As the holidays approached, our WesternU Health Medical Center and Foot & Ankle Center made sure to bring some holiday cheer to the second floor of the Patient Care Center. In what started as a simple holiday decoration contest with some lights, wreaths, and candy canes between departments turned into a full-blown holiday extravaganza. Different themes began to pop up depicting a Winter Wonderland, including a Santa sleigh suspended from the ceiling; miniature snow villages; and Frosty’s Land containing a full-sized Christmas tree with a train circling beneath and snowmen seemingly multiplying as the days went by. Gingerbread Lane resulted from the transformation of office doors with roofs and candy covered panels and a wagon turned into a train covered with lights. The front office became Santa’s Workshop with elves, toys, and lights in every corner and a selfie station for patients waiting for their appointments. The winning area was Whoville, complete with snow on the walls, a pile of presents, and even a real-life Grinch and Cindy Loo Who.
The contest not only brought together the employees in each department as they worked together to create the decorations, but also the holiday spirit, which spread as the decorations grew and everyone was invited to visit the different lands and vote for the best one. Patients were taken on tours after their appointments, giving them a different view of their healthcare team. WesternU employees from other clinics and departments were invited to come visit and vote as well.
The holiday décor also kept spirits lifted as the clinic remained open during winter break to allow for continued patient care. We are all planning for next year’s decorations!