Medical Humanities Commons^™

Know Your Limits: The Story Of How I Learned To Listen To My Body, Elena Silverstein

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No abstract provided.

The Healing Power Of A Welcomed Hug, Tara Mckenna

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No abstract provided.

Putting Myself First, Nicholas E. Doberstein

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No abstract provided.

The Circle Of Life And Care, Isabel M. Vera Machado

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As a first-year medical student on the osteopathic path, my art is a reflection of my journey to balance creativity and the principles of holistic care. Osteopathic medicine’s focus on treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—aligns closely with my approach to art, which aims to capture the connections between humanity, healing, and empathy.

Through my work, I explore themes of care, connection, and the values I hope to uphold as a future physician. Whether it’s through symbolic imagery or simple, heartfelt compositions, my art reflects the importance of compassion and the human connection in both medicine and life.

For …

An Oath Fulfilled, Fatima Bawaney

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This poem explores the sacred oath of healing as it relates to a physician-patient relationship.

Cultural And Religious Perspectives On Suicide And Healing, Arielle Friedman

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This essay is built off of a paper I wrote in a college global health course on culture and mental illness. I have always been fascinated by cultural interpretations of illness & believe that as a future physician, it is my responsibility to educate myself and others on the complex interplay between religious ideologies & recognition/management of biological disease in order to provide appropriate patient-centered care.

Embracing The Sacred Oath Of Healing: Lessons From When Breath Becomes Air, Rudayna S. Tabbara

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This essay explores how When Breath Becomes Air embodies the Sacred Oath of Healing through Paul Kalanithi’s journey as a physician and a patient.

Layers, Kristin Hiemstra

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I titled this work “Layers,” symbolic of the many intricate layers to healing, just as we see the many literal layers of a landscape in this photograph. In the foreground, you are met with a firm, unforgiving boulder — almost analogous to how difficult the initial phase of healing can be, or the setbacks that may be experienced throughout a healing journey. Your eyes then drift on to find the abundance of evergreens, some vibrant and thriving, while others are in their last stages of life. Finally, the mountainous layers take shape before ascending into the sky. Just …

The Masculine Way, Jessica Asuquo

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This painting was conceptualized after a particularly impactful patient visit. During the visit, the patient described a traumatic event in greater detail, stating that the doctor and I were the first people he had ever spoken to about the event.

I felt both honored and disheartened by this statement. I was honored that this man trusted us with this knowledge. Still, I was immensely sad that he dealt with the trauma of this event alone for decades. I believe he released some of the grief, pain, anger, fear, and hurt when he shared his burden with us, and I will …

A Child’S Oath, Nozimakhon K. Omonullaeva

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"A Child's Oath" reflects the transformative journey of a young girl shaped by her personal experiences with healthcare inequities, both in her home country of Uzbekistan and in the United States. This piece explores the emotional impact of these experiences and how they inspired a lifelong commitment to healing and serving underserved communities. It is a testament to the resilience born from hardship and the sacred promise to bring compassion and equity to medicine.

Helping As A Student, Dayna R. Smerina

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Being a medical student can sometimes feel powerless. However, there are special ways that students can make an impact on their patient's lives.

The Glacier, Emily Rodman

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The Glacier discovers the inner workings of a medical student's mind as she devotes years of her life to eventually partake in the "sacred oath of healing." She knows that these years of medical training - filled with strife and joy alike - will eventually lead her to fulfill the career of her dreams, serving others.

The Sacred Healing Of A Little Warrior, Adrianna M. Zambrano

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As a hopeful pediatrician, I find my sacred oath of healing to be inspired by the radiant positivity and resilience of children. My goddaughter was not even three years old when she had her first major surgery, and I was so worried about her future recovery. Then, she was just a few hours post-op and already cracking a smile. Her innocence and purity extended to the point where she made sure that she wasn't the only one being taken care of; after all, her "baby" Julie needed to be taken care of, too.

The Heart Of Healing, Madison Prieto

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No abstract provided.

Nourishing The Body, Nurturing The Soul, Vidhi Raval

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No abstract provided.

Our Sacred Oath, Jeffrey Joppen, Nisha Patel

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We both tried to find a photograph that could demonstrate what our sacred oath to healing looked like. The stethoscopes symbolize this because they represent more than just a tool for auscultation, they are objects that directly connect a healthcare provider to their patient. When we place the stethoscope on our patient’s chest we listen to their heart and lung sounds and the unique vibrations and rhythms that the individual makes. This action demonstrates deep trust and responsibility for healing.

Frankenstein Colorized, Marianne Koleng

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One of my favorite novel's growing up was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I see Frankenstein's desire to create a "Monster" as a way to grasp at the fundamental human drive for connection, and healing through connection. In this piece, I attempt to bring that inner yearning for fundamental connection to paper.

Beyond Myself - Healing Through Pain, Marianne Koleng

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In this piece I reflect on the importance of setbacks, non-linear growth, injuries, and pain and their ability to provide self-reflection, a platform for growth, and an crucial reminder of the fragility of life. I have often been self-critical for not following a "traditional" path in life, and reflecting on my experiences allows me to show myself grace and hopefully may influence others to do so as well.

The Orchard Of Golden Apples, Ambika Kapil, Brendan Ginsberg

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This poem was written collaboratively by Ambika Kapil and Brendan Ginsberg, reflecting our shared journey through the challenges and rewards of medical school. The inspiration for this piece comes from a pivotal time in Ambika's journey, when she found herself balancing the demands of medical education with personal struggles. During this period, she often turned to the lectures and guidance of various faculty members, including Dr. Lori Dribin, whose wisdom and support provided a sense of stability and hope. The guidance of these mentors became a beacon, helping Ambika navigate through uncertainty.

As many students face an array of challenges …

The Sacrifices Of Being Away, Claudia Pedreira

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No abstract provided.