Kettering Health

Story by Konni Lorenz

The sun beats down on a humid July day. Bruce Kidney stands, his hands full of fresh vegetables, waiting for the door to open at a home in Dayton, Ohio’s Riverdale neighborhood. When it does, he’ll offer the produce.

The vegetables came from the Unity Garden directly behind Kettering Health Dayton.

Sitting on property owned by the medical center, the garden is in a community heavily populated by African refugees placed there as part of its refugee settlement program.

Caring for patients and plants

Story by Catherine Morris

Passersby in the ICU at Kettering Health’s Soin Medical Center may notice artwork hanging on the wall. A painting of a colorful tree that is—at a closer look—made of something unique: medication bottlecaps.

A small plaque at the bottom notes that the art is called “The Healing Hands of ICU.” What many may not realize is the art was created by someone in that same unit: Molly Brodess, charge nurse leader.

A Journey to ICU

A hospital stay at a young age motivated Molly to find a career where she could help others heal. She started as a nursing assistant in 2012, then worked her way to becoming a nurse.

Story by Doug Walker

Kettering Health in Ohio is updating its patient menus, making it easier to choose a plant-forward meal option during their hospital stay.

Plant-forward diets focus on high-fiber foods like whole grains and oat products, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. There is a focus on plant proteins, though the diet still includes meat protein like lean cuts of poultry, eggs, and fish.