Splashes of Hope is a non-profit organization that creates artwork in medical environments. Splashes of Hope paintings are used in medical settings as tools for pain management, therapeutic distraction, soothing visualization, and focal points during necessary procedures. The newly “Splashed” suite at Good Samaritan Hospital will be more calming to traumatized victims of sexual assault. Two murals and two ceiling tiles were created and installed.

Funds for this project were raised at the Splashes of Hope Annual Trustees Dinner that honored Steve Levy and Colleen West. Good Samaritan’s affiliation with the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) is responsible for the location of the SANE center within the hospital facility. VIBS is a private, non-profit, community-based agency that exists to assist survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and incest; and to raise community awareness of the need for justice and compassion for victims.

Good Samaritan hospital medical center became Suffolk County’s first designated SANE center in 1996. The SANE Program provides victims of rape and sexual assault comprehensive and compassionate heath care, while simultaneously ensuring that accurate and appropriate forensic evidence is collected. Certified sexual assault nurse examiners are paged to the SANE facility whenever a sexual assault survivor arrives at the Medical Center. The nurses’ understanding of the crime ensures that victims receive prompt medical care and the support services to help alleviate post-assault trauma. The SANE facility houses a private exam room and shower. After examination and evidence collection, the survivors are able to change into new clothing contributed by supporting corporations, community groups and individuals.

For more information on Good Samaritan’s SANE program, please call (631) 376-4444.

To contact VIBS, please call 631-360-3606.

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Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is a 537-bed (including 100 nursing home beds), voluntary, not-for-profit hospital located in West Islip. The Medical Center, which has 4,000 employees and more than 700 physicians on staff, had 29,000 patient admissions and more than 85,800 emergency room visits in 2006. Good Samaritan is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island. Visit our website at www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.

Good Samaritan provides approximately $20 million in community service and charity care each year. The Medical Center supplies residents with the tools necessary to maintain good health. This includes community lectures, screenings, health fairs and other community programs and services.