Eagle Scout candidate Justin N. Campbell along with fellow Boy Scouts, family and friends engaged in a daylong effort cleaning, organizing and painting the greenhouse and garden areas – commonly used as therapy for patients undergoing rehabilitation for spinal cord, brain and other injuries.
The area is also used for staff activities as well as a peaceful space for families and patients to relax and visit.
“I know the staff is busy working with patients so they may not always have the time to dedicate to maintaining the greenhouse and garden area,” said Campbell, a 17-year-old Westbury High School junior. “So I saw this project as a way to help the staff to have a beautiful space to help patients rehabilitate from devastating injuries. I really appreciate TIRR Memorial Hermann for agreeing to let me do this project.
“I hope that the patients and their families will enjoy their time visiting in the garden or working in the greenhouse,” Campbell continued. “I also hope the staff will enjoy hanging out here during their breaks or for events. I want to thank my family, friends, Boy Scouts and the TIRR Memorial Hermann staff, especially Ms. Ava Skrabanek, for helping me with this project. I also want to thank Mr. Chris Fields, at The Home Depot at 11500 Chimney Rock, for donating the materials to help me do this project. It was hard, but a labor of love for me and the others.”
Eagle Scout is the highest rank achievable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, a candidate must, among other requirements, earn 21 merit badges, demonstrate Scout Spirit and leadership within his troop, team crew or ship, and plan, develop and lead a service project.
“It’s so nice to have such a lovely green space in the middle of the medical center, says Ava Skrabanek, CTRS, MSRLS, Adaptive Sports Coordinator, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, TIRR Memorial Hermann. “The upgrades make the area more accessible, inviting and functional for patients, family members and staff.”
Carl Josehart, CEO TIRR Memorial Hermann, echoed Skrabanek comments.
“For some of our patients, their first steps outside during treatment are momentous,” said Josehart. “What a greeting our patients, their families and our staff will get when they step outside to see these changes. We want to thank Justin Campbell for selecting TIRR and for all the hard work that went into making over the greenhouse and garden.”
Cutline: left to right: Caleb Tewolde, Eagle Scout candidate Justin Campbell, Shannon Norwood, Malik Wright and Philip Prater take a break from cleaning up and painting the greenhouse at TIRR Memorial Hermann.