top of page

Courses & Lectures

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 5.35_edited.jp

In science classes, students are taught that there’s got to be a right answer. In my Art & Medicine course, I teach that sometimes there are right answers but often a situation is ambiguous.  Art teaches us how to to do more than just look. For medical practitioners, we must learn to see, observe, visualize and heal.

​

The study of art and medicine requires evidence-based research to justify a formal course in medical school and academia, with the approval of the Curriculum Committee, following standards established by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). The AAMC supports and encourages humanities in medical education, as well as self-care to prevent burn-out and suicides, and professional development of empathy, compassion, and collaboration. They have recently published a monograph, The Fundamental Role of the Art and Humanities in Medical Education with references to evidence-based studies and practices of medicine and the arts. 

Medicine & Art Course: Drawing for Physicians

Keen observation is the most basic skill of a scientist, something they share with artists. Why not then return to drawing as a physician's skill? Art helps students explore personal ideation, thinking strategies, listening skills, practice sympathy with patient pain and trauma, study psyche and body connection through the lens of the student's professional persona, and through the lens of a suffering patient. Would you like your medical students to develop keen visual skills, professional practice visual thinking strategies, and increase their cross-discipline skills such as writing and observation? Then consider my Medicine and Art Course.

​

Students will

  • keep a daily journal

  • work in groups

  • explore personal ideation

  • thinking strategies

  • practice sympathy & listening skills 

  • develop observation & visual skills

Enhancing Empathy: Teamwork for Medical Professionals

Taught over four sessions: This empathy class for medical professionals includes Soft Sculptural and Painting projects. Paired with literature and art history, each team explores three art projects in order to  dialogue in both kinetic, visual, and auditory aspects. Through hands-on painting, sculpture, and textile design as a team, students will explore empathy through humor, memory work, and character study.  

 

  • psychology of color & archetypes

  • teamwork strategies

  • visual studies through humor and memory

  • practice empathic listening

  • develop observation & visual skills

​

Two students working on an art project.

Healing Arts: Look, See, Observe, Visualize A Workshop for Medical Professionals & Students

The evidence-based science of medicine cannot heal alone. Healing requires human interconnections. In ancient times, healers alleviated pain and suffering with herbs, magic, prayer, and rituals. Modern medicine is seen as a pill dispenser – a magic pill or injection that will instantly cure disease. It is the major cause of the opiate crisis, a “quick fix.”  For a healer to heal, the same techniques of their ancient ancestors are needed: listen, touch, feel, observe and pray. This is learned through healing mentors, patient experience, and life experiences. 

This is why I developed Healing Arts: Look, See, Observe, Visualize, to teach healthcare students the techniques that have been helpful for me in my life’s journey, both personally and professionally.

​

 

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 4.14.08 PM.png
Doctor

Medical Student

I so enjoyed this course and appreciate our school’s commitment to keeping humanities in our curriculum...Dr. TM is absolutely the right person to be leading this...her spunk & spirit are contagious. I wish all students could take this course!”

Asian Doctor

 Medical Student

How can it be my last journal entry for our course? The past 4 weeks have flown by! My journal absolutely made me more self-aware and observant.

Young Male

Medical Student

Wow. I really got into my head. It was really good to write things down. And I’m so different now than at the beginning of the course. I learned a lot about myself.

Contact Me

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page