Healing Garden Celebrates 20th Anniversary

A mild summer night welcomed guests into the Healing Garden at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, the perfect touch for an evening dedicated to donors, volunteers and friends who have helped keep the garden blooming the last two decades.

The gathering marked the 20th anniversary of the beautiful space, tucked away off Parking Lot A in the southwest corner of the campus. The oasis is a favorite for patients and team members, who frequent the grounds in search of calm, serene surroundings to step back and relax.

“We know our hospital delivers outstanding medical care and provides an exceptional patient care experience, but healing extends beyond medicine alone. The garden serves as a reminder that healing can also be found in nature … and in quiet moments of comfort and reflection,” said Ann Johnson, the foundation’s associate vice president. “Over the last 20 years, countless footsteps have traveled the garden pathways and countless conversations have taken place on the garden benches. While we may never know the personal meaning behind each engraved garden stone, tile or bench, we do know this space has touched thousands of lives.”

In the early 2000s, a group of visionaries recognized the need for a Healing Garden at our hospital including Mrs. Pamela Parker, the hospital’s chief operating officer, and the late Jim Fass, who was the grounds department manager at the hospital for over 30 years.  

With the support of the foundation, the hospital, and a dedicated group of Master Gardeners, the Healing Garden was born. 

Construction commenced in Fall 2004, and the Healing Garden was officially dedicated on June 21, 2006, with a theme of “Giving Hope a Place to Grow.” 

Personalized tiles and pavers in honor of or in memory of family members and loved ones are featured in the walkways and around the “Doves Taking to Flight” sculpture centered in the fountain. Benches and stones dedicated to loved ones and friends of the hospital and Foundation are enjoyable to read. 

The garden’s continued vitality is made possible through the care and dedication of thoughtful and talented individuals of Master Gardeners, volunteers, and team members from the hospital’s Facility Services. Their tireless hours of planning, planting, weeding, watering, and nurturing ensure that the Healing Garden remains a source of inspiration and beauty year-round. These are also the experts who can answer questions about the wide variety of plants, owers, and trees in the garden.

In recent years, the garden expanded to include a grassy area above the original garden, a major overhaul of the foundation, replanting of flowers and the addition of a new Healing Garden sign at the base of the stairs in the lower garden.

Few hospitals are fortunate enough to offer an outdoor space as wonderful as our Healing Garden. Together, through volunteer service and philanthropic support, the Healing Garden continues to ourish for all who visit. 

In addition to personalized mementos, monetary contributions of any size are appreciated to support the care and maintenance of the Healing Garden. 

To learn more about the garden or purchase a paver, tiles garden stone, granite pool surround or bench, visit The Healing Garden page for more information.