NYC Health + Hospitals first system-wide mural was unveiled at Woodhull Hospital
Photo credit: NYC Health + Hospitals
Art inspires our better angels. A picture can communicate a thousand words.
Therefore, a lot of thought went into the creation of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull’s first system-wide mural. Especially as it represents its Hospital-based Violence Interruption Programs’ (HVIP) shared commitment to addressing violence and healing impacted communities. HVIP programs utilize a three-pronged approach to treat victims of violence and ensure their lasting recovery: interruption, prevention, and community engagement.
On January 8, Woodhull unveiled the mural titled, “If We Dreamed: A Journey for Peace in Our Streets”. Artists Shenna Vaughn and William Bentley of Vaughn Bentley Creative joined in collaboration with more than 75 youth participants and staff with HVIP programs at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, Jacobi, Kings, Lincoln, and Woodhull. The original work will be displayed at Woodhull Hospital with replicas installed at Harlem, Jacobi, Kings, and Lincoln Hospitals.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, we recognize that violence is a public health epidemic that demands we work in unison across our hospitals to treat victims and support community healing,” said Dr. Mitchell Katz, president and chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals. “By bringing our five Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs together in a shared creative process, we created a testament to our shared mission that will live in our hospitals as a source of connection, reflection, and hope for many years to come. This mural will provide our staff, our patients, and especially our young people a visible reminder that our hospitals are places not only for treatment, but for healing, belonging, and change.”
“This mural reflects what is possible when hospitals, families, and community partners come together with a shared commitment to protect and uplift youth. At Woodhull Hospital, violence prevention is not only a public safety priority — it is a public health imperative. By investing in partnerships rooted in trust and compassion, we help create pathways where young people can thrive, dream boldly, and grow into their full potential,” said Sandra Sneed, chief executive officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
The Greenline 