Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice to host art gallery

By day, Dr. Amy Golden, DMD, of Voorhees improves people’s smiles as a full-time dentist with her own practice in Berlin.

In her free time, she enjoys nature photography and continues to help people smile by displaying her works. Golden, along with 11 other local photographers, are the featured artists at the Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice Inpatient Art Gallery at Virtua Memorial, 175 Madison Avenue located in Mount Holly. A portion of art sale proceeds will benefit Samaritan’s programs and services

Golden chaired the committee of South Jersey Camera Club members whose works will be on display at the Samaritan gallery until Oct. 31.

“I witnessed Samaritan’s extraordinary care during the terminal illnesses of my two close friends, Dr. Karen Knox and Susan Tannery. I am grateful for their wonderful support during a very difficult time for family and friends. I decided to chair this photographic exhibit to show my appreciation to Samaritan. The tender kindness of the hospice workers will always be remembered and helps to soften the sad memories of my friends’ last days,” said Golden.

Her work on display is entitled Pure Passion.

Other featured artists joined Golden to celebrate the gift hospice has provided their loved ones, to provide a calming atmosphere to patients and their guests at Samaritan’s Inpatient Hospice Center and to support Samaritan services by donating a portion of the sales to care for patients and families.

“Field of Flowers and Garden Entrance are on display in loving memory of my father, Albert G. Lyons, who died of cancer two years ago,” said artist Larry Lyons of Woodbury. “My family will never forget the extraordinary care and assistance that a hospice team in Pennsylvania provided my father and my family. They insured that his final few days were comfortable and dignified.”

Photographer Susan Carson of Cinnaminson added, “I have been closely involved with the passing of two dear friends who died in the extraordinary care of hospice caregivers. Hospice provides a caring and compassionate service, comfort and information during a very stressful and sad time.”

Carson chose Fingers Crossed for this exhibit because, “its cheerful color gives a reminder of bright times and warm embraces.”

“Samaritan was a kind helper to my late wife in her final weeks,” said Ralph Berglund of Medford. He chose to display two tulip photographs because of the pleasant and calming feeling they will give hospice patients and families.

“Samaritan is a wonderful organization that was a tremendous help to my family in a time of need. It is my hope that these images will help to uplift those who pass through the Samaritan Inpatient Center Art Gallery,” said artist Denise Bush of Tabernacle.

“When Amy Golden proposed that our camera club provide a collection of photographs to hang in the Samaritan Inpatient Hospice Center Art Gallery for the benefit of the patients’ families, it made me think how much my wife and I would have appreciated such a display when her 92-year old mother was going through a similar fate. Since then, we have witnessed two more friends pass away in similar circumstances, also with nothing like this for family and friends. I am more than happy to take part in this photographic exhibit,” said John Costello of Marlton.

Local artists from the SJCC on display at the Samaritan Inpatient Hospice Center include:

Amy Golden of Voorhees, Bonnie Rovere of Shamong, Denise Bush of Tabernacle; Elaine Walsh of Southampton, Frank Sauerwald of Woodbury, John Costello of Marlton, Larry Lyons of Woodbury, Mike Pillows of Browns Mills, Patricia Worley of Medford Lakes, Ralph Berglund of Medford, Reginald Wickham of Mount Laurel and Susan Carson of Cinnaminson.

A minimum of 15 percent of the proceeds of exhibit sales will benefit Samaritan patients and families. The public is invited to view the exhibit seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

South Jersey Camera Club (SJCC) was organized to promote the art and science of photography. Among its goals is the desire to unite others in sharing similar interests, to exchange ideas and photographic expertise and to enhance the skills of club members.

The Samaritan Inpatient Hospice Center Gallery is located on the second floor of Virtua Memorial, 175 Madison Avenue located in Mount Holly.

For more information about the show or Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice services, please call 1–800–229–8183 or visit www.SamaritanHealthcareNJ.org.