IU Health Arnett Hospital celebrates Tree Campus designation

Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus Healthcare Facility and becomes only the second healthcare campus in Indiana to receive the honor.

To earn Tree Campus recognition, IU Health Arnett Hospital met all five program standards, which include establishing a tree advisory committee, implementing a facility tree care plan, leading a community forestry project, hosting or sponsoring a community event and investing in ongoing campus tree care.

“This designation is not a one-time achievement, but a reflection of our commitment to making Indiana one of the healthiest states,” says Art Vasquez, president of IU Health’s North Region. “We recognize that health is shaped not only by the care inside hospital walls, but also by the environments surrounding them. Trees and green spaces play a vital role in supporting both physical and emotional well-being.”

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, access to nature reduces stress, promotes exercise, improves air quality and creates more climate-resilient communities by mitigating extreme heat and minimizing flood impacts. Efforts like Arnett’s support IU Health’s broader commitment to community health.

Rooted in community

To commemorate the designation and celebrate Arbor Day, the tree advisory committee selected three trees to plant on campus: a tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), a swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) and an American beech (Fagus grandifolia).

"Planting these trees is a tangible way we’re investing in the long-term well-being of our community,” says Zonda Bryant, a North Region clinical research coordinator and member of the tree advisory committee. “By choosing species that will thrive here, we’re helping ensure a healthier, more resilient campus for future generations.”

Looking ahead to a greener campus

As the IU Health Cancer Center – Lafayette begins to take shape on the Arnett Hospital campus, changes are being made to the Healing Garden space. Memorial trees removed during construction will be replaced at a three-to-one ratio elsewhere on campus.

Plans for the Cancer Center include a future Healing Garden designed to support patients, visitors and team members. The space will feature shaded areas created by new trees, ample seating and thoughtful landscaping with native Indiana plants.

The three trees planted in celebration of Arbor Day represent just the beginning of ongoing efforts to expand and enhance green spaces across the Arnett campus.