When the elevator doors open to the subbasement of The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Sheikh Zayed Tower, a colorful mural comes into view. The commissioned project, completed in August 2022, celebrates the 300-plus employees who ensure that linens, patient meals, surgical instruments and other supplies reach departments in a timely manner via the “towline” — a milelong network of intercrossing tracks.
Every day, staff members load some 1,000 carts with requested supplies to be sent to various locations throughout the hospital. An operator inputs the destination information into a touch-screen console, and the system directs the cart where it needs to go.
Now, the support services employees who work behind the scenes can admire the 8-foot by 47-foot acrylic painting by local artist Bridget Cimino that depicts their critical roles.
The painting took 15 days to complete, and Cimino says working in the lowest level of the hospital posed unique challenges. “My ladder was knocked a few times by the carts when I wasn’t being vigilant,” she says, “but every single person was helpful and so excited to tell me their stories.”
The best part of the experience, she says, was when employees walked by and recognized themselves: “Oh, that’s me! So cool.”
The hospital’s towline — the only one in the country — was built in two sections, in 2004 and in 2011, to coincide with the opening of the 12-floor, 1.6 million-foot Zayed Tower and The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center building. The first half of the towline was installed prior to the buildings being built. The second half and the new towers were built and opened simultaneously.
“Many people in the institution don’t even know the system exists, nor about its vital role,” says Colleen Cusick, director of materials management and general services at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “Prior to the towline, this space virtually did not exist.”
Such subterranean activities are easily overlooked and underappreciated, but towline operations manager Gary Wagenfuehr says the new mural “is bringing work to life,” with images such as gloved hands carefully handling surgical instruments to transport. “The mural showcases different jobs in our department,” Wagenfuehr adds. “People are enjoying it, and it has definitely boosted morale.”
Among those enjoying the mural is Johns Hopkins Hospital registered dietitian Ginger Muscalli, associate director of patient services. “I love walking by and seeing all the colors and things that all the services handle,” she says. “Our work is very much behind the scenes.”
