Photo credit: Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals
CASE STUDY
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals has been a national leader in rehabilitative care since 1958, offering innovative and comprehensive rehabilitation services to adults and children with neurological conditions and complex medical diagnoses.
Serving patients across two Nebraska campuses, one in Lincoln and one in Omaha, Madonna takes an intentional approach to healing, emphasizing human connection and holistic well-being — a mission that aligns closely with Nature Sacred’s. Their facilities are thoughtfully designed to offer patients an encouraging setting for therapeutic learning and recovery. They also serve as a model for rehabilitative care to patients throughout the Midwest and across the country.
The Need
Nate Driml and his family experienced the idea for therapeutic green spaces during his daughter’s rehabilitation journey at the Omaha campus back in March of 2019. She was diagnosed with a rare condition called acute flaccid myelitis and spent an extended period in inpatient care, and later as an outpatient, giving he and his family a firsthand experience of the world class care that was taking place throughout the hospital.
“Spring was in the air during our stay at Madonna. Temperatures were warming, and we wanted to get our daughter outside to soak in the warm sun and take in all things spring,” said Driml who is an outdoor enthusiast and understands the healing power of nature. However, he discovered, there was no real outdoor garden area for patients and families to utilize.
Fast forward a few years, and Driml who is now employed at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals as the associate vice president of development, leaned on his daughter’s (who has since made a full recovery) experience and quickly realized that providing a strategic, intentional and dedicated “sacred space” to complement the existing world class therapy offerings was a priority.
Nature Sacred was brought to his attention through a well-known Omaha family with ties to Tom Stoner, the founder of the organization. The idea was conveyed to Madonna leadership and the approval to begin design work and fundraising for such a space came to light in the spring of 2023.
The Solution
Madonna’s mission of holistic wellness and immersive support aligns closely with Nature Sacred’s core values, so this was an ideal opportunity for collaboration. Both organizations share a deep commitment to treating the whole person and recognizing the profound connection between environment and healing. Paul Dongilli Jr., President and CEO of Madonna, championed the partnership, recognizing how such dedicated spaces could enhance Madonna’s comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.
“Madonna was founded by the Benedictine Sisters of Yankton South Dakota in 1958. They had a strong belief in the restorative power of nature. Their rich tradition of hospitality and holistic healing has shaped Madonna’s mission and permeates our culture more than 65 years later. We are excited to partner with Nature Sacred to create garden spaces that will be both contemplative and therapeutic,” Dongilli said.
Driml relied on hospital-wide feedback to narrow down garden priorities and scope. Community members and medical professionals from every department of the hospital came together to design the sacred place on the Omaha campus and share perspectives on both patient and staff needs. Physical therapists pointed out the benefits of practicing walking on a variety of surfaces, to add motivating real-world context to the skills patients are acquiring. Occupational therapists noted how outdoor tasks, like bird watching, gardening, and navigating, could provide cognitive engagement.
Thanks to generous contributions from several enthusiastic local donors, final construction planning for the Omaha project is now underway. The project includes renovating the existing courtyard space, adding seating for quiet reflection and relaxation and incorporating many of the staff ideas including: 
- Entrance portals. Clear demarcations of the dedicated space along walkways remind patients, staff and visitors to embrace its beauty and therapeutic qualities with mindfulness.
- Therapeutic swings. Swings support pediatric patients’ sensory needs, including swings that pair with motorized wheelchairs to offer movement for all.
- Features to engage all five senses. Colorful, fragrant flowers, fruit trees and fountains with running water provide stimulating and relaxing sensory experiences.
- Walking loop. A whimsical quarter-mile “Yellow Brick Road” walking path paralleling a forested area connects the garden with a scenic overlook.
- Educational opportunities. Signage will share interesting facts about the local flora and fauna to support mental engagement and continued learning.
Construction is tentatively set to begin in the spring of 2026, and is estimated to be completed later that fall.
As patients and staff alike experience a renewed connection with nature and begin to reap the benefits of outdoor recovery, the importance of green healing spaces will become even more apparent. With a similar dedicated space planned for their Lincoln location (fundraising has begun), Madonna will provide a unique respite for patients across the Midwest region in need of cutting-edge rehabilitation, compassionate hospitality, and holistic healing.
“Part B” of this case study will follow post-construction in Fall 2026.
