Local Student and Artist Gives Back to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital’s Family Birth Center

MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Family Birth Center care team members, artist Miles Merriam and his mother stand in front of one of the art pieces he created, titled Woodland Lullabies, installed in the department. Pictured from left: Amy Campbell, DMD; Miles Merriam, artist; Jennifer McKenna, MD, associate medical director of MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport; and Thomas O’Connor III, MD, MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport.

ROCKPORT, Maine – In April, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital’s Family Birth Center welcomed two new original art pieces by an artist with a personal connection to the hospital.

The artist, Miles Merriam, a 15-year-old student at Oceanside High School in Rockland, created the paintings as a way to give back to the place where

he was born. Drawing on his love of the midcoast and his artistic talent, he completed the volunteer service hours required for his high school graduation by creating two pieces inspired by Maine’s natural beauty—Peaceful Beginnings of the Harbor, a harbor scene, and Woodland Lullabies, a forest landscape—each thoughtfully incorporating baby animals. 

Merriam dedicated more than 50 hours to the project through the MaineHealth volunteer program. He began with digital sketches, which were reviewed and approved by department leadership and care team members. He then carefully brought each piece to life, starting with an underpainting, building color and composition from the skylines down and finishing with the animals and detailed elements that give each scene a whimsical charm. 

MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Family Birth Center care team members, artist Miles Merriam and his mother stand in front of Miles' art piece, titled Peaceful Beginnings, installed in the department. Pictured, from left: Jessica Babb Flanary, manager Women’s Health and Central Staffing for MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital; Amy Campbell, DMD; Miles Merriam, artist; Jennifer McKenna, MD, associate medical director of MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport; and Thomas O’Connor III, MD, MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport.

“I was born in this same birth center 15 years ago and love that everything has come full circle,” Merriam said. “I can now give back to the amazing people who brought me into this world, and that makes this gift so special to me.” 

For Merriam’s family, the project carries deep personal meaning. His mother, Amy Campbell, DMD, reflected on the care she received during Miles Merriam’s birth, which occurred on her birthday. 

“I had the highest confidence in Dr. O’Connor, Dr. McKenna and the entire nursing team,” she said. “This wasn’t the first time Dr. O’Connor had come to our rescue for an emergency delivery.” 

Thomas J. O’Connor III, MD, delivered Dr. Campbell’s first son, who arrived unexpectedly via emergency cesarean section. Miles was expected to be born by scheduled cesarean, but he, too, arrived early—16 days ahead of schedule. 

In April, Dr. Campbell and Merriam were reunited with Dr. O’Connor and Jennifer McKenna, MD, for a viewing of the finished pieces, which now hang in the MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Family Birth Center.   

“Miles giving this gift to our department is such a symbolic testament to the strong teamwork of our providers and nursing team,” said Jessica Babb Flanary, manager Women’s Health and Central Staffing for MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital. “Every time we walk past the nursery, we’ll remember this beautiful story and smile.”