History

Waterford Regional Hospital as it now stands is light years away from the scattered collection of single storey units which reflected its earlier designation as a treatment centre for tuberculosis. This regional centre of medical excellence has embraced the Healing Arts concept with enthusiasm.

Dr Abdul Bulbulia first suggested the idea of introducing arts activity into Waterford Regional Hospital in 1990. At this time, the potential role of the arts in the hospital environment was a new concept in Ireland. It had, however, been explored in the UK for some fifteen years previously.

Once the hospital management saw the value of the proposal, a committee comprising representatives of the hospital, arts and business sectors was set up to oversee developments. The success of the Trust is largely attributable to the dedication and commitment of the committee members, past and present. Dr Bulbulia, Mai Lannigan, Mary Halpin, Tony McNamara, Derek Verso, Willy Fanning, Peter Finnegan, Peter Jordan and Mary Baxter developed the Trust in the early years and the work is continued on by many of the original committee members who have since been joined by Patricia Sullivan, Tom Cunningham, Mary Tritschler, John O'Connor, Sean Swift, Mr. Gordon Watson, Dr. Jack Gallagher and Ann Ellis. 

From the project's inception, strong support has come from the South Eastern Health Board / HSE, Waterford City Council, FAS, Waterford Institute of Technology, the Arts Council and commercial sponsors.

In January 1994, Aifric Gray was appointed to the post of Artist in Residence for a six-month pilot project. She went on to become the full-time Arts Co-ordinator and in 2002 was replaced in this role by Mary Grehan. Leah Coyne also worked as Arts Co-ordinator from 2004 to 2006. The Trust now employs a team of seven full-time and part-time staff and a team of artists working on a sessional and / or commissioned basis. WHAT has also developed the first dedicated Centre for Arts and Health  in the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital which offers a host of new possibilities in terms of fulfilling its core aims.