Portland, Ore. (Oct. 24, 2017) Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center will unveil the new John Callahan Garden to the public on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. Nestled within Legacy Good Samaritan Park on northwest Marshall St., between 21st and 22nd Avenues, the garden was designed in honor of the late cartoonist and patient of Legacy Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon. In addition to unique plantings that reflect his personality, the new garden also features an art installation designed by visual artist Tad Savinar, which is comprised of Callahan's famous cartoons interwoven with his biographical information.
"The garden honors Callahan's life and the incredible impact it had on his community, fans and fellow patients who he inspired with his humor to support them in adapting to their new normal," said Jonathan Avery, president of Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. "We are thrilled to continue the development of Legacy Good Samaritan Park into a new nature destination for all to enjoy."
The John Callahan Garden was made possible through charitable donations, including a significant grant from the Northwest Neighborhoods Parks and Recreation Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation and many generous in-kind gifts of materials and services.
Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, alongside the Friends of Callahan, officially will officially welcome the community to the newest section of the Legacy Good Samaritan Park, which opened on July 12, 2017, at an official dedication open to the community.
John Callahan Garden Dedication
WHAT: The official unveiling of the John Callahan Garden, which will include a variety of guest speakers who will share personal stories of Callahan's influence; background about the intent of the garden's design; and the latest news about the upcoming Gus Van Sant Callahan biopic, "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot".
WHEN: Friday, October 27, 2017
11:30 a.m. -- 1 p.m.
Program/Ribbon Cutting at noon
Garden Tours at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: John Callahan Garden, NW Marshall St., between 21st and 22nd Avenues
In case of rain, the event will be held in Legacy Good Samaritan's Wistar Morris Conference Room on the first floor of the main hospital located at 1015 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210.
WHO:The following individuals will be available for interview at the Dedication and may also be arranged beforehand by contacting Megan Deisler at 503-729-5276 or [email protected].
Legacy Health: Mike Newcomb, D.O., chief operating officer, Legacy Health
Jonathan Avery, president of Legacy Good Samaritan
Teresia Hazen, MEd, HTR, QMHP, Legacy Health's horticulture therapist.
John Callahan Garden Design Team: Mark Zusman, editor and publisher of Willamette Week.
Uses and volunteer opportunities
RIO therapists will utilize the John Callahan Garden, along with the rest of Legacy Good Samaritan Park, to work with patients recovering from serious conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injuries to learn how to walk again and/or use wheelchairs on varying surfaces and path materials in a natural healing setting.
Legacy Good Samaritan Park is available for community nonprofits to host family-friendly events. Volunteer opportunities are also available to those who are interested in garden care and community engagement. If interested in either opportunity, please contact Teresia Hazen at 503-413-6507 or [email protected].
To contribute to the John Callahan Garden, please visit www.legacyhealth.org/giving, select Good Samaritan Foundation and indicate that your gift is in support of the John Callahan Garden. You may also call Good Samaritan Foundation at 503-413-5585.
Click here to read more about Legacy's award-winning Therapeutic Gardens.
About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is an Oregon-based nonprofit, tax-exempt organization and, with more than 13,000 employees, is one of the largest private sector employers in the Portland metropolitan area. Legacy Health provides an integrated network of health care services, including acute and critical care, inpatient and outpatient treatment, community health education and a variety of specialty services. Legacy's hospitals include: Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and Randall Children's Hospital, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center, Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Legacy Silverton Medical Center, and Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash. Also included in the Legacy system are a hospice agency, a full-service research facility, and specialty and primary care clinics. Visit www.legacyhealth.org
Legendary Cartoonist John Callahan Garden officially opens
October 25, 2017
