If someone said to take a picture of what health care means to you, where would you aim your camera?
Thanks to a collaboration between Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital (VWCH) and Wilson County Schools, students had the opportunity to consider what health care means to them and submit a photo to an inaugural art competition for the chance to win $250, $150 or $75 in gift card prizes.
The competition came about through the efforts of the VWCH Patient and Family Advisory Council, which serves as a bridge between the hospital and the community.
“At a council meeting one night, someone brought up the fact that elementary, middle and high school students right now are the future of health care,” said council chair Coley Karr. “I’m 60 years old and could very well see one of these kids as a provider in my lifetime.”
To get a better sense of health care through the eyes of local students, the council asked Carter Noblin, fine arts coordinator for the school district, to share competition details with teachers and students.
The council received many submissions by the Feb. 14 deadline, which they narrowed down to three finalists:
• Rylan Purvis — First place
• Elijah Cato — Second place
• Heather Tidwell — Third place
Though the council judged the work with no information about student names or schools, all three finalists came from Watertown High School. Edie Pope, an arts and theater teacher at Watertown High, received a sponsorship from the VWCH Patient and Family Advisory Council to attend the Tennessee Arts Academy Conference this summer.
In an unveiling ceremony on Monday, the council presented the awards in honor of Robert C. Bone, MD, who died in 2024 at the age of 87. Bone was a beloved Wilson County pediatrician who established University Hospital, which is now VWCH, in 1979.
“Dr. Bone cared for the children of Wilson County, some of whom have become present-day health care workers,” Karr said. “We wanted to continue to cultivate that same attitude and thought process moving forward in his honor.”
The winning photographs will be on loan to Wilson County Schools for temporary display, then will return to VWCH where they’ll be hung indefinitely.
“VWCH is honored to partner with Wilson County Schools on this effort,” said VWCH president Scott McCarver. “We strive to serve our community by providing the very best health care close to home, and Wilson County Schools is known for providing the highest quality education for our community. This project provides a great opportunity for students and teachers, while also encouraging the students to think about a future career in health care.”
