West Liberty University students bring creativity and comfort to pediatric care at Wheeling Hospital

Through the power of community collaboration and student innovation, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital is proud to celebrate the completion of a unique art initiative that will transform the patient experience for children and families receiving care at the WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Robert Sonneborn Family Pediatric Outpatient Center.

In partnership with West Liberty University, students from the university’s Graphic Design program recently completed a series of custom-designed murals that now brighten the pediatric care space, creating an engaging and welcoming environment for young patients and their families. The project brought together students, faculty, healthcare leaders, and community partners in a year-long collaboration focused on enhancing the healing environment through thoughtful design.

The initiative gave students the opportunity to manage a real-world creative project from concept development through final execution, presenting their ideas to leadership teams, incorporating feedback, navigating revisions, and bringing their work to life in a healthcare setting where it will have a lasting impact on the community.

“I am so honored to be part of this community-wide initiative, and grateful that Jessica Moore of WVU Medicine invited West Liberty University Graphic Design students to participate in this inspiring experiential learning opportunity,” said Sarah Davis, professor of Graphic Design at West Liberty University. “Jessica was so supportive and encouraging in working with students from three different graduating classes. Lindsey Scripture and Rod Haley from Oglebay Resort were also incredibly welcoming and generous partners during this project. Each student designed a mural from beginning to end, pitching their concepts to executive boards, making revisions under tight deadlines, and working through all stages of development throughout the year-long design process. I’m beyond proud to have, in collaboration with enthusiastic community members, guided WLU's dedicated Graphic Design students to bring these supportive and interactive murals to children and families seeking care at the Robert Sonneborn Family Pediatric Outpatient Center in Wheeling.”

According to hospital leadership, the project reflects WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital’s continued commitment to investing not only in exceptional clinical care, but also in creating environments that support comfort, healing, and positive experiences for patients of all ages.

“This project perfectly represents what can happen when healthcare, education, and community partnerships come together with a shared purpose,” said Jessica Moore, assistant vice president of Foundation and Community Relations at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. “These students brought incredible creativity, professionalism, and passion to a project that will positively impact children and families for years to come. We are grateful to West Liberty University and all of our community partners who helped make this vision a reality.”

The newly completed murals will serve as a vibrant and meaningful addition to the WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Robert Sonneborn Family Pediatric Outpatient Center, helping create a more comforting and interactive space designed with young patients in mind.

As WVU Medicine continues to expand access to specialized pediatric care across the region, partnerships like this demonstrate the organization’s ongoing dedication to improving the healthcare experience while strengthening connections throughout the communities it serves. The pediatric outpatient center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026.