The City of Fond du Lac has many beautiful places to visit and enjoy some incredible scenery, including Lakeside Park and other wildlife areas. For those who call, or have called, Fond du Lac their home, many of these views are fond parts of their memories.
Those memories are now part of new parents’ journeys as they welcome babies at SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Women’s Health.
Parents can now capture special memories with their newborn while at the hospital to treasure always. A new mural, created by Jenny Wathan, a local artist, was created as a fun photo spot where parents, baby, and other loved ones can gather to commemorate the birth.
“Having a baby is a wonderful milestone,” says Loraine Carley, RN, St. Agnes Hospital manager-Women’s Health: Inpatient OB/GYN. “We installed the mural to give families a designated photo spot where they can take a sweet photo to capture the memory with their smart phone.”
The addition of the mural offers families the opportunity to take a photo of a special moment they can look back on for the rest of their lives, Carley says. “And they can easily share it with friends and family through social media, if they like.”
The mural is conveniently located near the welcome desk in Women’s Health, close to where mom and baby depart the hospital following birth. It was supported by the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation.
“You don’t really get a chance to get good photos when you’re in labor, but everyone wants them,” says Carley. “I think it’s really nice, especially as you leave the hospital. The mural really adds to our community feel of the hospital and helps families show that their story began with us at St. Agnes Hospital.”
Wathan first connected to the project through her cousin, Sara Fritch, an SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Women’s Health registered nurse.
“The most exciting thing about this project was that I could share my God-given talent, which was nurtured by my late grandfather, Russell O’Connor while growing up,” according to Wathan. “I have very fond memories drawing pictures at his house on Sundays when we would go over for a visit. It is also humbling knowing that this art is being shared with new parents at such a pivotal and miraculous time in their lives.”
Wathan shared the images she purposefully incorporated into the mural, including the saying, “Our story begins here.” She also features a deer with fawn representing a mother and child, as well as the Lakeside Park Lighthouse representing our iconic symbol of Fond du Lac.
“I have such a feeling of joy and satisfaction now that the mural is complete,” Wathan says. “Knowing new parents will enjoy it as well as others for years to come gives me a great sense of pride as I too, was born here at this hospital and raised in Fond du Lac. I get to contribute a piece of art and share my passion. I’m blessed to have been a part of this special project.”
SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital offers Women’s Health featuring private, spacious rooms with amenities like in-room tubs and birthing balls and are staffed by nurses specializing in labor and birth. They provide various childbirth options, including room environment, mobility, and pain relief, allowing for a personalized birthing experience.
SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Women’s Health now features a mural, created by local artist Jenny Wathan (right) after being introduced by Sara Fritch (center), an SSM Health Hospital Women’s Health registered nurse. Sara’s daughter, Maisy Fritch Warner, enjoyed the mural following the birth of her daughter, Elaine Warner. Big brother Lucas got to also pose in front of the mural.