St. Luke's McCall unveils healing garden and 'Shelter' sculpture welcoming patients

On July 24, the St. Luke’s McCall Foundation hosted a heartfelt celebration to dedicate the new Healing Garden and unveil the “Shelter” sculpture at St. Luke’s McCall.

This beautiful garden was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Ed Droge—a retired family medicine physician and current foundation board member—along with support from community members and hospital employees. The garden is lovingly dedicated to Dr. Droge’s wife, Mary Lou Droge, who passed away in 2010.

Mary Lou was passionate about gardening and deeply committed to the McCall hospital. She served as a member of the Auxiliary for 40 years, holding board positions and volunteering at nearly every fundraising event. She also gave 23 years of service as a hospital volunteer, leaving a legacy of compassion and dedication.

The Healing Garden was designed and installed by Erica and Jamie Laidlaw of Laidlaw Design Co., in collaboration with Gusti Laidlaw and Pavla Clouser.

The garden offers a peaceful space for reflection and renewal for patients, visitors, and staff. It features a vibrant array of flowers and plants, a soothing water element.

A special bench in the garden is dedicated in memory of Rich Holm Sr., who passed away in 2021.

Dan Krahn, St. Luke’s Health System Board member spoke about Rich, his career in health care and his devotion to expanding access to high-quality health care in Idaho’s rural communities, with a special focus on McCall. Rich’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee helped secure the designation of critical access hospitals, transforming health care across Idaho and beyond. Rich’s love for his family, friends, and the McCall wilderness was evident in the time he spent exploring the region’s forests and backcountry.

The celebration also marked the unveiling of Shelter, a powerful sculpture by artist Benjamin Victor. Victor is the only living artist to have three works in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. Commissioned through the generosity of Maureen O’Keeffe-Wing and Vern Wing, the piece was created over several years of collaboration. Victor sought to capture the essence of healing and care—the universal touch offered by caregivers throughout life.

The sculpture’s inscription reads: “Offered to uplift the spirit and inspire healing for all who pass through these doors.”