How a UNO Student Is Using Flowers to Comfort Older Adults

A University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) student is turning a lifelong love of flowers and her experience in health care into a nonprofit that brings comfort to older adults in assisted-living and memory care facilities.

Tala Serhan, a Goodrich Scholar and sophomore neuroscience major, has worked as a certified nursing assistant since she was 16 and witnessed how patients spending their time in neutral-toned, empty rooms affected their physical and emotional health.

“I saw patients without many possessions in their rooms and often with no visitors,” Serhan said. “At the same time I was also thinking about events like weddings and graduations, and how many flowers get wasted after those.”

That idea became Bloom Beyond. The organization collects donated flowers from weddings, graduation parties and other events, then repurposes them into smaller bouquets for nursing homes and memory care facilities.

It started as a high school volunteer effort, supported by family and friends, and how turned into her passion project and an impactful non-profit organization.

“I think flowers can be like medicine because they enhance the environment, the healing environment,” Serhan said. “Growing up, I was always surrounded by flowers since my parents have always gardened all spring and summer. Flowers can have a powerful effect on people.”

Bloom Beyond operates on a simple premise. Flowers used in celebrations can be donated.

The process begins with florists and wedding planners, who inform couples how their flowers can be donated after a celebration to help others. Serhan collects the arrangements after the wedding, breaks them down into smaller bouquets and delivers them to care facilities.

So far, Serhan has delivered flowers to about 10 nursing homes and memory care facilities in the Omaha area. She said the response from staff and residents has been overwhelmingly positive.

“When I call about delivering flowers, I’ve never gotten a no,” Serhan said. “Everybody’s always so excited and happy.”

Some moments have stayed with her long after the delivery. Once, Serhan gave a bouquet to an elderly woman who told her it reminded her of her own wedding flowers and was clearly moved by that memory.

“That just made my whole day,” Serhan said.

Bloom Beyond has been operating for about two years. Much of the outreach happens through Bloom Beyond’s Instagram page, where people have contacted Serhan to volunteer or learn more.

Long term, Serhan hopes Bloom Beyond can expand beyond Omaha and establish chapters on college campuses, including one at UNO. She also credits her motivation to her being a part of the Goodrich Scholarship Program, an initiative that offers financial assistance to students while also providing a tight-knit community where members lean on each other to progress through college life.

“I think the Goodrich Scholars are my favorite part of being a college student,” Serhan said. “It’s scary starting college, and you don’t really know anybody, and Goodrich gives you a sense of community.”

“I feel like the entire curriculum and all the classes are really service driven, and they emphasize civic responsibility, which really aligns with my values,” she added.

Spreading that sense of belonging fits her career goals. Serhan hopes to become a physician assistant and continue working in health care.

“And Bloom Beyond will be incorporated with my career to make healing more holistic,” Serhan said.