To commemorate the founding and opening of PresbyterianHospital of Rockwall, a special oil painting has been completed by a popular local artist and signed by all 34 founding fathers of the now one-year old medical facility.

Now hanging in the administrative conference room on the hospital’s second floor is “Where There Is Unity … God Commands a Blessing,” created by Heath resident Vicki Hoarty, whose paintings are also on display in the Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel and Blue Canyon Kitchen, Tavern & Wine Bar at The Harbor.

The painting may be viewed online at www.vhoarty.com.

According to Hoarty, the idea for the commemorative piece evolved after she contacted Hospital president Ken Teel during construction to suggest placement of artwork from local artists in the new facility. 

After a hard hat tour and interview, in which she learned that art reproductions had already been chosen for patient rooms and the main areas of the hospital, Teel indicated that he would like something to commemorate all of the founders and their vision of unity. 

“The Teels wanted something extraordinary, not just a plaque with names,” Hoarty said. 

So off she went to her studio where she created a preliminary sketch of her interpretation of their vision.

“Listening to Mr. Teel share his journey and speak so highly of the founding directors,” she explained, “My thoughts went directly to a sermon I heard a pastor preach one Sunday morning he based on Psalm 133 in the Bible.”

“The words will be forever engraved in my heart: “Where there is unity, God commands a blessing.” I could feel the word coming to life with Mr. Teel’s respect and gratefulness he felt about the founding directors for the hospital.”

Soon, after the Hospital president and his wife and partner, Becky, saw the sketch, the commission was given for a final painting.  

They said they are thrilled with the final product.

“Vicki did an absolutely fabulous job,” said Mrs.Teel. “We wish everyone could see her masterpiece.”

“We’re so very happy to be able to place such a beautiful work from a local artist in the hospital,” Mr. Teel added. “It’s a real work of love, just as the hospital has been for the founders.”

The multi-colored, earth-toned painting, based upon Psalm 133 in the Bible, is interpreted as people working in unity with God’s blessing to follow, according to Hoarty.

The delicately-detailed, 36” by 48” float painting shows six hands of mixed races, twisted together and reaching upward just to the right of the painting’s center.

“The hands represent unity,” she explained, “and the olive branch represents the blessing.”

The medium green olive branch, with light green and sometimes yellow leaves, extends from the bottom left up and across the hands to the far top right.

“The right side, which is painted in reds and oranges, represents the future,” she said. “It is constantly growing.”

The left side, painted in similar darker colors, represents the heart behind the birth of the vision to build the hospital.

 Also in the background are what appear to be small and medium sized buildings or building blocks which represent the construction of the facility, she added.

Once the painting was completed, all 34 founding directors signed their names on the artwork from top to bottom, and from left to right.

Listed in alphabetical order, they are:

Gary Bonacquisti M.D., physician, president board of managers

Tim Bray D.O., physician, governing board member

Marc Brown M.D., physician, board member

Ken Bryce M.D., physician, board member

Amy Conner, employee health nurse

Paul Davis, governing board member

Robin Fry, controller

David Garman, director facilities management

Robert Gault, lab director

JoAnna Hailey, director of quality management

Kathy Hackney, director human resources

Tami Hawkins, director emergency

Alma Howard, governing board

Mandy Kaufhold, director business services

Kirte Kinser, president of governing board

David Lensch M.D., physician, board member

Jewell Malick D.O., physician, board member

Brad Matlock, director of physical therapy

Cookie Moer, director of medical surgical unit

Cindy Paris, chief nursing officer

Pastor Bob Reeves, chaplain

Julia Rheinfeldt, educator education

Don Ritchey, director cardiopulmonary

JoJo Sanders, director clinical IT

Rob Scheele, director pharmacy

Sandy Sheffler, director of nutrition

Donna Stewart, director ICU, intermediate care

Kay Tally, director of materials management

Chuck Tawater, director environmental services

Ken Teel, hospital president

Becky Teel, team member

Ruth Thomas, director utilization management

Christy Thornton, executive assistant

David Whittington, director radiology

For more information about the painting or about Hoarty’s works, visit www.vhoarty.com or call her studio at 972-771-1612.