Inside Ochsner’s Healing Environments

Intentional architecture and environmental design are transforming Ochsner facilities and elevating the patient experience

By Olivia Watson

We know that setting plays a significant role in mental and physical well-being, so the hospital environment is one of the first strategies to healing for hospitalized patients. Research shows that simply having a window in a hospital room post-surgery can significantly improve a patient’s recovery. It’s why the hallways and patient rooms across Ochsner Health are flooded with natural light from large windows, and the lobbies feature calming color palettes.

Like Ochsner’s healing gardens and exterior community spaces, the hospital’s interior design is very intentional. The design and architectural team is guided by one philosophy: “To advocate for an environment that references nature in color, imagery and texture provides a well-balanced environment for healing,” said Annette Messina, the Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment Planner at the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center.

“In 2016, we started making a big push to evolve our architectural and interior standards to better meet patient needs, standardize our buildings and create a more cohesive experience across our organization,” said Jaime Johnston, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning. “Patients and members of our community should walk into any one of our facilities and know they’re at Ochsner.” Now when people walk into The Grove Medical Complex, Benson Cancer Center or Clearview Clinic, there’s no question that they are.

The Pediatric super clinic on the fifth floor of Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove in Baton Rouge with intentional designs for children.

Photo: Elizabeth Burris

Embracing biophilic design

For the facilities planning and design teams, cultivating these healing environments began with a strategy centered around biophilic design. Biophilic design seeks to connect people to nature in the built environment, featuring elements like natural light, soft color tones and artwork rooted in nature.

The department was particularly interested in research by Roger S. Ulrich, an architect and internationally recognized researcher in evidence based healthcare design. His research focuses on the effects of art and the built environment on health outcomes. He argues that the presence of nature and environmental art can lessen pain, stress and even healthcare costs. And the interior design team at Ochsner couldn’t agree more. “I am a firm believer that the environment we receive care in helps us heal,” Annette said.

It’s a privilege to do right by this community. Everyone is wowed by these spaces and the impact they have on every person who walks through our doors.

Other decision-makers shared Annette’s sentiment, and decided to relocate Cancer Infusion from the first floor atrium of the clinic to the fifth floor Research Building in 2010. The atrium had limited light and space for patient chairs, while the fifth floor offered natural light and expansive views of the Mississippi River. This renovation came first, and was followed by the decision to build a new, six-story building for cancer services— one that was brighter and better suited to patient needs. The 115,000 square foot expansion was made possible by a $20 million gift from Gayle Benson and her late husband, Tom Benson, in 2017.

The new Benson Cancer Center includes the following cancer services and floors: Tansey Breast Center and Imaging, Urology, GI and Colon Rectal Clinics, Alternative Therapy, Infusion, BMT Infusion and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic and the Paulette and Frank Stewart Riverview Terrace.

A private infusion suite in the Benson Cancer Center with copper infused sheets, calming colors and a view of the Mississippi River.

Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications

Annette played a significant role in the interior design and planning for this new building. One of the first intentional design choices the team made was working within the biophilic palette to create spaces with calming, neutral colors.

“The bottom floors of the building feature neutral, earthy tones and as you work your way up the floors, we worked from a blue palette, using softer hues and artwork dealing with the sky and water.” This concept models the movement from the ground up to the sky, overlooking the river. The palette across these floors intentionally avoids anxiety inducing colors like red and orange, which are often associated with emergency situations and can lead to increased heart rates and body temperatures.

SOME OF THE LOCAL ARTISTS FEATURED: Rachel Rice, Anne Blenker, Mary Singleton, Lori Sperier, Debbie Boyd, Kris Muntan, Nicholas Pechon, Tinroom, Connor McManus, Vincent Weber

Decisions about artwork were equally deliberate. “When you’re in the waiting areas or public corridors, artwork images can be more abstract,” Annette explained. “When you’re in the exam room waiting for a doctor, feeling anxious, the art should be more realistic and grounded in nature.”

From an architectural perspective, the design incorporates similar research about how people respond to their environment. For example, humans tend to feel calmer and respond better to curves as opposed to sharp edges.

These same design and architectural standards including similar exterior canopies, flooring and finish materials carried over to The Grove, which opened in 2019, and the recently opened Clearview Clinic.

“Similar to the Benson Cancer Center, the Clearview Clinic features a neutral palette and organic feel, using warmer wood tones and accent colors,” said Emily Stewart, Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment Manager and Interior Designer of the Clearview Clinic. “By keeping the colors neutral and upholsteries textural, with some pops of color, we allow the artwork to be the star of the show.”

A holistic approach to healing

In the spirit of patient-first, holistic care, the design and architecture team was invested in design and brand consistency across The Grove, Benson Cancer Center and Clearview Clinic. It’s why the finishes, colors and artwork echo back to one another—creating a healing environment distinct to the Ochsner community. As always, this community extends beyond patients and staff.

I am a firm believer that the environment we receive care in helps us heal.

“One of our top priorities was incorporating art by members of our Gulf South community,” Jaime said. “There is a really big philanthropic interest among local artists and all three of these facilities represent the people that help our community heal, in so many ways.”

“It is a privilege to do right by this community and give them a better environment to care for their patients in,” Jaime said. “Everyone is wowed by these spaces and the impact they have on every person who walks through our doors.”

Dr. Brittany Harvey and Dr. Edward McCoul walk through the new clinic at Clearview in Metairie.

Photo: Elizabeth Burris