Bloomington, Indiana – IU Health Bloomington joined forces with Indiana University leaders on Friday, April 25, to mark National Arbor Day with a traditional tree planting ceremony. The event took place at the Indiana University Regional Academic Health Center, where participants gathered to celebrate the importance of trees and their impact on both the environment and human health.
Denzil Ross, President of IU Health South Region, opened the fifth-annual event by highlighting the significance of the day and congratulating the team on a special honor. The health center has once again been recognized as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus Healthcare Facility, a testament to its ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“Welcome to our Arbor Day celebration, a day to honor the incredible power of nature and the profound healing that trees provide,” said Ross. “Today, as we plant a new tree and care for existing ones, let us remember how they sustain us physically and spiritually. Together, let’s celebrate Arbor Day by acknowledging the gifts that trees bestow upon us and working towards a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with our environment.”
The highlight of the morning was the planting of a young Bald Cypress tree, specifically a 3- to 4-year-old “Shawnee Brave” variety. This tree, native to Indiana and the southeastern United States, was carefully chosen for its strength and adaptability. The ‘Shawnee Brave’ cultivar is known for its narrow, upright growth, making it perfect for the Health Center’s landscape. It also thrives in a range of conditions, from wet to dry soils, and shows resilience against urban pollution and other stressful growing environments.
Mia Williams, University Landscape Architect at Indiana University, spoke about the value of adding greenery to community spaces. “Any and every addition we can make to the natural environment that surrounds us is a benefit on many levels. Trees, in particular, have the ability to beautify our world but also clean our air, help handle our stormwater and help us pay attention to the world around us,” said Williams.
The ceremony emphasized not just the act of planting a tree but the broader meaning behind it. Trees play a vital role in improving air quality, managing stormwater, providing shade, and even offering emotional and psychological benefits to those who live and work near them. With healthcare facilities focusing more on holistic wellness, green spaces are becoming an essential part of creating environments that heal both body and spirit.
The Arbor Day event has become a meaningful tradition for IU Health Bloomington and Indiana University. Each year, leaders and staff come together to renew their commitment to the environment and to inspire others to think about how small actions, like planting a tree, contribute to larger changes in the community.
As the young Bald Cypress took root, those in attendance were reminded of the lasting impact a single tree can have. It is not just a symbol of growth and resilience for the campus but also a pledge to continue nurturing the world we all share.
IU Health Bloomington’s Arbor Day celebration once again demonstrated that healthcare is about more than treating illness — it is about fostering environments where people, nature, and communities can thrive together.
