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Drew University Holds Medical & Health Humanities Colloquium

Showcasing student and alum research and projects

October 2024 – Drew University’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies held a Medical & Health Humanities Colloquium, highlighting student and alum research and projects. The colloquium revealed the critical role of Medical and Health Humanities in advancing the work of the sciences in medicine and public health.

The one-day colloquium of Drew’s Medical & Health Humanities program, celebrated the scholarship and research of fellow students and recent alums, allowing for open and candid learning and discussion. 

“Everyone needs a vision; it starts with your imagination,” said Affiliate Professor Gaetana Kopchinsky C’06, G’11, who moderated the event. “It continues with compassion and care, ethics, and the legacy that we create together to make our vision a reality.”

“We were all deeply impressed by the innovative work of Drew’s Medical & Health Humanities students and alums,” said Program Director Merel Visse. “The diverse range of focal points, methodologies, and aspirations showcased the profound impact of their scholarship.”

“We learned about thriving, surviving, and creativity in nursing contexts; clinical humility and the meaning of simulation; how ultrasound improves quality of life; hurricane art and how to create a collection of visual artworks; the impact of music in hospice care; and about ethical complexities in clinical research, and so much more.” 

Insightful talks convincingly demonstrated how Medical and Health Humanities can bridge the gap between science and the everyday challenges with health and care in our society. Talks were presented by Jutta Braun G’23, Cailyn Breski C’17, G’24, Kevin Poirier G’24, Kameron Raynor C’15, G’25, Mary Clare Smith G’24, Crystal King Wallner G’24, and EventsRavi Waykar G’25.

Breski presented research from her dissertation, The Effects of Ultrasound on Quality of Life: An Exploration of Ultrasound as a Diagnostic and Treatment Modality for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Several neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and ALS, are diagnosed once symptoms have presented. Earlier diagnosis using ultrasound technology can provide access to more treatment options for both the patient and caregiver. 

Chronic pain affects approximately 20 percent of the population, explained Poirier during his presentation. Patient access to adequate pain treatment can vary widely. “Many things that undermine receiving treatment for chronic pain include cultural aspects—race, ethnicity, education—all affect access to treatment for pain,” he said.

Smith, a registered nurse, shared her research on nursing students’ perceptions of humility in simulation-based learning experiences, a path of discovery inspired by her journey surrounding the care required for her prematurely-born daughter.

Wallner spoke about the role of visual arts in post-hurricane recovery, specifically the potential contributions to the health, well-being, and experience of those living in post-hurricane communities. Looking at a 20-year retrospective, she analyzes the landscape of professional post-hurricane visual art—including historical images, museum exhibits, and public art—through a mixed-methods inquiry, which includes an archival methodology of existing materials and documents, as well as an online survey for artists about the art-making experience post-hurricane.

Humanizing medicine and care by fostering moral practices and institutions is the mission of the low-residency and interdisciplinary Medical & Health Humanities program at Drew. Offering a master’s, doctorate, and several certificates, these degrees meet the growing need for advanced training in health humanities, care ethics, health policy, contemplative care, and narrative medicine.

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