By Rory Pasquariello

Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is proud to unveil Jersey City Blooms, a vibrant large-scale mural by local doctor and artist Dr. Amira Alnakeb. The inspiring artwork was recently installed on  the exterior  wall of the Medical Center along Grand Street, symbolizing the intersection of art, healing, and community.

Photo: Dr. Amira Alnakeb

Selected from over 100 submissions to the Flood Wall Mural Program, curated by The Bridge Art Gallery, Jersey City Blooms was chosen by a committee of Jersey City Medical Center staff and leaders. The mural was designed to beautify Jersey City and reflect its multicultural spirit and the Medical Center’s core values of care, equity, and inclusivity.

Depicting healthcare workers celebrating against a backdrop of flowers and iconic Jersey City landmarks, the 25-by-11-foot mural highlights the role of healthcare professionals and the power of teamwork. For Dr. Alnakeb, the piece is deeply personal. “I know the challenges healthcare workers face. I know how much care and dedication that healthcare workers, especially at Jersey City Medical Center, puts in to help their patients and serve them. I wanted the mural to honor their efforts and challenges. It represents how committed we are to help and how amazing our teamwork is.”

At Jersey City Medical Center, we believe that art plays an essential role in healthcare. It is the path to healing and has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people. “Art brings a sense of comfort and hope to our patients, staff, and the greater community,” said Robert Winston, Interim Chief Operating Officer at Jersey City Medical Center. “We are honored to support initiatives like the Flood Wall Mural Program, which reflects our commitment to fostering creativity and celebrating the diverse communities we serve.” Winston said. 

Dr. Alnakeb’s journey to create Jersey City Blooms exemplifies how art and medicine are deeply intertwined. After attending medical school in Egypt and moving to the United States, she found solace and inspiration in her art. Encouraged by her husband, a doctor at Jersey City Medical Center, she submitted her design to the program and was thrilled to be selected.

“I discovered how much I love bringing healthcare and art together,” said Dr. Alnakeb. “It’s very powerful in expressing healing and connection. As a healthcare provider, it can be a source of motivation.”

The mural’s imagery reflects unity, diversity, and the resilience of the Jersey City community. “I want people to think about unity in the image of doctors holding hands and diversity in the flowers because they come in all shapes and colors,” said Dr. Alnakeb. “Regardless of our backgrounds, we are all a part of this community. It is a diverse community, and I want people coming into the hospital to see a colorful project and feel uplifted.”

As Jersey City Medical Center continues to prioritize initiatives that enhance the well-being of its community, projects like Jersey City Blooms reaffirm the belief that art and healthcare go hand in hand. Whether in a patient room, a hallway, or a large-scale mural like this, art has the unique ability to heal, uplift, and inspire.

For Dr. Alnakeb, this project is just the beginning. As she embarks on her medical residency journey specializing in internal medicine, she plans to continue creating art that bridges the worlds of healthcare and creativity. “It’s all a lot of work,” she said. “But art lifts me and inspires me. I’ll keep making it.”

Jersey City Medical Center invites the community to visit the mural which will be on display indefinitely.