BEAUTY IS WHERE YOU FIND IT, 2021, peonies

Artist: Ann N. Ramirez
Materials: Medication vial caps, glass vase, plastic
"It took a village to collect the hundreds of medication vial caps inside this flower vase. How they got collected is a saga in itself because with everyone ever so mindful of our core value of safety, I had to first get counsel and clearance from Infection Control on how to collect the vial caps without compromising the health of anyone involved in the undertaking. Moreover, the health and again safety of the people who would be recipients of the recycled medication vial caps were also a major consideration. This was of paramount importance in the midst of the Covid Pandemic in 2020. (Yes, it took time to collect these vial caps from floor to floor here at MD Anderson).
Last year, almost everybody I talked to was concerned and understandably so of collecting medication vial caps at the height of the pandemic. Thankfully, Infection Control gave me advice on how to collect the medication vial caps in a safe and sanitary way and not putting anyone at risk. I imparted the advice I was given to associate directors, managers, clinical nurse leaders, nurse colleagues, patient care technicians, pharmacists and pharmacy techs. I did this both in person and in writing. With their kind consideration and generosity of spirit, the fledgling endeavor of medication vial cap collection got some traction. And this work of art -- if I may-- is born
On a related note, I find that these medication vial caps in certain ways symbolize our MD Anderson belief that we are "STRONGER TOGETHER". For example, one medication vial cap no matter how colorful it is by itself alone may not mean much. It even gets discarded into the trash bin, but, with patience and perseverance, over time the diversity of colors merging together forming a whole make these vial caps create an art form beautiful to behold.
It is my hope that anyone who comes across a medication vial cap would save it. Given time one can have enough caps to make a vase such as the one here that I am donating to the institution that has given me so much in my nursing career.
May We Continue to Be A Blessing To Each Other." - Ann Ramirez