Stimulus: A Medical Humanities Journal

How do you treat a UNIQUE MASTERPIECE?

Mahdi Dezham — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

For picture titled Dezham 2:

Saadi Of Shiraz

Major Persian Poet and Pose Writer of the Medieval Times.

"All human beings

are members of one frame,

Since all, at first, from

the same essence came.

When time afflicts

a limb with pain

the other limbs at rest cannot remain.

If thou feel not for the other's misery

the human being is no name for thee."

Interpretation by Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon, Tehran (Iran) 30 August 2012

For picture titled Dezham 3:

“The smallest profit which an understanding between

Irfan and science

can give humanity is the discovery of

the truth of life.”

The Mystery of Humanity

Professor Sadegh Angha

Do The Birds Still Sing?

Dana Johnson — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

N/A

Lifeline

Eman — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This artwork was made to signify mental illness, particularly depression. Against a dark background a figure is displayed, with beautiful bright colors contrasting against the darkness. My artwork was made to convey the message that although a person may be depressed or going through a difficult time, there is always beauty and hope surrounding them. I drew a pair of hands reaching out to the figure, indicating that a lending hand can bring color and life back to someone. I hope that my art can speak to people, especially those suffering from mental illness. It is a reminder that amongst the sadness and darkness they may feel, their heart is still beating strong. With the support of others, they can remain hopeful for the future.

Death and Life

Zoie Bright — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

N/A

Battle of Will

Dana Johnson — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

N/A

What's at UTA

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Creator Biographies

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

...

Letter from the Dean

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Letter from Dr.Gellman

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Letter from the Stimulus Team

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Meet the Stimulus Team

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

My Castle

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

...

Shoreline Rhythms

Steven Gellman — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Description of Photograph: “Shorelines Rhythms”

It is at the shoreline that my internal biorhythms and the timeless repetitions in the sea merge. Here is where I found spiritual renewal and personal solace.

Padre Island National Seashore - 2022

A Warm Embrace

Chris Casarez — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This story was inspired by my experience as Medical Humanities and Bioethics student intern at Arlington Memorial Hospital. It is written from the perspective of a small child, who is struggling to understand the world around them after their mother is admitted into the intensive care unit. The ways in which we connect with our loved ones can drastically change in a matter of seconds, as holds true for the child in the short story. This narrative is important to medical humanities, as it signifies the perspective of children interacting with the medical field. The story "A Warm Embrace" is meant to understand the limits of familial connection and love in response to medical trauma, and to demonstrate that love can be personified in ways we may not understand.

Growth Through Suffering: Beautiful Blossoming

Sarah Le — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Within this piece, I decided to hand draw 16 different roses to display the diversity of the 16 different personalities that a person may be categorized into. I chose roses to symbolize my message as the contrast between the beauty of the petals and the pain of the thorns was a great representation of how something beautiful could blossom despite adversities and challenges. The rose petals also have different layers of colors to provide a complexity analogous to the complexity of a patient’s story beyond the physical pain they might initially describe. I chose only four colors to color each layer as these four colors correspond to the four dimensions of wellness: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. These dimensions are all involved in one’s degree of pain and suffering.

In addition, the four different colors of the thorns signify the four different types of pain a patient might experience, including acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and nociceptive pain. In this piece, some thorns are thicker and sharper than others, and some include a blend of colors to signify the diversity of pain a patient might experience.

I chose to provide two different backgrounds within this piece, as the background is what surrounds the rose. The contrast of light versus dark signifies how much support a patient may have or where they might be at a point in their life. In addition, some types of pain may feel darker for others even though one’s pain might be categorized as the same as another. This is what leads to different levels of suffering.

In this piece, I wanted to include the idea of unity as well. Each of these roses is different, but at the end of the day, they are still roses. We may all have different personalities, different types of pain we are enduring and different levels of suffering, but physicians and patients can come together to relieve this pain. This, therefore, ties this piece into medical humanities as it is essential for a patient and doctor to communicate and navigate through the layers of a patient’s story. This unity helps fill the gap between a mundane medical diagnosis and the relief of a patient’s suffering. It allows a provider not only to cure but to better care for, empathize with, and heal their patient, and it allows their patient to grow through their suffering and blossom beautifully.

Haldhi Dhoodh (Turmeric Milk)

Eman Khan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This poem depicts chronic illness and lost time. It's also expressive of the unique way Disability is viewed in the South Asian community and how turmeric milk is seen as a cure for many ailments. It's a poem that leads to accepting that turmeric milk isn't a cure for a systemic illness.

Cognitive Disease and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Darashagam Nahal — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A literature review on cognitive disease and age-related decline in cognitive functioning.

Motor Skills

Eman Khan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This painting shows the simple joy of holding a coffee mug. I struggle with my motor skills, so it was a big celebration for me when I improved enough to hold a mug and go coffeeshop hopping again.

Sky

Mayte Campos — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Exhausted spirit

Eman Khan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is a painting and poem that depicts the fatigue of being a marginalized person.

Dismantle Ableism

Eman Khan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is a painting of a Disabled person pointing their cane at the sky while lightning shoots out of it. It is representative of the resilience of the Disability community in our fight to dismantle ableism. Disability justice involves many layers, as shown by the text surrounding "Dismantle ableism," such as accessibility, self-advocacy, better media representation, and acknowledgement of ableism's intersections with racism, sexism, cissexism, heterosexism.

Postcard From Punjab

Darashagam Nahal — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

These images were captured in my ancestral village in Punjab, India. Golden mustard fields, extensive farm lands, and vibrant sunsets: Punjab's beauty lies in its rural simplicity.

Healthcare

Eman Khan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is a photo that depicts how expensive life-saving medication is.

Medication

Eman Khan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is a collage of photographs of my medication. It's a glimpse into one of the toughest parts about being chronically ill, which is taking medication. There's a struggle and trial-and-error in finding the right medication that will provide even a small dent of relief. Dealing with side effects is an added burden. Trying to get insurance to approve life-saving medication is draining.

Get Well Soon

Kelsey Wells — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is a poem I wrote after spending time in a hospital last year.

Luna

Cami Henyan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A piece on my expericne with with pet therapy

Reaching Out

Catherine Gomez — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

An integral part of working in the medical field is being able to connect with people from all walks of life, especially in their most vulnerable moments. The concept for my piece is that a physician is reaching out to a patient who is dejected. I chose to draw the patient upside down to represent their world being “turned upside down” in some way, which is a feeling that many patients describe when battling a chronic illness, whether mental or physical. Even if the physician is not coming from the exact same place as their patient, they still reach out to meet them where they’re at. This is a visualization of how empathy and compassion can pierce through the darkness of isolation. In my piece, I used different colored pens and gouache paint. With black ink, I used pointillism to create a shadow around the patient.

Who Could Be?

Laisha Verdusco — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Any living creature has difficulties in life, so remember not to wish to become somenth or someone else because you never know how bad life can actuslly be.

Eleven:FiftyNine PM

Susan Phan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This piece shows the time in a student's life that goes into studying and school work. There seems to be such little time and the day but school seems to take the bulk of it. Leaving no time for mental and physical health. Most students seem to define their worth based on a letter grade and mentally it can take a toll. However there is more to a person than just letters and numbers that school defines us by. The time on the clock represents the 11:59 deadline on most assignments that students are scrambling to meet.

Kidneys for Jesus

Serena Karim — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Several organ transplantation studies have stressed the healthcare team’s obligation to moral decision-making when evaluating candidates for living donation. To ensure that donors are not subject to exploitation, transplant professionals assess psychosocial influences and motivations to give. While citing religious motivations is neither uncommon nor controversial, the validity of spiritual leadership in organ donation remains vague. In this paper, I define what makes religious motivations for organ donation legitimate, and consider the degrees of involvement a spiritual leader may have through this process. I consider two Christian leaders who both mobilize their religious audiences in efforts to shorten the kidney waitlist, then I evaluate evidence of financial, familial, social, and spiritual pressures between them and potential donors. I find that religious leaders may act as spiritual and educational guides, but should not be personally involved in their followers’ donation journeys. I also find that candidates involved in faith-based group donations are particularly susceptible to coercion from peers and leaders alike. Understanding that spiritual leadership in organ donation is possible may help transplant centers better discern which motivations are legitimate, and even invite more well-intentioned candidates through ethical, faith-based dialogues.

Art installation - the charging heart

Shuang Gou — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

It is 29 inches in height and 13 inches in width and is made of iron wire, 3D printing, lights, electrical wires, and an control panel.

Here the heart is a symbol of man's mental state. Charging is a metaphor. I feel that people just feel like out of power sometimes. They need something to make them "alive" again. It's like a battery needs recharging.

I want to talk about the issue in the fast-paced modern world of how people can balance their life and where they can refuel their energy. It is important to me because I was often bothered by this issue at that time. Working under high intensity and pressure, I often feel a lack of energy source. The fountain of life and inspiration seems to be drying up. But I can find nowhere to give a supplement.

I want the observer to see the object and think about the connection with themselves, when do they need the power in their mental world and what the power is for them.

Wayfarer

Joshua Cupps — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

“Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.” Hadith 40, Sahih al-Bukhari.

"Wayfarer" is inspired by my favorite Hadith, or teaching from the life of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him. This piece reflects the difficulty of the traveler on their journey home in the hereafter. I wanted to show my own struggle in this journey, especially as someone who has accepted this new way of life. I wanted to show that it is a constant battle of faith that is not always linear, stumbling and falling along the way. However, finding strength in surrendering to a higher will and trusting in it allows me to bear the weight of the challenges ahead. Ultimately, it is "صَبْرٌ", or patience, with myself and in a greater plan that gives me peace in this journey.

Bittersweet In-betweens

Jessica Nwankwo — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Death and loss are hardly easy processes to endure. The artwork shows a lady who is in the dying process surrounded by loved ones (husband, mother, and even her deceased child in angel form) with a physician present and draws on aspects of the stages of grief and faith and what these things look like to me. Using surrealist imagery to better tap into the metaphorical, unseen, and emotional aspects of such an experience, my piece captures what that process might look like in one specific instance in a hospital room. As scary and uncertain as the process can be, there are also elements of hope and faith in certain instances laced into the grieving process, creating an environment and experience that is laden with emotions, impactful, and intimate. Essentially, there is a depth of human emotions experienced during difficult and disheartening situations.

The Irony of Death

Nina K. Parvari, J.D. — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

N/A

komerebi

Cynthia Tran — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The following photographs were taken at a Buddhist temple located in central Houston, Texas. Since early times, Buddhism has held a history of medicinal practices, focusing on natural and spiritual care, rather than using harsh chemicals and modern technology. Since ancient times, disease concerns within the religion of Buddhism require care in all aspects of a human's life, including natural, mental, physical, environmental, and societal. Complete harmonization of these aspects will then cure the patient. These aspects can also be taught to the daily physician, which lays the groundwork for those who follow, morals and ethics. Health, in and of itself, is to be understood as a whole. The relationship in which an individual connects not only with the body and mind, but the social relationships around them, and the environment in which one submerges themselves. Both physician and patient must understand to be absolute.

The idea behind these photos does not lie in what the individual sees, but in the beauty and serenity of the environment and how one can be environmentally aware of the surroundings and harmony that nature has given us. When I was editing these photos, I noticed how calm and quiet the environment was, and how each piece of nature coincided with one others. These film-like qualities date back to nostalgic times and showcase each photo in its glory, through saturation and balance. When deciding on a title for this project, I decided to go with something of Japanese origin, since medicinal practices and holistic care of people seem to be the most respected among all cultures. Japan also has a rich community with Buddhist followers, which I also considered after doing extensive research. As a future physician, I want to be able to focus on being at one with myself, whether that be through my beliefs, or through my work, as those qualities become important later on in life. I also invite those who view this project to try and find ways to be at peace with themselves, whether that be to connect with nature or practice mindfulness through meditation.

You can find more of my works through my Instagram handle @cybdy.captures . I hope you enjoyed viewing this capture set and finding some peace within yourself.

When can it feel like it's about me?

Camille Condron — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A personal anecdoate about the difficulties faced when first starting out in college, unexpected challenges, and the learning curve that comes with becoming a good college student.

Laborers, Take heart!

Shuang Gou — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this work , I want to show the state when people are under high pressure and heavy burden. they can neither stop nor put the burdens away. Once they break from the burden, they also lose their living source. Just like when the snails discard shells, they will die soon. With fierce competition, many people have no choice but to accept it. Many laborers’ rights are being severely harmed.

"Biopsy of the Human Soul"

Harley Mayfield — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

For a creative final in my medical humanities class, I wanted to depict a portrait of what I believed the human soul would look. At first I wanted to just represent what the soul of a provider who embraces the concepts of what I learned in my medical humanities class but then I realized that everyone sees and interprets art in their own way, so I wanted to give people the chance to feel or realized the soul through their own eyes. I used a lot of calming colors like deep blues and purples and some bright colors like pearly white and gold because I believe that my "soul" recognizes a soul who embraces medical humanities as very calm yet bold and confident with their colors. My idea was to first show a background that represented the chaos and feelings that the soul of a healthcare provider may go through and then I thought maybe the soul would be sphere like with light vibrant colors to show the beauty and purity of a soul but my idea kind of transformed into another route because I wanted to basically go "into" the soul so to speak so now I painted my portrait of the soul in almost a microscopic view, as if you took a biopsy and viewed the soul that way. I got this idea after watching “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, when John Hopkins gave the daughter of Mrs. Lacks a microscopic view of HeLa cells, which are her mother’s cells. Being able to see the cells bright, vibrant, and thriving, it was like it brought Henrietta Lacks back to life for her daughter. I think souls are a very complex being to understand but I believe that everyone’s souls are different and completely unique to them. My portrait in a sense almost looks like a galaxy, which I did not intend for that initially to happen but after observing my finished product I remembered that some people believe that the stars are our souls guiding us from above or even the souls of those who have passed and I thought that went perfect for an end result.

A Thirty-Five Year Journey Back to UTA

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

...

Eyes Closed (heart open)

Hannah Nguyen — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A first hand account of mental health, specifically depression and an illustration of coping.

The Importance of Patient Health Literacy in Medicine

Navvin Sadarangani — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Sick in May

Reagan Huskin — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This artwork was created during a time when my body was being taken over by an undiagnosed autoimmune disease. I was bedridden and my spine was unknowingly degenerating at a very fast rate. The month of May meant so many things for me: turning 20, final exams, scans, labs, doctors appointments, starting immunosuppressants, etc. I was so overwhelmed and felt very isolated. This is unfortunately the reality of many disabled and/or chronically ill college students. I created this piece to shine a light on what the life of someone dealing with these things, while also working towards a degree, might look like. It could even be the person sitting next to you in class.

Feel it in my Bones

Reagan Huskin — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

I have had multiple invisible illnesses since I was 12, acquiring more as I have approached 20. This made growing up very hard because the validity of my conditions was constantly doubted by everyone around me. The inspiration for this piece are the hurtful words that are said to so many individuals with invisible illnesses, which constantly swarm around inside their heads. The exposed bones represent the pain that is present in my body all of the time, visible to others only for a moment in the form of this artwork. Some of the more personal touches include the ring splints on the fingers, used to keep my joints from hyper extending or dislocating, and the zebra print along the outer corners, which is the symbol for one of my conditions.

It's not the end

Ami Patel — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A poetry that gives hope and meaning to people. Words of not giving up and remain encouraged by obstacles in life.

Gone

Shakyra Silva — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Gone is a painting that comments on depression and shows it in a more uncommon way than how depression is usually described. Normally when you think of depression, you imagine someone isolated in a darkened room. They spend their days in bed with no energy to bathe, eat, or go to school/work. While this is one way depression can manifest, it is not the only way. In some cases, a depressed person may still go out with friends, be very productive at work or school and just generally look like a completely normal person with no mental illness. This is the side of depression that I illustrate in Gone. The struggling woman is on a walk at a park on a beautiful day with a scene of cherry blossoms floating down from the trees. Others on the trail are filled with bright colors or happiness from the view. To the others, she seems like a normal woman enjoying the park just like them, but the viewer can see that she is still sad. Another important detail in Gone is the color of the trail and the color of the struggling woman. The two colors are very similar to give the effect of the struggling woman disappearing into the trail in certain lighting. This is to comment on the dissociation someone with depression may experience. The physically being in the room but feeling like the mind and body is elsewhere.

From MS2, To You

Caroline Nguyen, Madelina Nguyen — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

During the Vietnam war, my parents embarked on a dangerous journey across the Pacific Ocean with the hope of a better life. They arrived in America with nothing and faced hardship including poverty and lack of access to healthcare. As a first-generation American, I grew up listening to tough stories of their struggles. It developed in me deep gratitude for their sacrifices and empathy for the underserved population. Although most people in our generation cannot relate to their experience as refugees, we can all relate to the pursuit of wellness in our lives, especially physical health. My motivation to practice medicine is rooted in the belief that the healthcare field is one of the most meaningful professions in existence, with the ability to connect with and care for others at their most vulnerable. With such allure, the increase in selectivity and competitiveness of the application process is not surprising.

As a current second-year medical student, I recall my pre-medical student years as a UT Arlington biology major as a time of growing pain. I felt the pressure to prove myself as a worthy applicant and as a mature young adult exploring the field. Retrospectively, I could have avoided significant undue stress had I been more authentic, courageous, and graceful with myself.

Pave your path. One of the most common pitfalls of students pursuing medicine is comparing oneself to peers unfairly. The process of applying to medical school is inherently competitive, but admissions committees are most interested in getting to know you as an individual. Although the application for medical school may seem like a checklist of having all the right qualities of an applicant, the point is to accumulate experiences that further convince yourself that medicine is right for you. You might be thinking that it is impossible to stand out amongst other applicants, but your specific choices in activities contribute to your story and reflect your interests. An application that includes homeless outreach volunteering, free clinic volunteering, and mission trips demonstrates empathy for the underserved. An application with extensive student organization leadership experience, biology TA experience, and peer tutoring would demonstrate a love for mentorship. An application with extensive basic science and/or clinical research would demonstrate a desire to advance the future of medicine. Instead of allowing your expectation as to what a good pre-medical student should look like dictate your application, use it as an opportunity.

“Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game”. This is quite a cliche statement that we hear often, but it proves to be a very powerful statement when taken to heart. The answer to any question you do not ask will always be no. Think back to a time you went out on a limb, applied for something you thought you would never get, or did something out of your comfort zone. How amazing did it feel to accomplish that? For me, this came in the form of an internship that changed the trajectory of my pre-medical career. I applied and waited and waited. With no email or phone call, I sent four follow-up emails until I received an answer, and with my persistence, I became the only undergraduate intern in the Neurosurgery department of a prestigious medical school, yielding more than 10 journal publications. Asking for what we want and need is essential to success in our careers. We must have the courage to put ourselves out there, ask for what we want, and not be afraid of rejection, especially when it comes to our careers because if there is one feeling worse than rejection, it is regret. So ask that professor for research, apply to that scholarship, and let your ambition run free.

Every failure is a step closer to success. As this process is competitive by nature, it is easy to become consumed by the stress that accompanies it. Throughout my pre-medical journey, I often caught myself measuring my self-worth as an inverse function of my failures. Every lackluster exam grade and program rejection sent me down a spiral of thoughts about never becoming a medical student and thereby never achieving my dream of becoming a doctor. Retrospectively, I wish that I gave myself more grace because ultimately, failures only serve as stepping stones that bring us closer to success. As long as one learns from past mistakes and carries on purposefully, nothing can be considered a failure. It is also important to understand the context of your life and your limitations. For example, if you are a full-time student with a full-time job taking 21 hours in a semester, don’t beat yourself down if you end up getting a B that term. Yes, it is important to give your best towards any task you undertake, but failure is inevitable. Instead of looking at it as a defeat, look at it as a redirection.

Ultimately, be bold, be persistent, be true to yourself, and never forget the experiences and people that got you to where you are today– your “why”. No matter what happens in your journey, don’t tie your self-worth to your outcome. Tie your self-worth to how you love others, your passions, your abilities, etc. The pre-medical years are tough, stressful, and long, but there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Your journey is shaped by every experience you encounter along the way, so remember to be intentional with your activities, chase opportunities without fear, and be graceful with yourself along the way.

The Healing Hands

Jasmine Riddle — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

It is well known that we use our hands for the majority of tasks we complete on a daily basis. In fact, there are not many tasks that we can complete without the use of our hands. Some of the ways doctors and health professionals use their hands in the medical field include surgeries, palpating a patient, and to document any information gathered about the patient. What if there was a way to heal someone just by using their hands? It turns out this is possible due to a naturopathic treatment called Reiki. Reiki is an ancient Japanese technique in which the healer will either hover their hands or lightly place their hands on the patient and transfer healing energy to the person receiving the treatment. In my illustration, the colors of the background resemble the seven chakras in the body and the hands are hovering around the center as if they are receiving healing energy.

up there

Christina Nguyen — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

"up there" highlights the first time I saw death in the emergency room. I remember how my mind almost burst in the frenzy of the moment. As I eventually calmed down and left my shift, I reflected often on the memory: how am I supposed to feel? What would have it felt like to be the one laying in the bed?

Healing

Yanina Blanco — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes we not only need to heal the body, but the soul.

A veces no no solo necesitamos sanar el cuerpo sino el alma.

Psychosis

Alexandra Nieto; Elias Nieto — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A perspective into personal thoughts and emotions relating to psychosis.

Where No One Goes?

Zainab Muhammad — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

For me, this painting represents a powerful reminder of the value of different perspectives and the ability of art to challenge our perceptions of reality. It encourages me to embrace creativity as an essential aspect of the human experience and to explore new forms of expression.

I recognize that everyone's experience of this painting will be different. That is the beauty of art - it has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions and memories, depending on the viewer's personal perspective and experiences. Therefore, my question for you is: What emotions or memories does this piece evoke for you? What do you see or experience when you look at this painting?

The Flooding Bridge

Leila Abdelhadi — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The bridges that connect two sides of the story always merge into one commonality.

In this case, it’s the bridge between the doctor and the patient with their family.

One side may believe that pursuing an invasive line of procedures will drown the patient in more sorrow and agony, while the other may believe that it’s the only way to save the patient.

And the ultimate reality is that they both might be right.

A patient could be in a stage where more medical intervention could only do more harm than good, but family intervention might believe it's their duty to keep them alive.

A patient could practically on their death bed and their family could be raising the bar to proceed with more medication.

A doctor might see no signs of life ahead for a patient and leaving them in hospice would be their only sign of peace at the end of their story.

A doctor has watched the patient go through numerous failed trials and seeing them in pain that won't heal, tears them apart.

A patient may be tired

A patient may be exhausted

A patient may be drowning

Drowning from the two sides of the bridge flooding to come to an agreement

Over the patient and their wants

But what does the patient want?

What is their wish?

What is their need?

What is their stance?

Sometimes they can't give an opinion, sometimes it's up to the doctors and patient's family.

But who’s right?

It’s a complicated journey, a complicated question, a complicated answer.

Who's right?

That’s a question that may never have a definite answer.

Poetry as Space in Medicine

Esther Kentish — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Poetry as a space in medicine can be depicted as a nuanced caveat of narrative and medicine. Patient voices can be prominently showcased emerging from written communications, interviews in the clinic, as well as in acts of self-expression. Writing and reading of patient-doctor memoirs and fiction such as “A Mango Shaped Space” by Wendy Mass story and Joyce’s Ulysses can help to situate patient voices and knowledge within medical spaces. The thematic nature of doctor-patient interactions are important because patient voices provide an exchange of critical information and pose a critical look at the patient’s view of their own dis-ease and diagnosis’. Interactions between the patient and doctor may invoke different health literacies on the patient and reflect specific power structures that create an unequal precedent. Through patient communication being at the forefront, doctors can respect the patient’s needs. This paper reflects and encourages co-creation of the patient’s story as clinical practice. This data will create a space for the patient while helping to deconstruct case reports, case notes, and medical records that may stand at the forefront of communication. Experiences are shaped by life’s canonical lens. The lens captures what is transformed, refracted, and emulated by the reality of humanistic experience and the epistemological state of being. Thus, communicating science and medicine as well as poetry and prose permits the foundational premise of human duplicity. This duplicity consists of a double-sidedness; a complexity that can be captured by a lens...one that is canonical and multifaceted. This lens is writing techniques such as reflective writing and poetry. The canonical lens takes precedent in the mechanical and nuanced practice of pinpointing issues within the human experience. This paper maps how writing practices emancipate intrinsic attitudes, ideologies, and behavioral patterns which helps to discover knowledge about patient experiences and histories.

Core of Medicine

Misrah — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The drawing depicts the art of medicine by signifying the importance of the heart, which is the center of human being. With an influence of art that plays a role when it comes to diagnosing to patient and having to use different instruments and medium when achieving a goal.

Death of the Muse

Lea Arista — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Prose: poem.

Demise Life

Marcy Davis — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Demise Life is a glass- blown sculpture with cold worked designs and is an investigation of the loss of the beginning of life. This sculpture reflects the loss of human connection and the grief that encompasses it. As light passes through this sculpture, the shadows metamporph the space into a place of rememberance of the demised life.

Only Moments

Joshua Cupps — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

"Only Moments" was inspired by a feeling to express my grief and better understand my emotions surrounding it. Writing has allowed me to cope with and physically interact with difficult life events, thoughts, and ideas, so it felt natural as a medium to create this piece. The last few years have been full of both great happiness and great sorrow, particularly from the loss of loved ones. I wrote this piece about my grandfather's passing, whom I was very close to. I felt that grieving my grandfather was difficult because he died of cancer, resulting in a slow deterioration of his body. I wanted to capture the confusing mixture of feelings I had grieving for someone who was still here but gradually losing them over the span of only a few days. Namely, I wanted to capture the experience of remembering the precious moments we shared as well as moments that I regretted, wondering if he could ever hear my apologies or if he could hear me at all. I wanted to write about the pain and regret of how I spent some of those moments and wishing I could only have a moment longer with him.

Junk Drawer

Lisa Phan — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Children can be confused a lot of the times and children can definitely be confused in a healthcare setting. When you expect a child to confidently and accurately interpret a family member's checkup or test result, there is a lot of space for miscommunication. It's like pulling from a junk drawer; not enough and not relevant enough to help in the situation given the limited knowledge and vocabulary. But as the only immediate person able to fill the gap between two languages, bilingual children are often forced to open this junk drawer and desperately hope a hiccup in their understanding doesn't result in something detrimental for their sick family member.

In the palace of Loneliness

Puja Ankitha Ivaturi — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Poem: "In the palace of Loneliness…"

Once I was pulled into a dark world of nothingness,

The more I tried to run away, the more I got absorbed into the mess.

Turned around to walk alone, down an endless destination,

In a stormy path, with the hope of reaching the sunshine.

Waiting for the one, several sleepless nights got fade,

Realized that, “To be human is to be alone”, no mate, no comrade!

Sat on a rock, accompanying the music made by my heart.

Finally! Getting an opportunity to feel this new life and interact.

Became an invisible, motionless seed in a flower to the busy world,

Wandering there, looking for the birds run by, concerned.

Digesting the fact that, the world laughs with me but not weeps,

Giggling at my fate, had covered my broken heart’s silent shrieks.

There I stood with a determined heart and poor soul,

Pondering towards the best yet to come, a true goal.

Running, by shooing away the negative thoughts and things,

To find the light of loveliness in the palace of loneliness.

Heartfelt: A Heart that is Understood

Ramiro Reyna III Reyna — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The science behind medicine is undeniably critical for advancing our understanding of human health and developing effective treatments. However, this scientific knowledge is only one aspect of providing quality healthcare. To truly serve patients and communities, healthcare providers must also draw upon the insights and practices of the humanities, including disciplines such as ethics, sociology, and anthropology. Understanding cultural and social contexts, grappling with complex ethical dilemmas, and communicating effectively with patients are all crucial skills that stem from the humanities. Without this understanding and application of the humanities, the practice of medicine risks becoming impersonal and ineffective, failing to meet the diverse needs of patients and communities.

This need for a balance between scientific knowledge and humanities is illustrated in the two overlapping symbols that represent the hands of a healthcare provider reaching out to connect with patients and the heart representing the application of science to heal the human body. By visualizing the importance of understanding both the human and the human body, we can better appreciate the significance of incorporating both scientific and humanities-based approaches in delivering quality healthcare.

Listen to Your Patient

Amani Salem — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This piece shows the importance of listening to your patient and shows a symbolic way of communication between patient and healthcare provider.

English Proficiency and its Effects on Healthcare Perception and Quality

Alfredo Palacios — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Over the course of 3 weeks, 30 subjects were randomly chosen to participate in a survey consisting of 20 questions. These questions looked at various markers to measure the patient's perceived level of quality and overall perception of the healthcare they have received in the US. All patients spoke little to no English and shared a native langauge of Spanish. In the end, it was found that, despite conflicting data from other studies, the 30 subjects had an overall positive view of the American healthcare system and also had a high degree of trust in their healthcare providers. That being said, it was also found that nearly all subjects reported that they would prefer that their physician spoke their native langauge and that, in doing so, it would improve the overall quality of their appointment. Additionally, on average, the participants reported that they only understood about 67% of what physicians said when anyone/anything other than a licensed interpreter was used to help translate for them. Though, some data gathered from this study was supported by other studies, a significant portion of the data collected contradicted the findings of other studies measuring the same thing, further emphasizing the need for more research in this field in order to get a more conclusive answer.

Part of Me

Ami Patel — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A glimpse of light through the darkness one might need during times of discourage. A crescent moon depicts light that people hope to find through the darkness of emotions they feel in difficulty.

Eye of the Beholder

Zainab Muhammad — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Captured in Fort Lahore, Pakistan.

The pillar symbolizes me, a Pakistani-American, the unifying bridge. The area to the left of the pillar is Pakistan, represented by the women robed in vibrant red traditional garments, whereas the area to the right of the pillar is America. Through this deviation, America is no longer "west" of Pakistan, and instead, through this shift in perception, Pakistan is now "east" of America. This piece emphasizes the importance of keeping an open perspective, one capable of change, growth, and unity.

UTA 3

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

...

Una Mexicana

Alexandra Nieto — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Full Issue

Hang Pham-Vu — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500