Bringing Color to Hardship

While most hospital cafeterias have tables, chairs and food, Community Regional Medical Center goes a step beyond by providing its visitors whimsical murals hand-painted by a volunteer.

Ruben Zamora’s murals take about a week and a half to create. Each season Zamora comes up with a different theme to bring cheer to patients, visitors and Community staff. He’s painted a variety of scenes – the Simpsons, Three Little Pigs, Yogi Bear and Boo Boo and The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.” His latest creation is “Under the Sea,” which features a mermaid and tropical fish.

“They are here to grab a bite and people enjoy watching you paint,” Zamora said.

Zamora’s outgoing personality and ability to understand what people are enduring helps inspire his art and gives him the perseverance and strength to finish the pieces. He often takes breaks from painting his mural to listen to those who need support.

“It makes them feel better while undergoing such emotional stress,” he said.

With his Community volunteer badge, colorful paint and brushes in all shapes and sizes, Zamora has become a part of the Community team.

Ruben Zamora's completed mural in the Community Regional cafeteria.

“I was a patient here and I am grateful about how wonderfully they treated me,” he said. “I had cancer and have suffered through several heart attacks, people just picked me up and took me in and treated me like royalty.”

Zamora has been cancer-free for more than seven years.

“It’s something I can die from … I am a walking miracle,” Zamora said. 

Zamora is well known in the Southern California and the Central Valley fashion and art industry. Besides his art at Community he helps many other charitable organizations and continues to donate pieces of art for public fundraising.

This story was reported by Rebecca Wass. She can be reached at rwass@communitymedical.org.

Monday, July 21, 2008