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Photos: UMMC dedicates 'Franny’s Hour' as time to heal

Published on Thursday, September 12, 2019

Frances Anne Fortner died on May 17, 2018, at age 18. With her passion for the arts and her compassion for others, she had brightened the lives of everyone who knew her. On Tuesday, the Medical Center dedicated its Healing Arts Program to the daughter of UMMC’s Tom Fortner and artist Laurilyn Fortner.

Overseen by the Office of Patient Experience, each offering in this series of creative and performing arts events will be staged periodically as an interlude of emotional and cultural fulfillment to benefit patients, families, caregivers, visitors and employees. It will be known as “Franny’s Hour.”

Dr. Charles O'Mara, associate vice chancellor for clinical affairs, describes UMMC's new Healing Arts program, dedicated Tuesday as "Franny's Hour" in tribute to Frances Anne Fortner, who passed away May 17, 2018, at the age of 18.
Dr. Charles O'Mara, associate vice chancellor for clinical affairs, describes UMMC's new healing arts program, dedicated Tuesday as "Franny's Hour" in tribute to Frances Anne Fortner, who died May 17, 2018 at the age of 18.
Dancers from Ballet Mississippi perform a selection for an audience of about 100 people gathered in the main lobby of the Medical Center.
Ballet Mississippi dancers perform in the main lobby of University Hospital.
Harpist/vocalist Laura Pitts performs one of three musical selections as dancers from Ballet Mississippi wait in the wings.
Laura Pitts, harpist/vocalist, performs a musical selection while Ballet Mississippi dancers wait in the wings.
Artist Ellen Langford, left, and Skye Stoker, director of UMMC's Office of Patient Experience, unveil Langford's painting, "All of This," which celebrates Frances Anne Fortner's "zest for life."
Ellen Langford, left, artist, and Skye Stoker, director of the Office of Patient Experience, unveil Langford's painting, "All of This," which celebrates Frances Anne Fortner's "zest for life."
Laurilyn and Tom Fortner, parents of Frances Anne, recall the joy their daughter found in the arts and the joy she brought to them.
Laurilyn and Tom Fortner, Frances Anne's parents, recall the joy their daughter found in the arts and the joy she brought to them.
Harpist/vocalist Laura Pitts performs one of three musical selections.
Pitts performs a musical selection.
Dancers from Ballet Mississippi perform a selection for an audience of about 100 people gathered in the main lobby of the Medical Center.
Ballet Mississippi dancers perform.
Laurilyn Fortner, second from right, meets with dancers and staff from Ballet Mississippi following “Franny’s Hour.” They are, from left, Cherri Barnett, associate artistic director; Jordan Ann Winborne; Aislynn McCarron; Frances Claire Jackson; Jamie Jenkins; Caroline Yelverton; Frances Madden; David Keary, artistic and executive director; (Laurilyn Fortner); and Elizabeth VanDeburgh, associate executive director.
Laurilyn Fortner, second from right, meets with Ballet Mississippi dancers and staff following “Franny’s Hour.” They include, from left, Cherri Barnett, associate artistic director; Jordan Ann Winborne; Aislynn McCarron; Frances Claire Jackson; Jamie Jenkins; Caroline Yelverton; Frances Madden; David Keary, artistic and executive director; and Elizabeth VanDeburgh, associate executive director.
As a student at Jackson Academy, Frances Anne won many school-level and district art competitions; these are two of her works.
As a student at Jackson Academy, Frances Anne Fortner won many school-level and district art competitions. These are two of her works.
Malcolm White, left, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, offers an impassioned critique of the proceedings to Tom Fortner, father of Frances Anne and UMMC's chief institutional advancement officer.
Malcolm White, left, Mississippi Arts Commission executive director, offers his impressions of the proceedings to Tom Fortner, chief institutional advancement officer.