Signs of Compassion is comprised of 30 photographs depicting people of all ages and backgrounds reciting the Emily Dickinson poem, “If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking,” using American Sign Language (ASL). The piece seeks to offer hope and encouragement to patients, staff members, and visitors. It is prominently displayed at a central location in the hospital. 

Photographer Miggs Burroughs of Westport, Conn, used a technique called lenticular transition to show movement throughout the work of art. When a viewer stands in front of the photos and moves from side to side, the subjects appear to sign a word or phrase from the poem.