The Richland Hospital and Clinics is proud to announce the opening of its new Therapeutic and Restorative Garden, a unique healing space designed to support patient recovery through the power of nature. The garden is the result of a heartfelt collaboration between Janelle Burnham and her father, Jim Burnham, combining vision, craftsmanship, and a shared dedication to helping others.

Physical Therapist Janelle Burnham, DPT, is deeply passionate about integrating health care and nature. She envisioned the garden as a space where patients could heal both physically and emotionally.

“A garden space works for so many areas of rehabilitation,” said Burnham. “Many of our patients were avid gardeners and really loved it. It ignites something in everyone who experiences this space.”

The garden is an active extension of care for multiple therapy disciplines, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. Patients benefit from more than just the beauty of the environment; they engage in meaningful activities that support mobility, coordination, and communication.

The design allows patients to practice balance, strength, and functional movement as they navigate the space. Activities such as planting, tending, and harvesting also encourage conversation and cognitive engagement.

“It’s more than the garden itself,” Burnham explained. “It’s moving across different terrain to get there, talking about what’s planted, reaching, balancing, and using adaptive gardening tools, all which really shows people what is possible with their recovery.”

Every detail of the garden was thoughtfully planned. A centrally placed bench serves as both a resting point and a transition space, while carefully selected plants including flowers, kale, Swiss chard, peppers, and tomatoes provide ongoing opportunities for interaction, learning, and enjoyment. “The plants are chosen to keep growing and providing. There are so many avenues for engagement,” Burnham added.

Bringing the vision to life required not only passion, but skill, and Janelle found the perfect partner in her father.
Jim Burnham brings a lifetime of experience to the project. He spent ten years farming with his wife before joining the Department of Defense, where he served as a military technician and was mobilized to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Following his military career, he turned his focus to carpentry, building multiple homes and refining his craft. Despite his extensive experience, Jim is quick to shift the spotlight to his daughter.

“This was all her idea,” he said. “She thought through every inch. I just added a little guidance.” Janelle smiled and said, “This was a dream I got to realize with the help of my dad.”

Looking ahead, Burnham hopes the current garden is just the beginning. Plans for future expansion could include a larger therapeutic garden space as part of the eventual new facility, further integrating nature-based healing into patient care. What began as a simple idea has taken root and promises to grow for years to come.