Staff Spotlight: Getting to know Jana Galvin, Community Life Leader

Jana Galvin is a community life leader at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, bringing her love of the arts to create a healing environment for patients.

Jana was born and raised in Vermont where she fell in love with nature and the arts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in art therapy and master’s in expressive therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge and decided to remain in the Boston area. 

After graduating from college, Jana started working as a clinician in a variety of group homes for adolescents. “I’m passionate about opening doors for others in healing, coping, communicating, and providing a sense of quality of life by utilizing the arts,” she says.

Jana has worked at Hebrew SeniorLife since 2010. As a leader of the life enhancement team, she strives to bring wellness through strengthening the mind, body, and spirit through meaningful topics. The life enhancement program provides a variety of options to help patients continue to pursue their interests and passions. Groups, programs, and events are designed to foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and opportunity for personal growth while they receive care as patients at HRC-Boston.

“Hebrew SeniorLife is an amazing place to work,” says Jana. “The floor I work on can be challenging at times, but the team and staff are so compassionate and caring. We believe in person-centered care and connecting on a personal level with our patients.”

Hebrew SeniorLife enticed Jana from the beginning of her career. She will never forget a story involving a mother and son that she recounts as her eyes fill up with tears.

“I remember my team and I were caring for a young mother with Alzheimer’s disease. Her son was getting married at the Arnold Arboretum. Two patient care assistant’s got the mother dressed up and took her over to see her son get married. The people that work here really care, and that’s why I’m here, too. Hebrew SeniorLife is a special place where staff takes pride in their job,” says Galvin.

Jana enjoys utilizing music and movement in many of her facilitated groups as she has seen a huge impact on the memory care floor. “I feel that music is the most healing for my patients. I always try to pick songs that evoke strong emotions. Songs about love, friendship, and bringing people together.”