When the Daughters of Charity built St. Vincent's, the order decided to keep as much of the natural surroundings as possible in order to work toward the provision of an integrative healing system. The trees were viewed as integral components to the health of the body, mind and spirit. Moreover, the destruction of the natural environment ran counter to internal values regarding the protection of life and the promotion of a healthy world, thus re-enforcing environmental protection efforts and tree preservation attempts. The incorporation of the natural environment into the healing environment at St. Vincent's provides intangible benefits to the Daughters of Charity. The most obvious benefit of this type of an approach is the beautification of hospital property.
Patients enjoy rooms with views overlooking a landscaped area.
Moreover, the aesthetic value of a highly treed environment directly contributes to increased privacy levels and less stressful environments. Trees also contribute to a patient's psychological satisfaction which in turn, is believed to give rise to tangible monetary benefits. The scenery provides for a therapeutic environment wherein patients may comfortably relax and heal. Walking trails throughout the property provide for exceptional physical exercise and mental repose, which are believed to promote quicker recovery times and shorten hospital stays. Neither person interviewed believed that the presence of an exceptionally large number of trees was a financial burden.