The late Jenniffer Albritton, 31, always had a gift for seeing beauty all around her, but it wasn’t until she was stricken with cancer that she discovered a new gift: the ability to create mosaic art. At a recent reception, five of her mosaics were dedicated at the newly-renovated Oncology Center at Western Baptist Hospital.

Western Baptist’s Project Manager Randy Davis said this is the first renovation to the center since it opened in 1987.

“We’ve added new finishes, new lighting and upgrades to the fire alarm and sprinkler system,” said Davis. “Other upgrades were made to improve staff efficiency.”

A second Linac unit, a linear accelerator machine that produces high-energy X-rays to treat cancer, also has been added.

“The addition of this machine will help make radiation therapy easier and less stressful,” said radiation oncologist Peter Locken, M.D. “We’ll be able to provide patients with readily-available services and treat them much quicker.”

Five of Albritton’s mosaics—The Mirror, Fish, Mother Nature, Night Light and Inner Beauty—are displayed.
“Before she passed, Jenniffer knew that her art had been selected to hang at Western Baptist,” said her husband, Chris Albritton. “She hoped they would inspire other patients going through trials similar to those she faced.”

Cecilia Marshall, Albritton’s friend, introduced her to mosaic art. Chris Albritton said his wife immediately connected with the creative medium and found it to be an outlet during her illness. She was pleased to know her work would be on view for others to enjoy in the center where she and her husband received treatment from a caring staff, he said.

“Jenniffer was a positive person,” said Albritton. “No matter what trials she faced in her own life, her spirits were always high. She always encouraged people never to give up and always to look for the beauty in everything around them.”