Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke McKinney Art With A Heart In Healthcare.
Hi Brooke McKinney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Art with a Heart in Healthcare (AWAHIH) was founded in 2001 by cousins Lisa Landwirth Ullmann and Lori Guadagno. Lisa brought a background in family philanthropy and social work while Lori was a working artist. They sought guidance from Lisa’s father, Henri Landwirth, a Holocaust survivor and founder of several humanitarian organizations, including Give Kids the World Village. His experience helped shape their vision. They chose Jacksonville and began their work at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, starting grassroots by wheeling a suitcase full of art supplies from room to room.
From those humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a team of more than 10 Artists-in-Residence, now led by Executive Director Christy Ponder. We have dedicated spaces on each hospital floor for art supplies and often reach every child in a day, providing meaningful, fine art experiences to over 10,000 patients and family members annually. It’s a mighty accomplishment for a small but deeply committed team.
What sets us apart isn’t just the numbers, it’s the heart each artist brings to every patient interaction. We meet each child where they are, spending as much time as they need in the creative process, forming uniquely nonclinical connections through shared artmaking.
Each year, we celebrate our patient artists through a special exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA), showcasing their incredible work in a professional setting. This year’s opening reception will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2–4 pm, and is free and open to the public. The event brings together the young artists, their families, and the community to honor the creativity and resilience we see every day.
We’ve been able to grow and sustain this work thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, especially through our annual fundraising event, which will be held this year on Saturday, September 13 at 6 pm, also at MOCA Jacksonville, with tickets available for purchase on our website.
Today, our services extend beyond Wolfson to include Nemours Children’s Health, Mayo Clinic, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, and more. As we approach our 25th anniversary, we reflect on how far we’ve come—from a single suitcase to a deeply rooted presence in healthcare, with an impact that can be measured in numbers and felt in the hearts of those we serve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any organization, we’ve had our share of growing pains. As a unique program in a field that’s still evolving and working toward standardization, there’s been a lot of learning along the way. One major challenge was navigating the impact of COVID-19. We had to quickly adapt to ensure patients could still access the healing power of art, while also showing our sponsors that our work remained vital. We began producing YouTube art tutorials and went live weekly on Facebook so patients could stay connected to the creative process and to the artists they know and trust.
Another ongoing challenge, though a welcome one, is keeping up with demand. The need for meaningful, healing art experiences continues to grow, and we are continually working to bring on exceptional artists to meet that need. One way we do this is through our University of North Florida Internship Program, originally founded by Louise Freshman Brown and now led by Jason John. Many of our current team members started as interns and have since transitioned into full-time Artists-in-Residence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Art with a Heart in Healthcare, our team helps patients use art as a way to express themselves and find moments of peace during really difficult times. Illness doesn’t just affect the body. It can weigh heavily on someone’s emotions and sense of self. Medicine is essential, but it doesn’t always make a person feel whole. That’s where we come in.
What I’m most proud of is creating space for people to feel seen and heard through art. It’s not about making something perfect; it’s about connection, expression, and sometimes just giving someone a sense of control or comfort when they need it most.
How do you think about happiness?
As an Artist-in-Residence, there are two parts of my work that really fill my heart with joy. One is when we have several patients and family members in the playroom, all creating art and connecting with each other. Those kinds of interactions often wouldn’t happen without AWAHIH creating that safe space and giving them a reason to leave their hospital rooms. It’s especially meaningful because so many of these kids are missing out on everyday experiences like school, sports, and spending time with friends.
The other is when a patient or family member asks to see you by name. The bonds we build, sometimes over the course of years, are incredibly special. Knowing that you, as a person, made a positive impact on their hospital stay and their healing process is the most rewarding feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.awahih.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artwithaheartinhealthcare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artwithaheartinhealthcare
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-with-a-heart-in-healthcare-inc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artwithaheartinhealthcare
- Other: https://www.tikok.com/@artwithaheartjax
