Walking Toward Healing: Adventist Health Columbia Gorge's Labyrinth Garden and the Planetree Legacy

At Adventist Health Columbia Gorge, wellbeing is more than a program, it is a philosophy woven into every corner of our campus and every interaction with patients, families, and staff. One of the most meaningful symbols of this commitment is our Labyrinth Garden, a terrazzo stone walking path located just outside the Celilo Center.

Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has only one path leading to the center and back out again. It is designed to provide a calming, meditative journey that encourages reflection, prayer, and renewal. Many describe the experience in three stages:

Purgation — clearing the mind and heart, walking slowly and breathing deeply.

Illumination — pausing at the center for prayer, meditation, or simply quiet awareness.

Union — carrying peace, courage, and hope back into daily life.

For decades, Adventist Health Columbia Gorge (formerly Mid-Columbia Medical Center) has been proud to be one of the nation’s first Planetree hospitals. The Planetree philosophy is centered on humanizing healthcare, placing patients and families at the heart of every decision, and recognizing that healing is more than physical, it is emotional, social, and spiritual as well. Our Labyrinth Garden is a visible expression of that vision.

This commitment is not sustained by tradition alone. A dedicated Wellbeing & Planetree Committee continues to meet regularly, guiding programs that nurture whole-person health for patients, caregivers, and the community. Whether through initiatives like the Labyrinth Garden, art and music programs, or support for staff wellness, the committee helps ensure that our healing environment grows with the needs of those we serve.

The garden reminds us that the path to healing is not a straight line but a journey, sometimes quiet, sometimes shared with others, but always leading us back to a place of peace. In a world that can feel busy and overwhelming, it offers a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most.

At Adventist Health Columbia Gorge, we are proud to carry forward the Planetree legacy of compassionate, patient-centered care, not just within the walls of our hospital, but in the gardens, art, and spaces that surround it.