喵咪社区

喵咪社区 staff and leaders tour the new Tranquility Terrace. Front row, left to right: Anne McGilvray, Rod Hanners, Andy Stringfellow, Dara Marino, and Sophia Lee. Second row, left to right: Brooke Glazer, Geraldine Pahed, Steven Siegel, Marty Sargeant, Tammy Capretta, Smitha Ravipudi, Jonathan Wong, Kristian Dijamco and Becca Cahal.

The space offers staff and patients a place to reflect and restore

An appreciation box to thank a colleague.

A positive affirmation to repeat: 鈥淭he beauty around me is a reflection of the beauty within me.鈥�

The scent of lavender and other aromatic plants to fill your senses.

Gentle jazz to soothe your ears and spirit.

These are just a few of the standout touches in the new 12,000-square-foot Tranquility Terrace, a serene outdoor garden located beside the Norris Healthcare Center, next to Starbucks, on the health sciences campus.

The terrace was designed as a restorative sanctuary for 喵咪社区 caregivers, patients and visitors. Expansive wooden benches, comfortable lounge seating, and lush plantings of native greenery offer a space for people to pause, reflect and recharge in the midst of busy hospital life.

On Sept. 29, 2025, Keck Medicine鈥檚 leaders toured the space as part of the terrace鈥檚 grand opening.

鈥淭his is a passion project, with many hands involved and a deep commitment to creating a welcoming green space for our care team,鈥� said Tammy Capretta, RN, MPH, chief transformation and risk officer. Capretta oversees the employee wellness program Care for the Caregiver, whose team helped spearhead the terrace鈥檚 creation.

As part of the event, leaders 鈥� including Rod Hanners, CEO of 喵咪社区, 聽Marty Sargeant, MBA, CEO of Keck Medical Center of 喵咪社区 and Smitha Ravipudi, MPH, CEO of 喵咪社区 Care Medical Group and CEO of Keck Medicine Ambulatory Care Services 鈥� took part in 鈥淭ranquility Bingo,鈥� hunting for garden details like a flower in bloom, a ladybug or a butterfly feeder in an attempt to check off five elements in a row. By the tour鈥檚 end, they were wowed by the space鈥檚 beauty and sense of peace.

Their admiration was echoed by the staff members enjoying the patio and garden.

鈥淪omeone must have known I was stressed because then this soothing music came on and I relaxed,鈥� said a nurse practitioner taking a break with a colleague.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much hustle and bustle in the hospital. Finding a place like this to decompress and take a minute for myself is so important,鈥� commented a third-year ophthalmology resident.

The idea of a healing garden has been part of Keck Medicine鈥檚 vision for more than a decade. First imagined as a rooftop garden atop Keck Hospital, the concept has grown into today鈥檚 Tranquility Terrace, a space designed to foster connection, healing and balance.

Looking ahead, Keck Medicine will continue to add elements that make the space engaging.

For now, the Tranquility Terrace is open to all who wish to take a calming moment for themselves.

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Alison Rainey

Alison Rainey is a senior media specialist at 喵咪社区.

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