The tree that was planted at Ascension Via Christi Thursday can be seen on the east side of the hospital. (Photo by Derek Simmons/KMAN)

Ascension Via Christi Hospital hosted a tree-planting ceremony Thursday morning in recognition of Earth Day and those who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Tracey Biles, Ascension Via Christi chief mission integration officer, explains the significance of holding the ceremony on Earth Day.

“In the cycle of life, we are blessed in healthcare,” Biles said. “We get to be here when babies are born everyday, but we’re also here when people go to their heavenly home everyday and it is a continuum. Trees are just a great reminder that life is a cycle and that we’re all in this together.”

According to Bob Copple, Ascension Via Christi president and CEO, the tree that was chosen is a locally-grown spruce tree.

“I think that just kind of underscores our belief that healthcare is local,” Copple said. “It’s literally your friends and neighbors who are taking care of you.”

Copple also emphasized the tree’s relatively long life-span as a reason for its selection.

“Spruce trees typically live 40, 50, 60, 80 years, even,” Copple said. “I really think that speaks to that lifelong commitment to taking care of people.”

The newly planted tree can be seen on the east side of the hospital.

Bob Atchison, Kansas Forest Service rural forestry program coordinator, attended the ceremony and says the event gave him an opportunity to express his gratitude to local healthcare workers.

“There’s like 6,000 people that {Ascension} Via Christi has run through their system this year that have been infected with COVID,” Atchison said. “I just am so personally grateful for the work they’ve done to get us through this pandemic.”

Atchison says he typically attends several tree-planting ceremonies on Earth Day and Arbor Day.

The Manhattan tree-planting ceremony was one of many held at Ascension Via Christi facilities across Kansas, including the Wamego Health Center.

 

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