The National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation (NCCR) enjoys a reputation for being visually appealing and conducive to healing. In January 2013, a New Year’s surprise was in store for us.

Thanks to the generosity and painting prowess of the Board of Directors of the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), two large paintings were hung on the main NCCR hallway.

Paul Rao, PhD, ASHA 2011 president and MedStar NRH VP of Inpatient Operations and Compliance, participated in this ASHA Community Service Project in October 2012 by painting three safari-like pictures. Dr. Rao was one of the board Team Members that painted an endearing “panda picture.”

ASHA has generously donated two of the three pictures to our NCCR unit. The children in our pediatric unit now have a panda, giraffe and parrots watching over them.

-By Derek Berry