tile project is one more way the center provides compassionate, patient-centered care while reminding patients they are not alone.
