Jefferson Humanities & Health

Contact

Name: Jefferson Humanities & Health

1020 Locust Street
Jefferson Alumni Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Past Events

For Events marked with an astericks (*) offers credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate, if you would like to receive credit, please fill out this attendance form after the event. All event attendance forms can be found in their respective event listings or on Canvas. 

Note: Below are the past events for the past two academic years, starting in July 2021. Should you need historical information about events prior to July 2021, please contact the Jefferson Humanities & Health office.

2024-2025: Access

October 2024

Monday, October 27, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Join us for a discussion of chapters 5, 7, and 8 from A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung.

In this country, unless you attain extraordinary wealth, you will likely be unable to help your loved ones in all the ways you’d hoped. You will learn to live with the specific, hollow guilt of those who leave hardship behind, yet are unable to bring anyone else with them.

Nicole Chung couldn’t hightail it out of her overwhelmingly white Oregon hometown fast enough. As a scholarship student at a private university on the East Coast, no longer the only Korean she knew, she found community and a path to the life she'd long wanted. But the middle class world she begins to raise a family in – where there are big homes, college funds, nice vacations – looks very different from the middle class world she thought she grew up in, where paychecks have to stretch to the end of the week, health insurance is often lacking, and there are no safety nets.

When her father dies at only sixty-seven, killed by diabetes and kidney disease, Nicole feels deep grief as well as rage, knowing that years of precarity and lack of access to healthcare contributed to his early death. And then the unthinkable happens – less than a year later, her beloved mother is diagnosed with cancer, and the physical distance between them becomes insurmountable as COVID-19 descends upon the world.

Exploring the enduring strength of family bonds in the face of hardship and tragedy, A Living Remedyexamines what it takes to reconcile the distance between one life, one home, and another – and sheds needed light on some of the most persistent and grievous inequalities in American society.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Saturday, October 26, 4-6PM, Puentes de Salud, 1700 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19146. Free and open to all.

Join us for an intimate guided conversation exploring the diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives on dying moderated by Catherine Birdsall, a Philadelphia-based death educator and doula. Joining her, the panel will include Johanna Cabrera, an artisan diagnosed with uterine fibroids and breast cancer; Abuela Kunanate, a New York-based death doula; and Nija Rivera, a caretaker for her grandmother who recently passed. Attendees are encouraged to hold space and participate in conversation about providing care to people at the end of life. The speakers and participants will share their rituals and practices to shed light on diverse ways communities honor life and navigate the death transition. Through this dialogue, we will also examine and address how healthcare systems can offer more support for these cultural practices for the sake of the patient facing fatality and their grieving community. Light refreshments will be served at the event.

Grieving Conversations is organized in conjunction with Convalescence, an immersive art installation by artist Pepón Osorio at Thomas Jefferson University. 

Wednesday, October 23, 12-1PM. Zoom.

Join us for a panel of Jefferson employees as we share how security measures and restrictions can impact our roles. We will discuss how we advocate and remain compassionate through the barriers

About Schwartz Center Rounds: Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. Events provide space and a level playing field for hospital employees from diverse areas to discuss difficult social and emotional issues that arise in caring for patients and their families. All Jefferson students and employees are welcome.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Monday, October 21, 12PM and 5PM. Scott 200A

We all are simultaneously growing, learning and aging. Join us for a guided writing session and learn about the new topic and writing prompts for the 2024-2025 Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize. We will begin with sharing and discussion of the topic of Growing, Learning, Aging, do some writing, and then present back (optional) to each other. We hope you ultimately will submit your writing to the Yeo Prize, although this is not a requirement to attend the workshop. Submissions also are considered for publication in the next issue of Evanescent: A Journal of Literary Medicine. 

Two sessions at 12pm and 5pm in Scott 200A. Come to one or both.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available for attending one of the sessions.

Friday, October 18, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Join the Health Humanities Reading Group for a discussion of the New England Journal of Medicine article, Explaining Health Inequities — The Enduring Legacy of Historical Biases by David S. Jones, M.D., Ph.D., Evelynn Hammonds, Ph.D., Joseph P. Gone, Ph.D., and David Willians, M.P.H., Ph.D. 

When the Journal was launched in 1812, claims had circulated for centuries about differences in anatomy, physiology, and disease susceptibility between different human populations. Physicians’ persistent belief that these differences are innate has long drawn attention away from other possible causes of health inequities. As the Journal explores its history and acknowledges its role in voicing and perpetuating racism and discrimination, it must examine how it grappled with the problem of difference.

Special guest discussant: Ana Mari­a Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

About HHRG

The Health Humanities Reading Group (HHRG) gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Thursday, October 17, Jefferson Alumni Hall Eakins Lounge, 6-7:30PM. Free and open to all.

Join us for a conversation between artist Pepón Osorio and Magda Martinez, poet and veteran Philadelphia non-profit leader, in conjunction with the premier of Osorio’s immersive installation, Convalescence. 

Convalescence is rooted in Osorio’s personal experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The project highlights systemic health and health care inequities in the U.S. and includes stories from other Philadelphians who have lived through, or are currently experiencing, life-threatening illnesses. Drawing on relationships with groups typically underserved by the health care system, Osorio’s installation explores the nature of community-based care. 

Pepón Osorio is known for his provocative, large-scale, multimedia installations that merge conceptual art and community dynamics. Osorio has worked with over 25 communities across the United States and internationally, creating installations based on their real-life experiences. His work has been presented at the Whitney Museum of American Art; El Museo del Barrio; New Museum; Smithsonian American Art Museum; El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico; and El Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, among others. He is the recipient of various distinctions including a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the Skowhegan Medal for Sculpture, The Herb Alpert Award in the Arts, and a Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Fellowship.

Magda Martinez is the chief operating officer of the Welcoming Center in Philadelphia.  She is a veteran non-profit leader who has served the Mural Arts Program, Fleisher Art Memorial, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, The Colored Girls Museum, Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Boys and Girls Club of America, Taller Puertorriqueño and currently serves on the board of Puentes de Salud. She is a founding member of Las Gallas, a Philadelphia based artist collective that toured nationally and internationally.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

This event is organized in conjunction with Convalescence, an immersive art installation by artist Pepón Osorio at Thomas Jefferson University.

 

 

Wednesday, October 16, 5-6PM, Bluemle 107

The SKMC Chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association will be hosting our annual Women in Medicine Panel featuring four panelists revered in their respective fields of neurosurgery, radiology, oncology, and psychiatry. We will be discussing common questions for women in medicine and will be opening audience questions as well! Please come and hear about the leadership experiences and strategies used by these amazing physicians.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Tuesday, October 15, 12-1PM, JAH M21.

Join us for a relaxed session that encourages creative freedom and connection through art. Participants will have the opportunity to partake in drawing, painting, and creative writing. Feel free to bring your own supplies! 

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Saturday, October 12, 4-6PM,  Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Free and open to all.

José Ortiz-Pagán will lead in sharing and creating a medicinal bath.  This process is a custom that was passed down to him by his grandmother, who was a source of healing for her family and community. He believes that “although we may not all be healers, we are all keepers of information.” Attendees will create herbal bath soaks, working with rose petals, Anamu-Guinea Hen (petiveria alliacea), and Menta poleo (pennyroyal mint), plants often used by Caribbean folk medicine healers and are specific to healing long-endured trauma. Live music and non-denominational group prayers will accompany this immersive spiritual workshop. It will conclude with special instructions on how attendees should take their sacred baths when in the comfort of their homes. A traditional vegan-friendly Puerto Rican soup, Asopao de Gandules, or Pigeon Pea Stew, will also be served at the event.

José Ortiz-Pagán, a Puerto Rican multi-disciplinary artist based in Philadelphia, is acclaimed for his dedication to using art as a powerful tool to address social issues. Throughout his career, he has initiated community art projects in the city, aiming to preserve cultural presence and empower individuals and communities. Within his process is embedded the use of radical imagination and hope as strategies for change. Ortiz-Pagán employs spirituality as a means of resistance, creating meaningful experiences that honor and validate diverse communities within various diasporas. 

This medicinal bath workshop is organized in conjunction with Convalescence, an immersive art installation by artist Pepón Osorio presented by Thomas Jefferson University. 

Friday, October 11, 12-1PM, BLSB 105. Lunch provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff.

Today, few people know that Africans, Arabs, and East Asians laid the foundation for modern immunizations during the early modern period. Unlike Western Europeans, Africans, Arabs, and East Asians had been practicing a rudimentary form of immunization for generations by the early eighteenth century. Indeed, generations of sub-Saharan West Africans were already familiar with smallpox inoculation, a precursor to the world’s first vaccines. 

The rise of the transatlantic slave trade and American slavery had an indelible impact on the cultural significance of inoculation among eighteenth-century Europeans and Africans alike. In the early eighteenth century, European medical practitioners and slave owners learned of smallpox inoculation from West Africans and Arabs for the first time. They quickly appropriated the practice to control the spread of smallpox along Atlantic slave trading routes throughout Europe, West Africa, and the Americas. They used inoculation to protect their families, safeguard colonial settlements, and expand the slave trade and slavery. Nevertheless, Africans and their descendants continued to perform inoculations in contexts where slavery and colonialism constantly threatened their social ties. In the process, people of African descent imbued inoculation with new significance as they struggled to maintain authority over the practice and protected and reaffirmed their communities’ intergenerational ties to place, ancestry, and kin.

Presenter: Dr. Elise A. Mitchell is a historian of the early modern Black Atlantic in the Department of History at Swarthmore College. She was previously an American Council of Learned Societies Fellow and a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow in the History Department at Princeton University. Broadly, her work examines the social and political histories of embodiment, healing, disease, race, and gender in the early modern Atlantic World, with a focus on the Caribbean region. Her book, Morbid Geographies: Enslavement, Epidemics, and Embodiment in the Early Modern Atlantic World, is under contract with the University of Pennsylvania Press.

Wednesday, October 9, 5-7PM, BLSB 107. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Curated by Co-Directors and DEAFMed student liaisons Dominic Finan, SKMC '27, Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to step into the shoes of DHH patients or clinicians serving DHH patients. This immersive event will provide a safe and supportive environment for participants to experience firsthand the challenges and triumphs of communication in the DHH community. Through engaging role play exercises, attendees will gain invaluable insights into Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), and effective strategies for providing healthcare to Deaf individuals.

Presenters: Karen Kennedy, experienced Deaf interpreter in medical settings & Charles McGowan (Historian: Bachelor’s in History and Deaf Studies, Masters in Deaf Education)

SKMC students taking DEAFMed as a Humanities Selective who are also enrolled in the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate are not eligible to count these sessions towards Asano.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, October 9, 12-1PM, JAH Atrium. Lunch provided while supplies last. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

There is a robust body of scientific research demonstrating tango’s unique benefits for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD), as well as older individuals and people affected by other motor and neurological disorders, and mental and physical conditions. Join us for a demonstration by The Tango Therapy Project with musicians El Sesenta Dúo and dancers Damian Lobato and Sarah Chung on the benefits of adapted tango for people with Parkinson's.

The Tango Therapy Project (TTP) was launched in 2023 with the mission to provide therapeutic benefit, improve quality of life, spark joy, and promote social connection through Argentine tango. Based in Philadelphia and NY, El Sesenta Dúo (Shinjoo Cho, bandoneón, and Alejo de los Reyes, guitar) brings to life the intimate conversations of the urban Buenos Aires and sprawling Argentina. Sarah Chung is an Argentine Tango dancer, teacher, and performer based in Philadelphia, PA whose dancing is characterized by a strong sense of the music and a playful connection with her partner. Born and raised in Argentina, Damian Lobato left his profession as a dentist in 2000 to devote himself to dancing professionally and since then has been teaching and performing in Argentina, Central America, Europe and the United States.  

The Humanities Concert Series is made possible through a generous gift from Deborah L. August, MD, MPH, and Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD, FACS, FAHA

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Monday, October 7, BLSB 107, 5-6:30PM. Dinner provided. Open to Jefferson students.

Nature-Based Wellness

In this in-person workshop, participants will use art, sound, movement, and mindfulness practices to anchor in our connection to the natural world. Participants are asked to please bring a photo of or an actual item from nature that you are drawn to or connect with, and paper/something with which to write. Weather permitting, we may do some of these exercises outdoors.

Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Saturday, October 5,  8:30AM-2:30PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall. 

“Beyond the Wards: Career Exploration, Research, & Leadership” is an inaugural forum and research symposium hosted by Aspiring Physician Executives (APEx), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting physician leadership and diversity in medicine. This event aims to bring together medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals to engage in discussions on leadership, innovation, and policy in healthcare. The summit will feature a series of presentations, networking opportunities, and a research poster session with judging and prizes (1st place: $500 / 2ndplace: $250 / 3rd place: $100)

Our deadline for accepting abstract submissions in any research area for the poster session has passed.

Event Highlights:

  • Three thematic presentation sessions with expert speakers
  • Networking opportunities with peers and professionals
  • Research poster presentations with judging and prizes
  • Focus on promoting leadership, career exploration, advocacy, and diversity in healthcare

List of Speakers:

  • David B. Nash, MD, MBA- The Dr Raymond C. and Doris N. Grandon Professor of Health Policy
  • Erum Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD- Academic Chair, Department of Dermatology, Drexel University College of Medicine
  • Jay S. Feldstein, DO- PCOM President and CEO
  • Mitchell Kaminski, MD- Program Director, Population Health Jefferson
  • Mindy Gruzin, MD- PGY-1 Internal Medicine-Pediatrics at Penn State Hershey
  • Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi, MD- Emergency Medicine Resident Physician, Documentary Filmmaker, and Writer
  • Barthalomew Sillah, MD- Chief Business Officer of Avesta76 Therapeutics
  • Subha Airan-Javia MD, FAMIA- Health Tech Entrepreneur and founder of CareAlign
  • Dr. Ronald Menzin, MD- Regional Medical Executive - Northeast Region at CIGNA Healthcare

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Thursday, October 3,  4:30-5:30PM, BLSB 105

This seminar highlights the difficulties immigrants and refugees face navigating the US healthcare system with limited English proficiency. We aim to help medical students and any other interested health professions students better understand how to provide equitable care when working with this vulnerable population in the future. Dr Jessica Deffler and Jenna Gosnay MSW, LSW from the Hansjörg Wyss Wellness Center will be coming to speak on the topic.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, though credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Tuesday, October 1, 6-7:30PM, The Mütter Museum, 19 S. 22nd St. Free

Contemporary artists Willie Baronet and Leah den Bok join researcher Dr. Rosemary Frasso and Eddie Dunn– a person with the lived experience of being unhoused– in a compelling discussion focused on the public health crisis, the collaboration that led to the exhibition, and their hopes for what can be done to address the challenges faced by people who are unhoused. 

About the speakers:

Willie Baronet has been buying and collecting signs from people experiencing homelessness since 1993 as part of a long-term art project titled WE ARE ALL HOMELESS. In 2014 he began a 31-day cross country trip to buy signs in 24 cities, which was the subject of the documentary "Signs of Humanity." His work has been exhibited across the United States and United Kingdom.

Leah den Bok is a fashion and portrait photographer focused on capturing the stories and images of people experiencing homelessness. Her project, Humanizing The Homeless, has taken her to major cities worldwide, including Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, to document the struggles of those affected by homelessness. Leah aims to raise awareness of homelessness through her work. She has compiled her powerful images and stories into a book series titled "Nowhere to Call Home--Photographs and Stories of People Experiencing Homelessness." She donates 100% of her profits from her books and exhibits to local homeless shelters.

Eddie Dunn: In 2014, while experiencing homelessness and using drugs in Philadelphia, Eddie Dunn met artist Willie Baronet and was featured in Baronet’s documentary film, Signs of Humanity. Months later, while in recovery, Dunn reconnected with Baronet and shared how his life had changed, ultimately joining Baronet for a series of public events geared toward fighting stigma around homelessness and opioid use disorder. In 2017, the pair teamed up with Jefferson professor of Population Health Rosie Frasso and have worked together on several arts-informed projects designed to shed light on the challenges faced by people in need.

Dr. Rosemary Frasso is a health equity researcher and public health educator. Dr. Frasso earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice, as well as two master's degrees from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her current research focuses on the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods in projects designed to address social justice and public health challenges.  Dr. Frasso embraces traditional and creative data collection approaches, including, but not limited to, arts informed research, tag-a-long interviews, photo-elicitation interviews, photo-voice, freelisting and consensus-deriving group approaches. Additionally, she has worked on several cross-disciplinary projects with educators, artists and economists who are committed to using qualitative methods to support and enhance community collaborations and to amplify the voices of vulnerable populations. 

Tuesday, October 1, 5-6PM, College Building Room 213.

An enlightening and inspiring panel discussion focused on the critical role of LGBTQ+ leaders in the healthcare industry. This event brings together trailblazing professionals who are shaping the future of healthcare through their leadership, advocacy, and innovative approaches. Our panelists represent a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, each contributing uniquely to the advancement of LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation within the field. They will share their personal journeys, the challenges they have faced, and their strategies for fostering a more equitable and inclusive healthcare environment.

Speakers: 

Dr. Alexander Macnow, MD – Teaching Assistant Professor Thread Director, Pathology, JeffMD Program, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Dr. William McNett, MD – Clinical Associate Professor

Dr. Courtney Seebradi-White, MD – Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Associate Director, Neurology Clerkship, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Dr. Michael Stillman, MD – Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education & Academic Affairs

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but credit is available towards the Jefferson Humanities & Health Certificate.

Tuesday, October 1, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Join the Health Humanities Reading Group for a discussion of chapter 2, ("Breast Cancer: A Black Lesbian Feminist Experience") or chapter 3 ("Breast Cancer: Power vs Prosthesis) from Audre Lorde's The Cancer Journals. Participants can choose to read either or both of the chapters.

Published over forty years ago, this is a powerful account of Audre Lorde's experience with breast cancer and a masectomy. Lorde questions the rules of conformity for women's body images and supported the need to confront physical loss bit hidden by prosthesis. The Cancer Journals presents Lorde healing and reenvisioning herself on her own terms while offering her voice, grief, resistance and courage to those dealing with their own diagnosis.

Special guest discussant: Ana Mari­a Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Copies of The Cancer Journals will be provided at the session. Lunch provided.

About HHRG

The Health Humanities Reading Group (HHRG) gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

September 2024

Saturday, September 28, 10AM-2PM, College Building.

Please join Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Jefferson's Student Chapter of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) for our annual conference on Disability in Medical Education. We hope to bring together students, faculty and providers, curriculum designers, and patients to discuss ideas for improving care for people with disabilities by redesigning medical education. Lunch provided.

If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to aadmd@students.jefferson.edu.

We are excited to announce that we are accepting posters to display during the conference. There will not be a formal poster session, but posters will be available for viewing throughout the day and during lunch. If you are interested in submitting a poster, please see the guidelines below

  • Posters must be relevant to disability and healthcare, within any context, including healthcare delivery, accessibility, or medical education.
  • Posters should be printed and brought to the conference by the author / attendee.

If you would like to submit a poster, please complete the following form.

This is not a Humanities & Health event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Friday, September 27, 12-1PM, Hamilton 208/209.

Join us for an engaging writing workshop focused on AAPI advocacy in Philadelphia. This session welcomes writers of all levels to explore their stories, share experiences, and connect with others in a supportive, creative environment. 

Learn more about muse here.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Thursday, September 26, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided. Open to Jefferson students.

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional.

Led by Shawn Gonzalez, PhD, Assistant Director for Writing Services, Office of Academic & Career Success. Lunch provided.

Students who have already taken the August 27th session of this class are not eligible to receive Asano Humanities & Health Certificate credit for this class.

Thursday, September 26, 7:15-7:45AM, Hamilton 4th Floor Terrace.

Learn from a professional yoga instructor and bring your own mat. No experience necessary.

This event is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but Asano credit is available.

Wednesday, September 25, 5-7PM, BLSB 107. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Curated by Co-Directors and DEAFMed student liaisons Dominic Finan, SKMC '27, Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

This lecture will cover the important milestones in Deaf history, from the 19th century to present (plus a few tidbits going as far back as Ancient Greece). You will learn about how politics, education, community, and other factors contributed to the current state of Deaf culture and community in the United States. Additionally, you will learn more about Deaf people in the arts from the 20th century to present. We will be covering various Deaf experience as expressed through the arts.

 Presenter Charles McGowan grew up in Havertown in a Deaf family, and is currently a professor at West Chester University in the Deaf Studies & American Sign Language (ASL) department within the Language & Cultures department. He considers himself a Deaf history and ASL aficionado, and that is where his area of expertise lies - he double-majored in Deaf Studies & History.

SKMC students taking DEAFMed as a Humanities Selective who are also enrolled in the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate are not eligible to count these sessions towards Asano.

Wednesday, September 25, 12-1PM. Zoom.

Join us for a panel of clinical educators as we discuss the journey from student to practitioner and educator. We discuss balancing these roles, how to find joy early and late career, and how we maintain compassion for ourselves and others along the way.

About Schwartz Center Rounds: Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. Events provide space and a level playing field for hospital employees from diverse areas to discuss difficult social and emotional issues that arise in caring for patients and their families. All Jefferson students and employees are welcome.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Tuesday, September 24, 5:30-7PM, JAH Atrium, 1020 Locust Street. Refreshments provided. Doors open at 5PM. Free and open to all. 

Where does an uninsured person go when turned away by hospitals, clinics, and doctors? Ricardo Nuila's book The People's Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine takes us inside the Harris Health System and Ben Taub Hospital, where he has practiced for more than a decade. In this talk, Dr. Nuila will read portions from the book that detail the broken system's effects on his own patients, and how the public healthcare system, which emphasizes people over payments, might light the path forward.

Ricardo Nuila is a writer and an associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. For the past thirteen years, he has worked as a hospitalist and attending at Houston's largest safety net facility, Ben Taub Hospital. His first book, The People's Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine, was selected as one of the Best Books of 2023 by Amazon, Kirkus Review, and Washington Post, and was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. He is the director of the Humanities Expression and Arts Lab (HEAL) at Baylor, which integrates arts and humanities into medical education and has received an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) grant supporting its work. His essays and stories have been featured in The New Yorker, Texas Monthly, VQR, The New England Journal of Medicine, New England Review, and Best American Short Stories.

During 2024-2025, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Access.

Ricardo Nuila’s visit is presented as part of the Jefferson Humanities & Health program Convalescence, an immersive art installation by artist Pepón Osorio highlighting systemic health and health care inequities in the U.S.  

Tuesday, September 24, 5-6PM, College Building Room 202. 

Join us for an eye-opening session where we will be exploring the critical issues surrounding racial and gender disparities in the workplace, including disparities in opportunities, professionalism expectations, and wage gaps. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges faced by underrepresented minorities and engage in a crucial dialogue on how we can collectively work towards a more equitable future for our future colleagues.

Speaker: Robin Naples, MD – Clinical Professor, Emergency Medicine, Residency Program Director Jefferson Health

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit is available towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate and the Anti-Racism in Health Focus.

Tuesday, September 24, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Ricardo Nuila on his book, The People’s Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine.

“Is expensive healthcare better or is it just more expensive? Can we trust public hospitals in America? Why can’t people access healthcare when America has so many entitlement programs?” These are some of the questions Ricardo Nuila poses in his book The People's Hospital: Hope and Peril in AmericanMedicine. Nuila takes us inside the Harris Health System and Ben Taub Hospital, where he has practiced for more than a decade, and challenges the established idea that the only way to receive good healthcare is with good insurance. In this small group discussion with Dr. Nuila, we will discuss the introduction of his book, “Histories.” Participants are also invited to read an optional, supplemental reading assignment, “The Doctor,” a short story by writer and doctor Anton Chekhov, whose stories and letters inspired Nuila’s own writing.

Ricardo Nuila is a writer and an associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. For the past thirteen years, he has worked as a hospitalist and attending at Houston's largest safety net facility, Ben Taub Hospital. His first book, The People's Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine, was selected as one of the Best Books of 2023 by Amazon, Kirkus Review, and Washington Post, and was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. He is the director of the Humanities Expression and Arts Lab (HEAL) at Baylor, which integrates arts and humanities into medical education and has received an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) grant supporting its work. His essays and stories have been featured in The New Yorker, Texas Monthly, VQR, The New England Journal of Medicine, New England Review, and Best American Short Stories.

Access the reading here.

Time to read Histories: approximately 25 minutes

Time to read The Doctor (optional): approximately 10 minutes

Copies of The People’s Hospital will be available for students after the discussion. 

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Monday, September 23, 5-6:30PM, Hamilton 224/225. Dinner provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Come experience the power of Healing Verse with former Philadelphia Poets Laureate Trapeta B. Mayson and Yolanda Wisher, the Jefferson Humanities & Health 2024 Artists-in-Residence. Their residency centers poetry as a tool to support healing. This workshop will use prompts and interactive activities in a supportive writing space to help participants process, reflect on, and reframe their experiences as health care practitioners. Take a break and enter into poetry as a personal and collective healing art. No poetry experience is necessary; all are welcome.

Monday, September 16, 5-6:30PM, JAH 207. Dinner provided. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees. 

Special guest: Eddie Dunn 

In 2014, while experiencing homelessness and using drugs in Philadelphia, Eddie Dunn met artist Willie Baronet and was featured in Baronet’s documentary film, Signs of Humanity. Months later, while in recovery, Dunn reconnected with Baronet and shared how his life had changed, ultimately joining Baronet for a series of public events geared toward fighting stigma around homelessness and opioid use disorder. In 2017, the pair teamed up with Jefferson professor of Population Health Rosie Frasso and have worked together on several arts-informed projects designed to shed light on the challenges faced by people in need. 

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health. 

Saturday, September 14, 4-6PM, 2248 North Palethorp Street Philadelphia, PA 19133. Free and open to all.

Join Iris Brown for a workshop to create alcoholado. Alcoholado is a traditional Puerto Rican remedy made from the Malagueta tree and alcohol, used to relieve fever, muscle aches, insect bites, and more. Attendees will learn the art of using nature’s finest ingredients to create powerful homemade remedies and take their alcoholados home. A traditional vegan-friendly Puerto Rican meal will also be served at the event.

Iris Brown is dedicated to the rich exchange of culture, agriculture, and food, amplifying this diasporic connection between her Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia and her hometown of Loíza. In the early 1980s, Iris Brown co-founded Grupo Motivos, bringing together Puerto Rican women from different parts of Puerto Rico, united by the desire to use their surroundings to create beautiful spaces for their children and neighbors, ultimately converting abandoned lots into award-winning gardens and ancestral education sites. She is the visionary force behind the Norris Square Neighborhood Project gardens; El Batey, Las Parcelas, the Butterfly Garden, Raíces, and Villa Africana Colobó.

Questions? Contact Chelsea-Mia Pierre, Public Programs Manager for Convalescence, at chelseamiapm@gmail.com.

The alcoholado workshop is organized in conjunction with Convalescence, an immersive art installation by artist Pepón Osorio at Thomas Jefferson University.

Friday, September 13, 12-1PM, Helix Gallery, Hamilton Building. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Join us for the closing reception of Canines as Healers: Stories of Veterans and Their Service Dogs.

Service dogs can provide a lifeline back to the world for veterans experiencing PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other mental health struggles. Developed from a Scholarly Inquiry Humanities project at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, medical student Carly Onofrio-Kane interviewed and took photo portraits of nine veterans with their service dogs in analog and digital film, discussing their relationship in the context of healing. The narratives express the life-saving impact of service dogs on veterans’ lives, demonstrating an opportunity to explore their companionship as a supplement to traditional medical care. Given the high rates of PTSD and suicide in veterans, the project encourages a sense of urgency in increasing access to service dogs for veterans. 

Friday, September 13, 12-1PM, BLSB 105. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Curated by Co-Directors and DEAFMed student liaisons Dominic Finan, SKMC '27, Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

Facilitated by SKMC student liaison for DEAFMed Dominic Finan, Class of 2027 

 Join us for an informal signing session where we will be practicing basic signs that you can use when communicating with DHH individuals in medical and non-medical settings.

SKMC students taking DEAFMed as a Humanities Selective who are also enrolled in the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate are not eligible to count these sessions towards Asano.

Wednesday, September 11, 5-7 PM, BLSB 105. Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

Curated by Co-Directors and DEAFMed student liaisons Dominic Finan, SKMC '27, Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

This lecture will cover important and helpful terms to know in regard to using American Sign Language (ASL) in the medical setting. You will learn how to better communicate with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in a medical setting, as well as other tools at your disposal beyond ASL.

Presenter Karen Kennedy has been teaching ASL and Deaf culture for DHCC for 37 years, and she also works as a Deaf interpreter. She used to be a staff accountant for PECO/Exelon/Constellation before retiring. She also volunteers frequently for DHCC and other non-profits. She has three children (hearing, called Child of Deaf Adults, CODAs), one granddaughter who is 3 years old, and another grandchild on the way.

SKMC students taking DEAFMed as a Humanities Selective who are also enrolled in the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate are not eligible to count these sessions towards Asano.

Tuesday, September 10th 12PM-1PM, JAH 207

Two SKMC medical students will outline their personal experience with stress and perfectionism in medicine, outlining how one’s ability to manage these qualities can impact patient care. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and share their own stories in a small-group discussion format.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Tuesday, September 10, 12-1PM, Hamilton 505. Lunch provided.

A growing body of literature shows how our clinical communication can reinforce biases and impact care of vulnerable patients. This session will review best practices in patient centered language to reduce stigma, improve patient-physician alliance, and advance health equity. 

Featuring Guest Speaker: Dr. Megan Healy MD Professor, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Clinical Emergency Medicine, Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency

Dr. Megan Healy is a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, where she also recently completed her master's in urban bioethics. She serves as the Program Director of the emergency medicine residency training program. Her research interests include trauma informed care and community engaged interventions to improve health equity in emergency medicine. 

This is not a Humanities & Health event but credit is available towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Monday, September 9, Hamilton 210/211, 5-6:30PM. Dinner provided.

Grounding and Centering

In the first workshop of this series, we will focus on grounding and centering skills. The group will utilize art, music and movement and each participant will leave with a set of tools and skills that can be applied as needed throughout the school year.

Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC)

Thursday, September 5, 12-1PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall Eakins Lounge. Open to Jefferson students.

What are the social responsibilities of doctors and health care professionals? 

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Salvatore Mangione, physician, faculty member, and researcher on the White Rose Resistance Group. The White Rose was a Nazi Resistance Group made up of German medical students and faculty who had an expansive view of what it means to be a doctor.

From 1942-1943, the group spoke out and distributed leaflets against Hitler and the atrocities the Nazi government and army committed. All members of the White Rose were captured and executed. But, as they wrote in one of their leaflets, “We will not be silent," and their courage and legacy are remembered today.  

Located on the second floor of Scott Library, on the Thomas Jefferson University – Center City Campus, the exhibit features posters and photographs detailing the history and legacy of the White Rose Resistance. 

The White Rose exhibition was provided by the Weisse Rose Stiftung e.V./ White Rose Foundation, Munich.

This is not a Humanities & Health event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

August 2024

Tuesday, August 27, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional.

Led by Shawn Gonzalez, PhD, Assistant Director for Writing Services, Office of Academic & Career Success. Lunch provided.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, August 21, Hamilton 505, 5-7PM.

Curated by Co-Directors and DEAFMed student liaisons Dominic Finan, SKMC '27, Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

This lecture is a "crash course" on communicating with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States. You will learn about Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws, communication tips and strategies (including how you can use the technology you already have at your fingertips to better communicate), as well as how to work with a sign language interpreter.

Presenters: Tanya Sturgis (Education Manager, DHCC) and Neil McDevitt (Executive Director, DHCC)

Tanya Sturgis is the Education Manager for the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC) in Swarthmore, PA. Tanya is responsible for coordinating ASL classes, sensitivity training programs, and other educational ventures. Before joining DHCC, Tanya worked for Gallaudet University as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor. She currently lives in the King of Prussia area with her partner, 2 dogs, and 6 cats.

Neil McDevitt is the Executive Director for the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre in Swarthmore, PA. DHCC is the largest provider of interpreting services in the Philadelphia region and is also a key provider of advocacy services for communication access for the deaf community in the area as well. Neil joins DHCC after assignments at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Telecommunications for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Inc (TDI), and The Leadership Foundry.

SKMC students taking DEAFMed as a Humanities Selective who are also enrolled in the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate are not eligible to count these sessions towards Asano.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, August 21, 12-1PM, Scott 200A. Open to Jefferson faculty and staff. A discussion for students will be presented on September 5 in Eakins Lounge.

What are the social responsibilities of doctors and health care professionals? 

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Salvatore Mangione, physician, faculty member, and researcher on the White Rose Resistance Group. The White Rose was a Nazi Resistance Group made up of German medical students and faculty who had an expansive view of what it means to be a doctor.

From 1942-1943, the group spoke out and distributed leaflets against Hitler and the atrocities the Nazi government and army committed. All members of the White Rose were captured and executed. But, as they wrote in one of their leaflets, “We will not be silent," and their courage and legacy are remembered today.  

Located on the second floor of Scott Library, on the Thomas Jefferson University – Center City Campus, the exhibit features posters and photographs detailing the history and legacy of the White Rose Resistance. 

The exhibition was provided by the Weisse Rose Stiftung e.V./ White Rose Foundation, Munich.

Thursday, August 8,  6-8:30PM, William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Philadelphia

On behalf of the Writers' Council for Evanescent, join us for the launch party of Evanescent Issue 5: The LGBTQ+ Experience. Authors of featured essays/poems will be reading their submissions with an open mic to follow. Copies of the issue will be available.  

Evanescent: A Journal of Literary Medicine is the journal of the Eakins Writing Project, which also sponsors the Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize. The Eakins Writing Project is named after artist Thomas Eakins, who painted the renowned The Gross Clinic, and offers programs to facilitate writing as a conduit for healing and self-reflection. It seeks to provide space for the incredible stories witnessed every day by members of the Jefferson community.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event but Asano credit is available.

Thursday, August 8, 12-1PM, Curtis 218. Lunch provided.

The left and right brain are not two separate anatomical entities, but two different ways of engaging the world, metaphors for a close-up and wide-angle view that are equally necessary for the human experience. They are also fundamental for a practice of medicine that can be both wise and technically skilled. Yet, medical education fosters the left brain while ignoring -- if not altogether stifling -- the right brain. This lopsidedness may explain some of the paradoxes in today’s medicine, and will need redressing in order to prepare healers rather than technicians.

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able:

  • To identify the differentiating features of the right and left-brain modes of engagement
  • To learn how to rekindle a right-brain worldview
  • To understand why a right-brain worldview is important for a physician
  • To see how many physical findings were first observed by artists

Presenter:

SALVATORE MANGIONE, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the SKMC of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he also directs the Humanities and History of Medicine courses. He is a clinician-educator with a long interest in physical diagnosis, medical history, community service and the role of the humanities in medicine. His innovative programs and engaging teaching style have been recognized by multiple teaching awards, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, CNN, NPR, and Forbes. Dr. Mangione has also been involved in asthma education, creating (and directing for six years) The AsthmaBUS™, a red doubledecker he bought in London in 1999, shipped to Philadelphia, and eventually outfitted so to provide asthma education and screening for 15,000 middle-school children. For this he received the 2001 American Institute of Architects Award for most innovative exhibit, the 2003 World Asthma Day community service award from Philadelphia, and the 2004 Governors Community Service Award by the Chest Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians. Dr. Mangione has been an invited speaker at many national and international meetings, especially in regard to the use of visual arts for the teaching of observation. He's the author of the book Secrets in Physical Diagnosisand the recipient of the 2022 Nicholas E. Davies Memorial Scholar Award of the American College of Physicians for Scholarly Activities in History of Medicine and the Humanities.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Saturday, August 3, 12-2PM, Helix Gallery. Refreshments provided.

Join us for an open house and reception with photographer Carly Onofrio-Kane and curator Phoebe Warren about the exhibit Canines as Healers: Veterans & Service Dogs.

An attendance survey for Asano credit can be found here.

2023-2024: Futures

May 2024

Wednesday, May 1, 5:30-7 P.M., Jefferson Alumni Hall Eakins Lounge. Refreshments provided.

Join us for our culminating event to celebrate this year of the humanities! We will congratulate those who earned the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate and the contributors and editors of Inside Out, Jefferson’s student-run arts & literary journal. Hear students share excerpts of their written and artistic works from Inside Out’s newly-minted edition! We hope you come out for this in-person celebration to meet your fellow humanities peers, decompress, snack, and wrap up the year. 

April 2024

Wednesday, April 24, 12-1PM, Hamilton 224/225. Lunch provided.

Open to Jefferson students, faculty, staff and alumni.

In Marc-David Munk’s memoir Urgent Calls from Distant Places, in 2008 a young doctor sets out for Kenya to volunteer with the famed AMREF East African Flying Doctors Service. An emergency physician looking to make a difference, Marc-David Munk flew dozens of missions as a flight surgeon to eleven East African countries, including war-torn Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each chapter details the medical challenges of the mission but also explores the greater philosophical questions raised by treating patients in East Africa: African history, the impact of colonialism, communism, religion, terrorism, and war. Munk examines the unique histories and politics of the eleven countries he visits.

Urgent Calls from Distant Places is the story of the doctors, nurses, and pilots who tackled complex and dangerous missions to save lives, as well as Munk’s moral development as a healer and as a human.

Marc-David Munk is a Canadian/American emergency physician and healthcare executive. Over the past decade, he has held leadership roles at various nontraditional healthcare delivery organizations in the US and abroad. He graduated from Colgate University with a BA in philosophy and religion and completed an MPH in international health from Boston University.  After graduating from Philadelphia’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, he did residency training in emergency medicine, completed a clinical fellowship in international health at the University of Pittsburgh, and then completed a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at Peru’s Gorgas Program. He also holds a master’s degree in health care management from Harvard University.  

Moderator: Daniella Ibiam, SKMC Class of 2027

Wednesday, April 17, 2-3:30PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th Street).

Seeking student volunteers for Creative Aging!

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome! 

PA State Background check required.

Tuesday, April 16, 12-1PM, Conrady Lobby, Hamilton Building. Lunch provided.

The Jefferson Chamber Orchestra enables all members of the Jefferson community to play chamber music for both public and private audiences. The Chamber Orchestra has performed for weddings, cocktail parties, receptions, and private parties, including the SKMC White Coat Ceremony and Alumni Weekend. The group performs together at least four times each year at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and as part of the Dean's Concert Series. The Orchestra has been in existence for more than 10 years. 

The Humanities Concert Series is made possible through a generous gift from Deborah L. August, MD, MPH and Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD, FACS, FAHA.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. , Saturday, April 13, 12-5 p.m. , Helix Gallery, 1001 Locust Street, Philadelphia, 19107 (inside the Dorrance H. Hamilton Building).

Jefferson Humanities & Health and The Institute on Disabilities, Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, present File/Life: We Remember Stories of Pennhurst at Helix Gallery.

Over nearly eight decades, more than 10,000 people lived at the Pennhurst State School and Hospital, an institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities operated by the state of Pennsylvania from 1908 to 1987. When it opened, Pennhurst was considered a model facility. When it closed, it was because Pennhurst violated the human rights of the people living there.

File/Life is a community-led creative exploration of the Pennhurst archives by seven archivists, all people with disabilities and/or family members, including two former Pennhurst residents. These community archivists collaborated with a team of multi-disciplinary artists to share stories that made them listen, feel, imagine, and remember. In doing so, they asked the question: Can a file ever contain a life?

Visitors are invited to read and interact with archival material, listen to audio and watch video. Content is ASL interpreted, audio described, captioned, and available in Braille and though QR codes. Some video content is accessed through headphones. 

Tuesday, April 9, 12-1PM, Hamilton 505. Free and open to all.

Join us for a conversation with the community archivists and collaborating artists of the installation File/Life: We Remember Stories of Pennhurst.

File/Life: We Remember Stories of Pennhurst is presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and The Institute on Disabilities, Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, at Helix Gallery in the Dorrance H. Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust Street.

The conversation will take place in Room 505 of the Hamilton Building, a wheelchair accessible building. Room 505 is on the fifth floor and accessible via elevator. Community Conversations are ASL interpreted, CART captioned and Audio Described (through Aira). For more information, including location, travel, and accessibility information along with photos, visit File Life Know Before You Go.

Over nearly eight decades, more than 10,000 people lived at the Pennhurst State School and Hospital, an institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities operated by the state of Pennsylvania from 1908 to 1987. When it opened, Pennhurst was considered a model facility. When it closed, it was because Pennhurst violated the human rights of the people living there.

File/Life is a community-led creative exploration of the Pennhurst archives by seven archivists, all people with disabilities and/or family members, including two former Pennhurst residents. These community archivists collaborated with a team of multi-disciplinary artists to share stories that made them listen, feel, imagine, and remember. In doing so, they asked the question: Can a file ever contain a life?

Visitors to the installation are invited to read and interact with archival material, listen to audio and watch video. Content is ASL interpreted, audio described, captioned, and available in Braille and though QR codes. Some video content is accessed through headphones.

Viewer Advisory

  1. FILE/LIFE includes potentially challenging content that references abuse, mental illness, ableism, racism, racist slurs, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and heterosexism. The archival material includes historical language used to describe disability, race, and sexuality in ways that are offensive today. Though we recognize the difficulty of this language, it is included because it sheds light on the origins of stigma that has been experienced by people with disabilities, including those who identify as members of the BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities.

 

Wednesday, April 10, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion of three poems that explore the anger, frustration, confusions and triumphs of being a patient navigating chronic illness, covid, and disability.

“Incantation of the First Order” by Rita Dove

Rita Dove served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995 and is the author of seven books of poetry, two of fiction and one play. She has won numerous awards throughout her years of writing and teaching. “Incantation of the First Order” is a short, powerful poem she wrote during Covid.

“Patients” by Aurora Levins Morales

Aurora Levins Morales is a writer, visual artist, historian, teacher and activist who has authored seven books of poetry and essays. She writes about illness and healing and believes that stories are medicinal. She writes, “The stories we tell about our lives shape what we’re able to imagine, and what we can imagine determines what we can do.” Her poem “Patients” is from her 2013 book, Kindling: Writings on the Body. “Patients” interrogates what it means to be a patient under the care of the medical system.

“Triage” by Jody Chan

Jody Chan is a writer, organizer, Taiko drummer and therapist. Their poetry has won multiple awards including the Saint Lawrence Book Award and the Prix Trillium Award for their collection sick. In their first collection, impact statement, Chan used found material, from patient records to court documents in order to lay bare the history of psychiatric institutions. Writes one reviewer, “…Chan’s work is the courageous alternative future present we need.” “Triage” is a fast-paced fever dream of a poem about one woman’s walk home after being released from the hospital and all she encounters on her way.

Books will be available for students after the discussion.

Facilitator:

Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu

Tuesday, April 2, 8:30AM-10AM and 10:30AM to 12PM

About the Program

  • Voluntary interprofessional education program at Jefferson Center for IPE (JCIPE)
  • Learn with, from, and about your peers in different professions.
  • 1.5-hour session including 2 team simulations.
  • Practice using conflict-resolution and intervention frameworks

Why Get Involved?

  • Implicit bias negatively impacts communication & trust among healthcare teams.
  • Microaggressions are a major barrier to effective interprofessional collaboration.
  • These impact the safety of patients and wellbeing of team members.
  • Learn to define “microaggression” and identify when microaggressions occur in a healthcare setting.
  • Learn intervention techniques to take with you into your future collaborative practice

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event.

March 2024

Friday, March 22, 1PM-2:30PM or 3-4:30PM, Hamilton Building.

Team Care Planning - Black Maternal Health Case: This in-person experience simulates a birthing plan meeting with your patient, Melody, and her partner, who are played by simulated patients. Prior to the meeting, you will read her patient record and articles relating to racial disparities in Black maternal health. You will work in interprofesional teams of 5-6 students and brief as a team before meeting with Melody and her partner to provide your recommendations regarding the birthing plan. This takes place in-person. 

This event is full. If space opens up a registration link will be activated.

If you have any questions, please reach out to JCIPESP@jefferson.edu.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit towards the Anti-Racism in Health Focus, a subset of the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Friday, March 22, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided by Flat Belly Veg.

The Health Humanities Reading Group will discuss anti-racism in relation to food, foodways, veganism and cookbooks. Special guest discussant Dr. Marilisa Navarro will join the group in considering how two cookbooks—Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry and Decolonize Your Diet by Luz Calvo and Catriona Esquibel—go beyond conveying recipes to produce knowledge, critique racism and colonialism, deconstruct the white-centric veganism narrative, and highlight the voices, histories and experiences of people of color.

Reading: Marilisa C. Navarro, “Radical Recipe: Veganism as Anti-Racism”
Time: 18 min read

Special guest discussant: Marilisa C. Navarro, PhD, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, College of Humanities and Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University.

Thursday, March 21, 5-6PM, Foerderer Auditorium, College Building.

Class of 2024 Sidney Kimmel Medical College presents Senior Portrait Ceremony Honoring Kristin DeSimone, MD.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health Event but credit is available towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Wednesday, March 20, 5:30-7PM, Mutter Museum, 19 S. 22nd Street

Join the Section on Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the College of Physicians of Philadelphia for a panel discussion on the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. Experts from Broad Street Ministry, the Homeless Health Initiative from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Project HOME will share their work and experiences. The program will be moderated by Rosie Frasso, PhD, SM, SM, CPH, professor of population health at Thomas Jefferson University. 

This is not a Jefferson Humaniteis & Health sponsored event but credit is available for the Asano Humaniteis & Health Certificate. The Asano attendance survey will be shared on JHH Canvas after the event. 

Wednesday, March 20, 5:30PM, Herbut Auditorium. Light dinner provided.

Please join the SKMC chapter of Medical Students for Choice and the American Women's Medical Association for a panel-style discussion on the Alabama Supreme Court's recent decision regarding in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos.

Panelists will include Tara Murtha, Director of Strategic Communications at Women's Law Project; Jefferson OB/GYN and complex family planning specialist Dr. Kavita Vinekar; and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Jacqueline Gutmann.

We will discuss the legal implications and lasting effect of the Alabama State Supreme Court IVF decision on people seeking to grow their families using assisted reproductive technology, as well as how this case relates to larger attempts to restrict reproductive healthcare access in the United States.

A light dumpling dinner will be provided.

This is not a Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Wednesday, March 20, 5-6:30PM, Hamilton 201. Dinner provided.

“The Body as a Space” is a creative writing workshop series created by Enoch the Poet that was birthed from months of intensive therapy to identify and unpack the traumatic experiences living in his body. Centered on the polymerization of poetry and mental health education, these workshops conceptualize the body as various environments in order to identify and deepen our understanding of self, our connection to our body's and the information they are trying to communicate to us daily. Although the creative medium used is poetry, participants do not have to be poets in order to attend the workshops, the only requirement is openness and a desire to engage with what takes up real estate in your body.

The “Body as a Garden” challenges participants to think about the thoughts, patterns, emotions, and habits that have been nurtured in our body's garden.

Facilitator:

Enoch is a poet, author, trauma-informed teaching artist and creator and writer for manga seriesImmortal Dark. He was born and raised on the Northside of Wilmington, DE. As a mental health advocate and someone living with bi-polar disorder, his work examines the process of healing and the ways that trauma and mental health move through a family, as well as the outside forces that affect or have affected these developments. His goal is to create written works, curriculum, and platforms that deepen our emotional understanding and its cyclical relation to the conditions acting on the Black mind, body, and spirit. Enoch is the 2017 Philadelphia Fuze Grand Slam Champion and the author of two poetry collections, “The Guide to Drowning” released in 2017 and “Burned at the Roots” released in 2020. Enoch operates as the Executive Publisher and Founder of Black Minds Publishing, LLC, a national publications platform centered around the personal and professional growth of artists and creatives of the Black diaspora.

Wednesday, March 20, 2-3:30PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th St.).

Seeking student volunteers for Creative Aging!

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome! 

PA State Background check required.

For more information and to sign up, email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu

Wednesday, March 20, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library, 200A. Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion of the introduction, Chapter 6: Homecoming, and pages 257 to 259 from Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine by Uché Blackstock, MD.

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, it never occurred to Uché Blackstock and her twin sister, Oni, that they would be anything but physicians. In the 1980s, their mother headed an organization of Black women physicians, and for years the girls watched these fiercely intelligent women in white coats tend to their patients and neighbors, host community health fairs, cure ills, and save lives. Both women followed their mother’s footsteps becoming the first Black mother-daughter legacies from the school. 

In a safe and respectful space, we will talk about the gaps Dr. Blackstock experienced in medical education as a student and later an educator herself and how these gaps persist in present day. How, as she points out, profound and long-standing systemic inequities mean just 2 percent of all U.S. physicians today are Black women, even though racial concordance in clinician-patient interactions improves health outcomes. The need for a framework for understanding “what Black patients and communities have gone through… and are still enduring”  And her suggestions for creating “a better care infrastructure everywhere – not just in health” 

Legacy is a journey through the critical intersection of racism and healthcare. Her book is at once a generational family memoir, a searing indictment of our healthcare system and, importantly, a call to action. 

Copies of Legacy will be available for students after the discussion. 

Facilitators:

Krys Foster, MD, MPH, Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Residency Program Director, Thomas Jefferson University.

Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Access the reading  Jefferson Humanities & Health Canvas here.

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Wednesday, March 20, 10AM-2PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall Atrium.

March is National Nutrition Month! 

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign during the month of March created by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits!

This year we are celebrating with a day full of engaging speakers and student leaders who share a passion for spreading awareness and educating others on nutrition and strategies for healthy living.

Free food, raffles, games, yoga and volunteer opportunities.

Keynote Speakers:

10:30AM: Carly Foglia, RDN - Beyond the Expected: Dietitian Turned Entrepreneur

Join Carly as she shares her insights on navigating the intersection of entrepreneurship and health, offering invaluable advice on finding your niche and flourishing in the dynamic landscape of nutrition-focused business

11AM: Kristine Zabala - Beyond Group Fitness: Practicing Mindful Movment 

Join Kristine as she discusses fitness as a transformative tool for mental health, enhancing cognitive function, alleviating stress, and boosting overall mood. To make fitness universally accessible, we need to break down barriers by promoting inclusive environments, affordable resources, and community-driven initiatives that cater to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

12PM: Nate Kern, ATC, CSCS - Beyond the Gym

Join Nate as he talks with you all about physical activity “Beyond the Gym:” tackling ways to increase vitality and health through exercise that promotes social engagement and adherence.

1PM: Dalina Soto, MA, RD, LDN - Beyond Diet Culture: Q&A Session with Dalina 

Join Dalina Soto for a dynamic Q&A session where we will discuss all things nutrition, social media, and Latina culture. Dalina works to dismantle diet culture and allow cultural foods to be part of a healthy lifestyle 

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event but attending this event does count towards one Asano credit. Participants must attend  at least one keynote speaker to earn Asano credit.

Tuesday, March 19, 12-1PM, Conrady Lobby, Hamilton Building. Lunch provided while supplies last.

The first percussionist to ever receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, Ji Su Jung has a distinctive musical voice that is instantly recognizable for its depth and lyricism. She has performed concertos with such leading orchestras and conductors as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop, the Houston Symphony with Daniel Hege, the Aspen Festival Orchestra with Michael Stern, the Colorado Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra with Peter Oundjian, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with JoAnn Falletta. Highlights of Jung’s 2023-24 season include concerto appearances with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Sarasota Orchestra, and the Wyoming Symphony. 

Jung’s recording of the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts’s Marimba Concerto, performed with the Baltimore Symphony and Marin Alsop, was released on the Naxos label in February 2023. Pizzicato said of the recording that “Jung elicits wide spectrums from the work with superior technical execution.” Jung has performed solo recitals in such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. She frequently performs with The Percussion Collective, an all-star collection of young percussionists, of which she is a core member. 

Recognized internationally as a pedagogue, Jung serves on the faculties of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Jung holds a bachelor’s degree from the Peabody Institute and a master’s degree and an artist diploma from the Yale School of Music. Jung is a musical ambassador for Adams Percussion, Pearl/Adams, and Vic Firth percussion companies.

The Humanities Concert Series is made possible through a generous gift from Deborah L. August, MD, MPH, and Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD, FACS, FAHA.

Monday, March 18, 5-6PM. Zoom

Coping with Stress

In this virtual, art-based workshop, participants will engage in a variety of practices designed to reduce stress. Learn how to identify the physical and emotional symptoms of stress and how to move through them to a more grounded and relaxed state. Facilitated by Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Saturday, March 16, 1-2PM, Hamilton 505. Free and open to all.

Join us for a conversation with the community archivists and collaborating artists of the installation File/Life: We Remember Stories of Pennhurst.

File/Life: We Remember Stories of Pennhurst is presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and The Institute on Disabilities, Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, at Helix Gallery in the Dorrance H. Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust Street.

The conversation will take place in Room 505 of the Hamilton Building, a wheelchair accessible building. Room 505 is on the fifth floor and accessible via elevator. Community Conversations are ASL interpreted, CART captioned and Audio Described (through Aira). For more information, including location, travel, and accessibility information along with photos, visit File Life Know Before You Go.

Over nearly eight decades, more than 10,000 people lived at the Pennhurst State School and Hospital, an institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities operated by the state of Pennsylvania from 1908 to 1987. When it opened, Pennhurst was considered a model facility. When it closed, it was because Pennhurst violated the human rights of the people living there.

File/Life is a community-led creative exploration of the Pennhurst archives by seven archivists, all people with disabilities and/or family members, including two former Pennhurst residents. These community archivists collaborated with a team of multi-disciplinary artists to share stories that made them listen, feel, imagine, and remember. In doing so, they asked the question: Can a file ever contain a life?

Visitors to the installation are invited to read and interact with archival material, listen to audio and watch video. Content is ASL interpreted, audio described, captioned, and available in Braille and though QR codes. Some video content is accessed through headphones.

Viewer Advisory

  1. FILE/LIFE includes potentially challenging content that references abuse, mental illness, ableism, racism, racist slurs, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and heterosexism. The archival material includes historical language used to describe disability, race, and sexuality in ways that are offensive today. Though we recognize the difficulty of this language, it is included because it sheds light on the origins of stigma that has been experienced by people with disabilities, including those who identify as members of the BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities.

Friday, March 15, 12-1PM, Hamilton 210/211. Lunch provided.

This small-group discussion will be based on Da’Shaun L. Harrison’s 2021 book that focuses on the intersection of race, gender identity and presentation, and body size. The author self discloses their identity as a person who is trans queer, fat, Black, and lives with disability. Harrison addresses various topics on disparities in everyday life including misdiagnosis and derision in healthcare settings. 

Readings: Chapter 3: Health and the Black Fat, pp. 33-45. Da’Shaun L. Harrison, 2021. “Belly of the Beast” The politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness” 

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, PhD, MPH, Instructor, Jefferson College of Population Health.

 

Thursday, March 14, 12-1PM, Hamilton 210/211. Lunch provided.

Everyone needs some down time but not the guilt that comes when we think we are not being productive. Why not relax and be productive by joining us for some yarn work??

Spend some time with Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, Dr. Abigail Kay and Dr. Jenna Hagerty learning how to knit or crochet; or if you are already skilled come and share your talent.

Each student will get a kit including yarn, hooks or needles (depending on your chosen craft), some basic patterns, and other surprises!

Students will work on creating scarves that they can keep for themselves, gift to a loved one, or donate to JeffHope.

Facilitators:

Dr. Jenna Hagerty, Assistant Professor, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Dr. Abigail Kay, MA, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs & Undergraduate Medical Education, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Anatomy Education Division, Department of Medical Education, JeffMD Anatomy Thread Director, JeffMD Cardiopulmonary Block Co-Director, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Asano Humanities & Health Certificate participants who attended this session on Thursday, November 30, 2023 will not be eligible to receive Asano credit again for this session.

Wednesday, March 13, Scott Memorial Library 200A, 5-6PM

According the American Academy of Medical Colleges (AAMC) the pandemic years yielded an unprecedented increase in medical school applicants and matriculants. Of particular note, in 2022-2023, data shows increased diversity in socioeconomic status along with increased representation from underrepresented groups, specifically Black and Hispanic along with more women. With this influx of eager minds, it is critical to consider the potential toxicity of training spaces that do not acknowledge the racial or gender biases held by professors, clinical staff or patients. The challenges of persevering through the rigors of medical training have the potential to be compounded by environments that stifle or denigrate students and residents based on characteristics besides clinical competency.

In this session led by occupational and certified hand therapist Fatima Adamu-Good participants will reflect on the experiences of clinicians of varied disciplines and consider ways they might empower themselves or colleagues of color as they navigate a career in healthcare.

Facilitated by Fatima Adamu-Good, BA, MS, OTR/L, CHT, Adjunct Professor, Thomas Jefferson University.

Wednesday, March 13, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Join the Health Humanities Reading Group for a discussion of chapter 2, ("Breast Cancer: A Black Lesbian Feminist Experience") or chapter 3 ("Breast Cancer: Power vs Prosthesis) from Audre Lorde's The Cancer Journals. Participants can choose to read either or both of the chapters.

Access the Reading on the Jefferson Humanities & Health Health Humanities Reading Group Canvas page.

Published over forty years ago, this is a powerful account of Audre Lorde's experience with breast cancer and a mastectomy. Lorde questions the rules of conformity for women's body images and supported the need to confront physical loss bit hidden by prosthesis. The Cancer Journals presents Lorde healing and reenvisioning herself on her own terms while offering her voice, grief, resistance and courage to those dealing with their own diagnosis.

Special guest discussant: Ana Mari­a Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Copies of The Cancer Journals will be provided at the session. 

About HHRG

The Health Humanities Reading Group (HHRG) gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Monday, March 11, 5-6:30PM, JAH 307. Dinner provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special Guest: Carol Campbell

"When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade" and no one has managed to do that better than, Ms. Carol Campbell. As she explains, she is currently in her 55th year at the University of Life, and she has acquired a wealth of experiences that she is willing to share with her audiences. She is quick to point out that her faith in God, her friends, and her two wonderful children have given her strength over years to face and conquer difficult challenges.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Carol migrated to the States in the early 90's. She started out in the Nursing Home/Personal Care industry as a cook and worked her way up to become an administrator. However, a series of unfortunate events left her a single mother of two with no means of financial support. Instead of crawling under a rock, which would have been extremely easy in that moment, she started cleaning houses, which she has now developed into a business. Her experiences with the health and social system in her new country were beyond challenging, but she is still smiling and always there to help others navigate the barriers, challenges, and overt discrimination they may face as they try to live their healthiest lives.

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Monday, March 11, 12-1PM, Zoom. Lunch provided.

Amid the demands and pressures of a health-professional education, self-care can often take a backseat. Journaling allows us to process our thoughts and emotions, gain self-awareness, and support our overall mental wellness.

This program will provide you with the opportunity for guided self-reflection through the art of journaling. It will be divided into 3 parts:

In the introductory meeting (January 22, 2024 Hamilton 210/211), co-facilitated by Katherine Hubbard (MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, SKMC), you will be provided a notebook and equipped with tools and techniques to embark on a personal writing journey.

In-between, you will be emailed with weekly prompts that will help you to process and reflect on your journey into the healthcare field.

The final meeting (March 11, 2024 Zoom - link will be shared via email) will culminate with a reflection on the journaling experience. Through guided dialogue, you will have the opportunity to discuss your journey and celebrate together the growth you've experienced.

Participants will be invited to participate in an optional program evaluation.

Healing through Writing - An Introduction to Journaling and Wellness is designed and co-facilitated by Jenny Chan, SKMC Class of 2026, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Participants must commit to attending both January and March sessions.

Asano participants who attended the sessions in September and November 2023 for Asano credit are not eligible to receive Asano credit for the January and March sessions.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

February 2024

Thursday, February 29, 12-PM, Hamilton 210/211. Lunch provided.

SAGE/JCIRP Gun Violence Journal Club aims to facilitate healthcare professional student and trainee understanding of the existing literature regarding gun violence and its prevention. Please join us as we explore when and how to discuss guns with patients. 

 All TJU students, trainees, house staff, and faculty are welcome.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event but credit is available for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Wednesday, February 28, 5-6PM, Kanbar Performance Space and Virtual. Light refreshments and snacks provided.

Sponsored by the Creativity Core Curriculum

Jefferson faculty from across disciplines will make short presentations that explore both inspiring possibilities and deep concerns stemming from rapid developments in AI. Presentations followed by discussion with the in-person audience will focus on what these changes could mean for Jefferson students both now and in the future.

Featuring Presentations from:

  • John Dwyer: Chair of the Department of Architecture
  • Kathryn Gindlesparger: Associate Professor of Writing and Rhetoric and Director of the University Writing Program
  • Richard Hass: Program Director, PhD in Population Health Science and MS in Health Data Science
  • Barbara Kimmelman: Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences and Professor of History
  • Juan Leon: Assistant Provost for Faculty Development, Online Education & Assessment and Director, Online Learning at JCPH
  • Dimitrios Papanagnou: Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Provost for Faculty Development
  • Moderator: Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel: Director of the Creativity Core Curriculum and MS in Health Communication Design

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit is availble towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Wednesday, February 28, 2-3:30PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th St.).

Seeking student volunteers for Creative Aging!

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome! 

PA State Background check required.

For more information and to sign up, email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu

Wednesday, February 28, 12-1PM. Virtual.

Join us for a discussion of inspiring stories from our community's everyday heroes. Let's explore the power of kindness and resilience together!

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event but credit is available towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Monday, February 26, 12-1PM, Atrium, Jefferson Alumni Hall.

Open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided while supplies last.

Laurie Santos is the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and former Head of Silliman College at Yale University.

In addition to her work on the evolutionary origins of human cognition, Laurie is an expert on the science of happiness and the ways in which our minds lie to us about what makes us happy. Her Yale course, Psychology and the Good Life, teaches students how the science of psychology can provide important hints about how to make wiser choices and live a life that’s happier and more fulfilling. The class became Yale’s most popular course in over 300 years, with almost one out of four students enrolled. Her course has been featured in the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, GQ Magazine, Slate and O! Magazine. The online version of the class—The Science of Well-Being on Coursera.org—has attracted more than 4 million learners from around the world. A winner of numerous awards both for her science and teaching, she was recently voted as one of Popular Science Magazine’s “Brilliant 10” young minds and was named in Time Magazine as a “Leading Campus Celebrity.” Her podcast, The Happiness Lab, is a top-3 Apple podcast which has attracted 85+ million downloads since its launch.

During 2023-2024, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Futures.

Friday, February 23, 12-1PM, Hamilton 210/211. Lunch provided.

This small-group discussion will be based on Usha Lee McFarling’s November 2023 article on data that obscures health disparities among persons racialized as Asian. The article also references a 2020 study that determined health disparity can be “disguised by aggregation” among subgroups or Asian racialization. Discussion will be focused on the two articles to touch on data aggregation, Asian racialization in the U.S., and their impacts on issues of health equity.

Readings: 

1) McFarling, 2023, Asian American health disparities hidden by lumping data together- STAT (statnews.com)

2) Adia et al, 2020, “Health Conditions, Outcomes, and Service Access Among Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Adults in California, 2011–2017”. Available on Jefferson Humanities & Health Canvas.

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, PhD, MPH, Instructor, Jefferson College of Population Health 

Participants are expected to read and come prepared to discuss the reading at the session.

Thursday, February 22, 12-1PM, Hamilton 210/211. Lunch provided.

This program is open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff of all colleges and programs.

We all have a soundtrack that marks the many chapters of our lives. Teaching artist Josh Robinson will facilitate a reflection through your musical past, your stories, and the role music has played throughout your life. The workshop uses music as a vehicle to help participants connect to others and reconnect to themselves. Participants will be guided to reflect on the meaning of various songs in their lives and how music has helped them through both positive and negative experiences.

About the facilitator

Josh Robinson is a professional percussionist, teaching artist, and drum facilitator. He has been a visiting instructor in the Humanities at Thomas Jefferson University for the past four years and is in his second year as the Humanities artist-in-residence. For the past 19 years, Josh has used his skills, expertise, and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people each year around the country. Learn more about Josh at joshrobinsondrums.com.

Wednesday, February 21, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Open to Jefferson students.

Wendy Elliott-Vandivier, an artist and long-time disability advocate, will present information on her experiences as an artist and disability activist. She will show examples of her cartoons that focus on disability awareness and some of the microaggressions that disabled people experience as they try to live their ordinary, “un-inspirational” lives. She also will conduct a hands-on cartoon making workshop where attendees can create their own art about microaggressions, ableism and other forms of discrimination.

Wendy Elliott-Vandivier has been a leader in the disability civil rights community for over 30 years. In her professional work, she has successfully managed human resources, employee relations, EEO, Affirmative Action and Diversity issues for several large businesses.

Before joining the private sector, Elliott-Vandivier worked for nine years for the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, where she managed the agency’s Regional Technical Assistance Staff. She played a lead role in the implementation of federal civil rights statutes in a six-state region.

She is a former Board Member of the American Association of People with Disabilities, and the former Chair of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, where she advised the Mayor and Assistant Deputy Mayor with respect to existing and proposed policies, programs, and services for people with disabilities, and informed the public at large about the needs of the disability community. She was also the Co-founder of MOM Center (Making Options for Motherhood) at Thomas Jefferson University.

Elliott-Vandivier has a BFA from Temple University, Tyler School of Art. Her paintings explore issues of family, memory and experiences as a disabled woman. Her autobiographical cartoons focus on attitudinal barriers and stereotypes regarding disabilities, and some of the micro-aggressions that disabled people experience while living normal, un-inspirational lives. She is also a photographer of micro-scale monuments in nature, and is often inspired by close-up images that people often do not notice in daily life – tree bark, dead leaves, flower anatomy, and water.

Tuesday, February 20, 5-6:30PM, JAH Eakins Lounge. Light dinner provided.

Open to Jefferson students. 

How do you know when someone is confused by what you've just said? How do you tell when someone is angry? How do you know when YOU are confused or angry? Albert Mehrabian, a researcher of body language, first broke down the components of a face-to-face conversation and found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. Over 90% of how you communicate has nothing to do with what you say.

In current cultures we tend to focus a lot on the words that we say, the facts we know, the arguments we've cultivated. This workshop harnesses our attention to address the other 90% -- how can you know more about the non-intellectual, qualitative impact you're having on someone else, and how can you make adjustments to the ways you communicate non-verbally to deepen trust, foster confidence, invite more disclosure, and even enjoy connecting with others, even over a brief time.

At the end of the session, the attendees will be able to

  • Identify common emotional states and how they appear on various bodies.
  • Witness and analyze various non-verbal signals (including posture, gesture, vocal tension) to determine what stories they may tell
  • Gain awareness of what emotional states may exist in their bodies and how to name and identify them
  • Name at least three techniques to adjust non-verbal communication to increase desired outcomes.

Facilitator: Mark Kennedy, MFA, Education Programs Administrator at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, MFA from University of the Arts'/Pig Iron Theatre Company in Devised Performance, former Experience Consulting Creative Producer at Museum Hack.

Monday, February 19, 5-6PM. Zoom

Self-Care Medley [Music Edition]

In order to effectively care for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This virtual workshop will introduce you to a variety of music-based experiences designed to promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is virtual and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. A Zoom link will be provided in the Eventbrite order confirmation and the event reminder from Eventbrite, which will be emailed 48 hours before the event. If you do not receive the Zoom link, please contact Kirsten Bowen at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Thursday, February 15, 12-1PM, Hamilton 208/209

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event but credit is available towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Monday, February 12, 5-6:30PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 307. Dinner provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special guest: Oronde McClain

Oronde McClain is the founder of the Oronde McClain Foundation and a survivor of gun violence. In April 2000 at the age of 10, Oronde was shot in the head while walking in his Mt. Airy neighborhood. He was in a coma for a month, and was unable to talk or walk for 18 months. Today, Oronde is a full-time father of five, a loving husband, and a college graduate who works as a psych nurse for the government. He has transformed his life-altering experience into a driving force for change by establishing the Oronde McClain Foundation which advocates for gun violence prevention and helps gun violence survivors cope. Oronde is an author and motivational speaker who hosts events to give back to the community, and educates others on the effects of gun violence on his own life on the lives of children in general. This year Oronde joined the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting as the organization’s first Credible Messenger Newsroom Liaison. "I work with journalists and news organizations in Philadelphia in an effort to build and strengthen relationships with the Center, share knowledge and work together to advance the practice of reporting on gun violence. The Center and I share a common goal of exploring the idea that changing the way journalists and news organizations report on gun violence can prevent shootings and save lives." With his expertise as a gun violence survivor, plus working for 20 years in affected Germantown, he embraces the privilege of leading individuals toward unlocking their full potential and exploring boundless possibilities.

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Questions? Please contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Office of Student Affairs, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Tuesday, February 6, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion of the titular essay from Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory by Sarah Polley, Academy Award-winning filmmaker of Women Talking.

Sarah Polley explores what it is to live in one’s body, in a constant state of becoming, learning, and changing. Each of these six essays captures a piece of Polley’s life as she remembers it, while at the same time examining the fallibility of memory, the mutability of reality in the mind, and the possibility of experiencing the past anew, as the person she is now but was not then. As Polley writes, the past and present are in a “reciprocal pressure dance.”

Polley contemplates stories from her own life ranging from stage fright to high-risk childbirth to endangerment and more. After struggling with the aftermath of a concussion, Polley met a specialist who gave her wholly new advice: to recover from a traumatic injury, she had to retrain her mind to strength by charging towards the very activities that triggered her symptoms. With riveting clarity, she shows the power of applying that same advice to other areas of her life in order to find a path forward, a way through. Rather than live in a protective crouch, she had to run towards the danger.

Reading Time: 40-50 minutes.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Monday, February 5, 12-1PM, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust Street.

Free and open to all. Lunch provided while supplies last.

How does being disabled change the way people view the world and the things they create? Tracing innovations by deaf people and questioning the marketing of hearing devices, Dr. Virdi offers a historical approach for rethinking the role of technology for disabled living. Through historical and contemporary perspectives, she invites alternative approaches for remaking crip worlds, one in which disabled people, and the disabled gaze, are centered first and foremost.

Dr. Jaipreet Virdi is an award-winning historian whose research focuses on the ways medicine and technology impact the lived experiences of disabled people. Her first book, Hearing Happiness: Deafness Cures in History (University of Chicago Press, 2020) raises pivotal questions about deafness in American society and the endless quest for a cure. Born in Kuwait to Sikh parents, Virdi lost her hearing at age four to bacterial meningitis. A product of “mainstreamed” education, Virdi learned to lipread and rely on her hearing aids. Her new research project historicizes how disabled people tinkered with their prostheses and perceived their devices to be prosthetic extensions of themselves that were crucial for their self-crafting of normalcy. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of History at the University of Delaware where she teaches courses on disability histories, the history of medicine, and health activism.

Moderator: Benedicta Olonilua, Class of 2026, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Access: This talk will be ASL interpreted.

During 2023-2024, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Futures.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Saturday, February 3, 7PM, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall

Accepting donations of menstrual and sexual products or monetary donations at the door!

One donation = one raffle ticket for a gift from the cast!

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Saturday, February 3, 8:15AM-12PM, BLSB 101.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) is hosting its 2024 conference on Saturday, February 3rd, from 8:15 am to 12:00 pm, and we are excited to invite you to participate! With our wonderful faculty and student speakers, we will explore whether artificial intelligence is a friend or foe of humanism in medicine.

Please find a detailed itinerary for the day below:

8:15-9:00 am:  Registration and Light Breakfast

9:00-9:15 am: Welcoming Addresses by Dr. Charles Pohl and Avery Cox

9:15- 10:00am: Keynote Address by Dr. Bracken Babulah

10:00- 10:15am: Break

10:15-11:00am : Golden Nugget Speakers: Jake Rosen, Jordan Feingold, Mia Belovsky

11:15-12:00pm: Ethics of AI by Dr. Dimitri Papanagnou and Dr. Aziz Nazha

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

January 2024

Wednesday, January 31, 5PM, Hamilton 505. Dinner included.

Gun violence impacts every community in the Commonwealth--and we're building a movement to end it. Join us for dinner and learn how medical professionals are uniquely positioned to make a difference to end the gun violence epidemic. Our Advocacy Training examines the drivers of gun violence in Pennsylvania, offers critical solutions, and helps build your skills to advocate for change. Your voice as a medical professional is crucial in helping to grow the gun prevention movement. Please join us for this eye-opening, interactive program. 

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Tuesday, January 30, 12-1PM, Hamilton 505. Lunch provided.

Join NODA (No One Dies Alone) for a panel discussion with the current palliative care fellows highlighting their path to choosing palliative care and how their thoughts around death and dying have evolved over the course of their training. Top Tomato Pizza will be served!

Who: Dr. Jaclyn Nguyen, Dr. Colleen Graham, Dr. Dalia Amrom (Current Jefferson Palliative Care Fellows)

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Monday, January 29, 5-6:30PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 307. Dinner provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special guest: Pastor R. Shawn Edmonds

Join us for a discussion on Black men's mental health with Pastor R. Shawn Edmonds.

R. Shawn Edmonds stands as a thought-provoking visionary, driven by a fervent commitment to helping others uncover and fulfill their life's purpose. As a dynamic figure in the faith community, he actively challenges the conventional norms that often hinder personal growth and impede the journey toward a brighter future. His leadership embodies progress and innovation.

With an unwavering dedication to empowerment, R. Shawn is resolute in his mission to equip those under his guidance. As the Lead Pastor of Capacity Church, nestled in Germantown, he embraces the privilege of leading individuals toward unlocking their full potential and exploring boundless possibilities.

Beyond his pastoral role, R. Shawn is a serial entrepreneur within the expansive Edmonds Enterprises. This multifaceted venture encompasses real estate, culinary endeavors, apparel, and technology services. Regardless of the capacity in which he serves, his authentic nature and profound passion shine through in every endeavor and interaction.

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Thursday, January 25 5-7PM, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall

Many avenues of research impress the careful observer with their aesthetic quality. Jefferson’sSecond Annual Research as Art Competition celebrates all Jefferson researchers who have an eye for the beauty in their work.

Light Refreshments and Exhibit.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Wednesday, January 24, 12-1PM, Zoom.

Join us for our kickoff Schwartz Center Rounds of 2024! 

Our esteemed panelists will be sharing heartfelt stories about holding onto empathy when faced with tough situations. We hope to see you there!

This event is not sponsored by Jefferson Humanities & Health but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available.

Monday, January 22, 5-6:30PM, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall. Light dinner provided.

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Reconnecting

Research has shown that our relationships with ourselves, others, and nature have a profound impact on physical health and psychological well-being. In this in-person workshop, we will use the arts to explore ways of building and maintaining this all-important sense of connection. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC. A light dinner will be served.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC)

Monday, January 22, 12-1PM, Zoom.

Amid the demands and pressures of a health-professional education, self-care can often take a backseat. Journaling allows us to process our thoughts and emotions, gain self-awareness, and support our overall mental wellness.

This program will provide you with the opportunity for guided self-reflection through the art of journaling. It will be divided into 3 parts:

In the introductory meeting (January 22, 2024, Zoom), co-facilitated by Katherine Hubbard (MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, SKMC), you will be provided a notebook and equipped with tools and techniques to embark on a personal writing journey. Participants will be sent a Zoom link in the Eventbrite confirmation and reminder after registering on Eventbrite.

In-between, you will be emailed with weekly prompts that will help you to process and reflect on your journey into the healthcare field.

The final meeting (March 11, 2024 Hamilton 208/209) will culminate with a reflection on the journaling experience. Through guided dialogue, you will have the opportunity to discuss your journey and celebrate together the growth you've experienced.

Participants will be invited to participate in an optional program evaluation.

Healing through Writing - An Introduction to Journaling and Wellness is designed and co-facilitated by Jenny Chan, SKMC Class of 2026, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Participants must commit to attending both January and March sessions. 

Asano participants who attended the sessions in September and November 2023 for Asano credit are not eligible to receive Asano credit for the January and March sessions.

Wednesday, January 17, 12-1PM BLSB 105. Lunch provided while supplies last.

In this Anti-Racism in Health Focus discussion, learn to define microaggressions and the steps one can take to disarm their effects.

A microaggression is an unintentional and unconscious action that can negatively affect our day-to-day human interactions. They cause real harm to individuals. There is a large amount of evidence that it can be a major factor in the creation of disparities in the healthcare environment that can ultimately lead to patient-care disparities. In this session, we will define microaggressions, its documented effects in medicine, the concept of silent collusion, and the steps one can take to disarm the effects of microaggression.

At the end of the session, the attendees will be able to

• Define microaggressions.

• Give two examples of how microaggressions affect the patient care environment.

• Define “silent collusion.”

• Name at least three techniques to address a witnessed microaggression.

Facilitator: Bernard L. Lopez, MD, MS, CPE, FACEP, FAAEM, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Thomas Jefferson University.

Monday, January 15, 11AM-3PM, Hamilton Building. Lunch provided.

FREE LUNCH & MOVIE: Take Action & Make Your 250th Declaration this MLK Day!

Join PHILADELPHIA250 on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 15) as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and reflect on our nation’s history and future of revolutionary actions. Enjoy a FREE lunch and screening of "Rustin," a film honoring Bayard Rustin, the visionary behind the historic March, a cultural touchstone in our nation's narrative.

Be inspired by Rustin's story and engage in a conversation about the revolutionary actions we can take today to align our city with the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.

Join us for the film and conversation, or drop by between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to share your revolutionary declarations, recorded for posterity. Declarations will be shared with the new mayoral administration ensuring the 250th anniversary in 2026 echoes the spirit of the historic March on Washington — "by the people, for all people." Make your mark and be part of history!

Film screening at 11:30 am, followed by a free lunch and community conversation.

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Entry to the Theater

11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Movie Screening of Rustin

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Lunch & Community Conversation

Space is limited RSVP today!

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health sponsored event but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available to those who attend the screening and discussion.

Friday, January 12, 12-1PM, BLSB 105. Lunch provided.

Ever wondered what happens when the worlds of patient and physician collide? Join us for a special luncheon to hear the stories of medical students with chronic illness and disabilities at Jefferson and to discuss future accessibility efforts on campus.

Chronic Illness and Disability at Jefferson is designed and facilitated by MaryElena Sumerau, SKMC Class of 2026, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Wednesday, January 10, 12-1PM, Zoom.

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional.

A Zoom link will be in the Eventbrite confirmation email and will be emailed to students when they register for the session.

Led by Eileen Cunniffe, MS, Assistant Director for Writing Services in the Office of Academic and Career Success. 

Students who have already taken the August 29 or September 28 sessions of this class are not eligible to receive Asano Humanities & Health Certificate credit for this class.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Tuesday, January 9, 12-1PM, Hamilton 224/225. Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion of the chapters "Anatomy" and "Extraordinary Measures" from A History of Present Illness, a novel by Anna DeForest.

A young woman puts on a white coat for her first day as a student doctor. So begins this powerful debut, which follows our unnamed narrator through cadaver dissection, surgical rotation, difficult births, sudden deaths, and a budding relationship with a seminarian.

In the troubled world of the hospital, where the language of blood tests and organ systems so often hides the heart of the matter, she works her way from one bed to another, from a man dying of substance use and tuberculosis, to a child in pain crisis, to a young woman, fading from confusion to aphasia to death. The long hours and heartrending work begin to blur the lines between her new life as a physician and the lifelong traumas she has fled.

A meditation on the body, the hope of healing in the face of total loss, and what it means to be alive.

Copies of A History of Present Illness will be available for students after the discussion. 

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Monday, January 8, 6:30-7:30PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 407

Join us for this important talk by Dr. Sal Mangione in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. Seventy-nine years after the liberation of Auschwitz the horror of the Shoah remains as haunting to mankind as ever, as indicated by countless books, documentaries, and monographs dedicated to the subject. Recent attention has gradually shifted away from “perpetrators” and focused instead on the “rescuers” – those few courageous souls who chose to risk their lives so that others could live. As the epitome of altruism for the betterment of mankind one would expect physicians to have been both rescuers and resisters during the Holocaust. Yet, German doctors were the most nazified profession in Hitler’s Reich, with every second male physician becoming a party member. In fact, many were perpetrators who not only provided “scientific” legitimization and manpower to domestic campaigns of sterilization and euthanasia, but who themselves participated in pseudo-scientific experiments on concentration camp prisoners. Hence, the need to revisit the topic.

Content Advisory: This presentation features photographs depicting graphic images of war and death.

Speaker:

SALVATORE MANGIONE, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the SKMC of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he also directs the Humanities and History of Medicine courses. He is a clinician-educator with a long interest in physical diagnosis, medical history, community service and the role of the humanities in medicine. His innovative programs and engaging teaching style have been recognized by multiple teaching awards, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, CNN, NPR, and Forbes. Dr. Mangione has also been involved in asthma education, creating (and directing for six years) The AsthmaBUS™, a red doubledecker he bought in London in 1999, shipped to Philadelphia, and eventually outfitted so to provide asthma education and screening for 15,000 middle-school children. For this he received the 2001 American Institute of Architects Award for most innovative exhibit, the 2003 World Asthma Day community service award from Philadelphia, and the 2004 Governors Community Service Award by the Chest Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians. Dr. Mangione has been an invited speaker at many national and international meetings, especially in regard to the use of visual arts for the teaching of observation. He's the author of the book Secrets in Physical Diagnosis and the recipient of the 2022 Nicholas E. Davies Memorial Scholar Award of the American College of Physicians for Scholarly Activities in History of Medicine and the Humanities.

Monday, January 8, 5-6:30PM, JAH 407 and Zoom. Light refreshments provided.

Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

We live in times when physicians seem to have been debased to mere technicians -- or even worse ‘providers of medical services’, with patients being in turn reduced to ‘consumers’. Such debasement of the sacred patient-physician relationship has robbed us of a rich tradition that for centuries made medicine the profession of eclectic individuals capable of contributing to society through much more than stethoscopes and scalpels. Hence, this presentation will prompt reflection on "doctoring" and its responsibilities -- issues that have been rendered even more timely by the coronavirus pandemic. It's therefore a talk on professional identity, prompted in part by the ongoing debate about what it means being a 'Doctor' or, at least, what it ought to mean. This debate was started by the September 2019 Op-Ed piece published by Dr. Goldfarb in the Wall Street Journal (“Take Two Aspirin and Call Me by My Pronouns”), which eventually led to a ‘perspective’ Dr. Mangione published in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 22, 2021. 

Speaker: 

 SALVATORE MANGIONE, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the SKMC of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he also directs the Humanities and History of Medicine courses. He is a clinician-educator with a long interest in physical diagnosis, medical history, community service and the role of the humanities in medicine. His innovative programs and engaging teaching style have been recognized by multiple teaching awards, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, CNN, NPR, and Forbes. Dr. Mangione has also been involved in asthma education, creating (and directing for six years) The AsthmaBUS™, a red doubledecker he bought in London in 1999, shipped to Philadelphia, and eventually outfitted so to provide asthma education and screening for 15,000 middle-school children. For this he received the 2001 American Institute of Architects Award for most innovative exhibit, the 2003 World Asthma Day community service award from Philadelphia, and the 2004 Governors Community Service Award by the Chest Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians. Dr. Mangione has been an invited speaker at many national and international meetings, especially in regard to the use of visual arts for the teaching of observation. He's the author of the book Secrets in Physical Diagnosis and the recipient of the 2022 Nicholas E. Davies Memorial Scholar Award of the American College of Physicians for Scholarly Activities in History of Medicine and the Humanities. 

 

Monday, January 8, 4PM-6PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A

Join us for a presentation on refugee health in Philadelphia, led by Dr. Marc Altshuler, Professor & Residency Director, Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Director of the Jefferson Center for Refugee Health.

Dr. Altshuler's presentation is in connection with the traveling exhibit Outside/Inside: Immigration, Migration, and Health Care in the United States. The exhibit, produced by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), will be on display at Scott Library (second floor) from December 18, 2023 to January 27, 2024.

Following Dr. Altshuler's presentation, enjoy refreshments while exploring the Outside/Inside exhibit. 

This traveling exhibition and companion website trace the history of ideas about immigrant health, and immigrants’ and migrants’ changing experiences with U.S. health care since late 1800s. Immigration is an important part of the American story. Health care and medicine played a role in inclusion and exclusion, in “assimilation” and discrimination, in dividing communities and strengthening them. The exhibition images portray the history that reminds us that we all share a desire to protect our health and well-being. 

The National Library of Medicine produced Outside/Inside: Immigration, Migration, and Health Care in the United States, guest curated by historian, author, and educator Beatrix Hoffman, PhD (Northern Illinois University). 

This is not a Humanities & Health sponsored event, but credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate is available,

Thursday, January 4, 5PM, Foerderer Auditorium. Snacks and refreshments provided.

Female genital cutting (FGC) has affected more 200 million women and girls alive today across the globe, yet it is not well-recognized that Philadelphia ranks 8th among all metropolitan areas with around 16,417 women and girls at risk of FGC according to a figure from the African Family Health Organization. It is imperative for Philadelphia providers to understand the nuanced approach to sensitively caring for this patient population – for instance, some patients who have undergone FGC may perceive their experience as part of a cultural tradition or ritual and therefore don’t respond to a trauma-informed approach. 

As the second installation of our three-part educational series, Physicians for Human Rights at SKMC is hosting Dr. Jasjit Beausang, an experienced asylum evaluator and Jefferson-trained OB/GYN physician, who will discuss her experiences and advice on sensitively caring for survivors of female genital cutting (FGC). Please join us in Foerderer at 5pm on January 4th, 2024 to learn more about a patient population that is very relevant to our city but rarely discussed in the medical curriculum. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

December 2023

Wednesday, December 6, 5-6PM, BLSB 105.

Curated by Co-Directors Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

During this session, you will be able to further develop your communication skills with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, enhance your cultural competence, and refine your ability to collaborate with sign language interpreters. This skills reinforcement session aims to solidify attendees’ understanding and confidence in effectively navigating healthcare interactions with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Presenters: Karen Kennedy, experienced Deaf interpreter in medical settings & Charles McGowan (Historian: Bachelor’s in History and Deaf Studies, Masters in Deaf Education)

Karen Kennedy has been teaching ASL and Deaf culture for DHCC for 37 years, and she also works as a Deaf interpreter. She used to be a staff accountant for PECO/Exelon/Constellation before retiring. She also volunteers frequently for DHCC and other non-profits. She has three children (hearing, called Child of Deaf Adults, CODAs), one granddaughter who is 3 years old, and another grandchild on the way.

Charles McGowan grew up in Havertown in a Deaf family, and is currently a professor at West Chester University in the Deaf Studies & American Sign Language (ASL) department within the Language & Cultures department. He considers himself a Deaf history and ASL aficionado, and that is where his area of expertise lies - he double-majored in Deaf Studies & History.

Wednesday, December 6, 1:30-3PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th St.).

Seeking student volunteers for Creative Aging!

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome!

Tuesday, December 5, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Join the Health Humanities Reading Group for a discussion of chapters 8, 24, and 25  from Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad.

In the summer after graduating from college, Suleika Jaouad was preparing, as they say in commencement speeches, to enter “the real world.” She had fallen in love and moved to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming a war correspondent. The real world she found, however, would take her into a very different kind of conflict zone. A few weeks shy of her twenty-third birthday, she was diagnosed with leukemia, with a 35 percent chance of survival. Just like that, the life she had imagined for herself had gone up in flames. 

When Jaouad finally walked out of the cancer ward—after countless rounds of chemo, a clinical trial, and a bone marrow transplant—she was, according to the doctors, cured. But as she would soon learn, a cure is not where the work of healing ends; it’s where it begins. She had spent the past 1,500 days in desperate pursuit of one goal—to survive. And now that she’d done so, she realized that she had no idea how to live. 

Copies of Between Two Kingdoms will be available for students after the discussion. 

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Monday, December 4, 4:30PM, JAH Atrium

Special Guests: Philadelphia City Council Members-Elect.

4:00PM: Free Food Pop-Up

4:30PM: Dinner & Refreshments

500PM: Interactive Group Policy Discussion

Presented by Office of Campus & Community Engagement.

Monday, December 4, 5-6:30PM, BLSB 105. Light dinner provided.

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Restoring Balance

It’s so easy to feel off-balance - to feel torn between polarities of work-rest, doing-being, dark-light, joy-sorrow…and to be knocked off-center by unexpected events or changes. In this workshop we will explore and engage in creative practices that promote an awareness of what balance/imbalance feels, sounds and looks like, and what helps us restore and return to a sense of balance.

Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC)

November 2023

Thursday, November 30, 5PM, Zoom

Please join us for the latest session in the Climate Justice Speaker Series: Healthcare’s Failure to Address the Climate Crisis. This talk will explore healthcare’s role in the climate crisis and the role of medical student activism in enacting policy change.

This talk will feature a discussion with healthcare policy expert, David Introcaso, PhD. Dr. Introcaso has done healthcare, environmental and public health policy research for the US Congress, HHS and for numerous clients ranging from the American Public Health Association to UnitedHealth Group.  For the past several years he has worked independently doing climate crisis-related healthcare policy research.  He also works with healthcare organizations throughout the US to decarbonize and serves on a related Dept. of Energy healthcare steering committee.  He has published over 20 climate and health essays over the past five years and over 40 of his 300 healthcare policy podcast interviews address the climate crisis.  David began his career doing air and water quality research in the Southwest.

Thursday, November 30, 5-7PM, Hamilton 224/225. Light dinner provided.

Everyone needs some down time but not the guilt that comes when we think we are not being productive. Why not relax and be productive by joining us for some yarn work??

Spend some time with Dr. Elizabeth Spudich and Dr. Abigail Kay learning how to knit or crochet; or if you are already skilled come and share your talent.

Each student will get a kit including yarn, hooks or needles (depending on your chosen craft), some basic patterns, and other surprises!

Students will work on creating scarves that they can keep for themselves, gift to a loved one, or donate to JeffHope.

Facilitators:

Dr. Abigail Kay, MA, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs & Undergraduate Medical Education, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Anatomy Education Division, Department of Medical Education, JeffMD Anatomy Thread Director, JeffMD Cardiopulmonary Block Co-Director, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Tuesday, November 28, 5-7PM, BLSB 105. Light dinner provided.

Jump into the exciting world of fiber arts weaving! In this fun and relaxing hands-on workshop, you will learn how to make your own small frame loom and design a woven wall hanging. You will explore weaving techniques, and experiment with color, pattern and texture to create a one-of-a-kind work of fiber art. This is a one-session, two hour workshop. Participants will learn how to make their own weaving on a portable small frame loom. Each person will receive a mini loom kit to continue weaving at home or on the go!  

Facilitator: Lucia Alber (BFA Tyler School of Art 2016) is a Philadelphia-based artist and educator whose work combines sculptural and traditional fiber processes to create detailed installations, objects, and weavings. Alber’s work engages satire and humor to address perceptions of queerness through the scope of media and religion and the ways in which our dreams, memory and subconscious unpack and impact our identities. Lucia’s works have been commissioned and shown throughout Philadelphia and beyond. She currently teaches classes at Fleisher Art Memorial, Tacony Labs, and Allens Lane Art Center. 

Tuesday, November 28, Hamilton 210/211. 12-1PM. Lunch Provided.

Open to Jefferson students.

Amid the demands and pressures of a health-professional education, self-care can often take a backseat. Journaling allows us to process our thoughts and emotions, gain self-awareness, and support our overall mental wellness.

This program will provide you with the opportunity for guided self-reflection through the art of journaling. It will be divided into 3 parts:

In the introductory meeting (September 20, 2023, Scott Memorial Library 200A), co-facilitated by Katherine Hubbard (MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, SKMC), you will be provided a notebook and equipped with tools and techniques to embark on a personal writing journey.

In-between, you will be emailed with bi-weekly prompts that will help you to process and reflect on your journey into the healthcare field. 

The final meeting (November 28, 2023, Hamilton 210/211) will culminate with a reflection on the journaling experience. Through guided dialogue, you will have the opportunity to discuss your journey and celebrate together the growth you've experienced.

Participants will be invited to participate in an optional program evaluation. 

Healing through Writing - An Introduction to Journaling and Wellness is designed and co-facilitated by Jenny Chan, SKMC Class of 2026, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Monday, November 27, 12-1PM, Conrady Lobby, Hamilton Building. Lunch provided.

Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff. 

Join us for a dialogue across generations between ACT UP Philadelphia activists Jose de Marco and Jazmyn Henderson, facilitated by multidisciplinary artist Rami George.

This conversation will take place alongside the exhibition "The Crisis Isn't Over," curated by George from the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives at the William Way LGBT Community Center, and currently running until January 5, 2024, in the The Thomas Jefferson University Helix Gallery, in the Dorrance H. Hamilton Building at 1001 Locust Street.

With a focus on materials related to the ongoing AIDS crisis, George revisits legacies of activism from ACT UP and local figures lost early to AIDS. “The Crisis Isn’t Over” continues George’s explorations into local Philadelphia queer history, and is their first presentation as the Archives inaugural Artist in Residence.

Rami George (born 1989, U.S.) is a multidisciplinary artist currently based on Lenape land in what is now called Philadelphia. Their work—spanning photo, video, installation, text, and music/sound—has been presented in exhibitions and screenings at the William Way LGBT Community Center, Philadelphia; MIT List Visual Arts Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Anthology Film Archives, New York City; Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow, Scotland; Grand Union, Birmingham, England; the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London; the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia; LUX, London; the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; and elsewhere. They continue to be influenced and motivated by political struggles and fractured narratives.

Presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health in partnership with JeffLGBTQ.

Wednesday, November 22, 12-1PM, on Zoom

 

Tuesday, November 21, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library, 200A. Lunch provided.

Join the Health Humanities Reading Group for a discussion of the introduction and Chapter 4 of The Scalpel and the Silver Bear by Lori Arviso Alford, MD and Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt.

The first Navajo woman surgeon combines western medicine and traditional healing. 

The Scalpel and the Silver Bear describes surgeon Lori Arviso Alvord's struggles to bring modern medicine to the Navajo reservation in Gallup, New Mexico—and to bring the values of her people to a medical care system in danger of losing its heart.

Dr. Alvord left a dusty reservation in New Mexico for Stanford University Medical School, becoming the first Navajo woman surgeon. Rising above the odds presented by her own culture and the male-dominated world of surgeons, she returned to the reservation to find a new challenge. In dramatic encounters, Dr. Alvord witnessed the power of belief to influence health, for good or for ill. She came to merge the latest breakthroughs of medical science with the ancient tribal paths to recovery and wellness, following the Navajo philosophy of a balanced and harmonious life, called Walking in Beauty. And now, in bringing these principles to the world of medicine, The Scalpel and the Silver Bear joins those few rare works, such as Healing and the Mind, whose ideas have changed medical practices-and our understanding of the world.

Reading time: Approximately 40 minutes.

Copies of The Scalpel and the Silver Bear will be available for students after the discussion. 

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Thursday, November 16, 7-8PM, BLSB 107. Food provided.

Join the Jefferson American Medical Association (JeffAMA) and the Jefferson Oncology Society (JOS) for a discussion with Dr. Marsha Haley, MD titled Non-Physician Scope of Practice and The Medical Trainee: Current Status and Future Directions. Dr. Haley is a radiation oncologist from the University of Pittsburgh interested in advocacy related to various topics from physician rights to environmental protection. 

Thursday, November 16, 5-6:30PM, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall. Light dinner provided.

Be honest with yourself. Do you emulate a deer caught in headlights every time you're asked to present in front of your peers or professors? 

Do your class presentations induce sleepiness amongst your classmates and nerves amongst your stomach biome? 

Does panel facilitation risk you contracting a case of “foot-in-mouth-itis?”

In this interactive workshop, you’ll be guided through a series of public speaking tasks and writing exercises that will have you stepping bravely out of your comfort zone. You'll learn simple useful tricks to command attention, speak with confidence, and connect with your audience on an effective, authentic level.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

  • Identify common internal experiences that hold back effective communication
  • Gain awareness of what non-verbal and language cues distract or reduce clarity in public speech
  • Name at least three techniques to adjust non-verbal and language cues to produce clear communication and connection to an audience
  • Review and utilize a 5 step structure for simple and empowered storytelling

If you're ready to de-emphasize the nerves, banish the jitters, and become a public speaking powerhouse (or at least a more comfortable speaker of words), mark your calendars for "Actually Effective Public Speaking for Professional Humans.”

Facilitator: Mark Kennedy, MFA in Devised Performance from University of the Arts/Pig Iron Theatre Company. Former Experience Consulting Creative Producer at Museum Hack Current SKMC Phase 1 Year 2 Education Programs Administrator 

Wednesay, November 15, 5-6:30PM, Hamilton 208/209. Dinner provided.

Gun violence impacts every community in the Commonwealth--and we're building a movement to end it. Join us for dinner and learn how medical professionals are uniquely positioned to make a difference to end the gun violence epidemic. Our Leadership Institute examines the drivers of gun violence in Pennsylvania, offers critical solutions, and helps build your skills to advocate for change. Your voice as a medical professional is crucial in helping to grow the gun prevention movement. Please join us for this eye-opening, interactive program. Note: Dinner is included!

Presented by Students Against the Gun Violence Epidemic (SAGE) and CeaseFirePA.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but Asano credit is available.

Wednesday, November 15, 1:30-3PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th St.).

Seeking student volunteers for Creative Aging!

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome!

Tuesday, November 14, 6-8PM Bluemle Life Science Building, Room 107 

Curated by Program Co-Directors Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to step into the shoes of DHH patients or clinicians serving DHH patients. This immersive event will provide a safe and supportive environment for participants to experience firsthand the challenges and triumphs of communication in the DHH community. Through engaging role play exercises, attendees will gain invaluable insights into Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), and effective strategies for providing healthcare to Deaf individuals. 

Presenters: Karen Kennedy, experienced Deaf interpreter in medical settings & Charles McGowan (Historian: Bachelor’s in History and Deaf Studies, Masters in Deaf Education)

Karen Kennedy has been teaching ASL and Deaf culture for DHCC for 37 years, and she also works as a Deaf interpreter. She used to be a staff accountant for PECO/Exelon/Constellation before retiring. She also volunteers frequently for DHCC and other non-profits. She has three children (hearing, called Child of Deaf Adults, CODAs), one granddaughter who is 3 years old, and another grandchild on the way.

Charles McGowan grew up in Havertown in a Deaf family, and is currently a professor at West Chester University in the Deaf Studies & American Sign Language (ASL) department within the Language & Cultures department. He considers himself a Deaf history and ASL aficionado, and that is where his area of expertise lies - he double-majored in Deaf Studies & History. 

This session is open to all students, residents, faculty, and staff at Jefferson. Registration is encouraged, not required. Participants are recommended, but not required, to attend the first and second sessions before attending the fourth and fifth sessions.

Tuesday, November 14, 12-1PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall Eakins Lounge. Lunch provided while supplies last.

Open to the Jefferson community. 

Giovana Robinson left her native country of Panama fifteen years ago in pursuit of the opportunity to live an artistic and creative life as a musician. Her music reflects that journey, built upon her Panamanian roots, and blended with influences of Jazz, Afro-Peruvian, Latin Pop, and world music styles. As the co-founder of the Latin music group Rhythms & Roots, she has performed with outstanding musicians in Philadelphia and New York, including guitarist/arranger Enrique López, bassist Jorge Bringas, percussionist Marvin Diz, as well as Nestor Villar and Francois Zayas. In 2005, Giovana was selected as a vocalist to perform with the Philadelphia Music Project’s Latin Orchestra, led by Salsa legend Johnny Pacheco and Cuban composer/pianist Elio Villafranca. Her debut album Introducing Giovana is a musical diary of sacrifice, growth, and perseverance told through original songs and new arrangements of classics and folkloric music from her homeland of Panama. 

The Humanities Concert Series is made possible through a generous gift from Deborah L. August, MD, MPH and Robert H. Rosenwasser, MD, FACS, FAHA

Monday, November 13, 6:30-7:30PM, Hamilton 505. Light refreshments provided.

Jefferson Humanities & Health Artists in Residence Trapeta B. Mayson and Yolanda Wisher host an evening of poetry readings by Jefferson students.

Join us for a celebration of the healing effects of poetry! Exploring emotions, engaging in the senses, and expressing core feelings in writing leads to improvements in a wide range of health outcomes, including relieving stress and supporting overall mental wellness. 

Led by Trapeta B. Mayson and Yolanda Wisher, both former Philadelphia Poets Laureate, this event will feature participants from Writing Wellness: A Healing Verse Poetry Workshop, a Fall 2024 medical humanities course for Jefferson students that centers poetry as a tool to support healing. Participants have been encouraged to access their inner voices, experiences, and memories to write poems, and cultivate ways to process, reflect on, and reframe their experiences as health care practitioners.

Monday, November 13, 5-6PM Online via Zoom

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Relaxation

We often think that doing nothing is relaxing, but we may not be allowing ourselves to truly rest and be restored. This virtual workshop will engage you in music-based relaxation that supports deeper breathing, body awareness and imagery to experience a more grounded, calmer way of relaxing. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop will take place online and is open to Jefferson students only. Please register to receive the Zoom link.. If you register and cannot attend, please cancel at least 24 hours in advance to make room for another participant. Thank you!

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Monday, November 13, 12-1PM, Hamilton 208/209. Lunch provided.

The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) play a significant role in individual and population health outcomes. SDOH is affected by many factors. One factor is racism as it affects all aspects of SDOH. In this session, we’ll define racism, examine its history as it relates to the social determinants of health, and examine the city of Philadelphia’s health outcomes by neighborhood. 

Objectives – at the end of the session, learners will be able to: 

  • Define the institution of racism and its many forms, including structural racism 
  • List 5 components of the Social Determinants of Health 
  • Discuss the importance of structural competency 
  • Discuss examples of structural racism’s effects as a barrier to health equity 

Facilitator: Bernard L. Lopez, MD, MS, CPE, FACEP, FAAEM, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Thomas Jefferson University.

Friday, November 10, 12-1PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall Lobby and Atrium

Join Student Affairs and multiple DEI-based Student Organizations for the 2023 Inclusion Fair. The Inclusion Fair is a collaborative effort to unite and highlight areas of service, support, and connection for students of historically underrepresented identities. The fair will create a centralized environment for students to learn and build interconnectedness within the Thomas Jefferson Campus Community. We invite all members of the campus to attend and support this effort.

This event is not eligible for credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Wednesday, November 8, 4PM, JAH Atrium

Campus Life and Enrichment welcomes students, faculty, and staff to a campus-wide Thanksgiving Experience. The event will include an interactive dining experience, music, and more. 

This event is not eligible for credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Wednesday, November 8, 12-1 p.m., Connelly Auditorium, Dorrance H. Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust Street

This event is free and open to all. Lunch provided while supplies last.

The Carlin Foundation Annual Lecture on Healthcare Innovation

Neurotechnology, or devices that let you track your own brain activity, could help you deeply understand your health. But without privacy protections, your innermost thoughts, emotions and desires could be at risk of exploitation, says neurotech and AI ethicist Nita Farahany. She details some of the field's promising potential uses – like tracking and treating diseases from depression to epilepsy – and shares concerns about who collects our brain data and how they plan to use it, ultimately calling for the legal recognition of "cognitive liberty" as we connect our brains and minds to technology.

Nita A. Farahany is the Robinson O. Everett Distinguished Professor of Law & Philosophy and Founding Director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society. She is a widely published scholar on the ethics of emerging technologies, including the book The Battle for Your Brain: Defending Your Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology. President Obama appointed Nita to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, where she served for seven years. She currently serves on the National Advisory Council for the National Institute for Neurological Disease and Stroke, as an elected member of the American Law Institute and on the Global Future Council on Frontier Risks for the World Economic Forum, among others. Nita is a co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law and the Biosciences and is on the Board of Advisors for Scientific American. 

Moderator: Richard W. Hass, PhD, Associate Professor, Program Director, PhD in Population Health Science, Program Director, MS in Health Data Science

About the Carlin Foundation Annual Lecture on Healthcare Innovation

The purpose of the Carlin Foundation Annual Lecture on Healthcare Innovation is to stimulate innovation in medicine and medical care delivery by exposing students and other attendees to notable speakers and ideas. The Foundation encourages the selection of speakers who will challenge participants to think creatively and innovatively about the difficulties and opportunities facing healthcare, looking, in particular, to experts and industries outside of healthcare.Learn more: Jefferson.edu/Humanities

During 2023-2024, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Futures.

Monday, November 6, 5PM BLSB 101

Join us for a dynamic lecture series focused on advancing diversity in healthcare leadership. This program brings together thought-provoking discussions, engaging panels, and interactive sessions that delve into crucial topics shaping the healthcare landscape. From dismantling barriers to fostering effective allyship, this series offers a comprehensive exploration of key issues affecting our current healthcare system. Expand your understanding, connect with peers, and be inspired to drive positive change in healthcare leadership. Each session will run between 1-2 hours and will provide students with unique networking, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities from talented and diverse leaders across the public and private sector.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but Asano credit, including the Anti-Racism in Health Focus, is available for this session.

Thursday, November 2, 12PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall Atrium, Lunch provided.

Topic Discussion: "Redefine Your Citizenship"

Civic Power + Civic Character  = YOUR Active Citizenship!

Featuring 

State Representative Donna Bullock, 195th District, Chair, Children & Youth Committee, Chair, Ethics Committee 

State Representative Ben Waxman, 182nd District 

Presented by the Office of Campus and Community Engagement

Wednesday, November 1 6-7:30PM, JAH 207. Dinner provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special guest: Jibri Douglas

Jibri Douglas (they/them) hails from Newark, NJ, and is currently a 3LE part-time law student at Rutgers Law School. In 2010, Jibri graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion and Behavior. Since graduating from UGA, Jibri has worked tirelessly in the HIV/AIDS field in many capacities, primarily with LGBT homeless youth, substance users, and formerly incarcerated women of color. In 2017, Jibri graduated with a Master of Public Health degree from Drexel University, concentrating in Health Management and Policy. Jibri started identifying as trans*/non-binary around 2012 while working at Jersey City Medical Center. Having endured discrimination during the beginning of their transition, Jibri started the Pride Promise LGBTQ Initiative at Jersey City Medical Center. Jibri is continuing their transition journey, having legally changed their name in March 2020.

Additionally, Jibri identifies as a social entrepreneur who over the years has slowly married their background in public health to entrepreneurship. Jibri started their journey in 2008 by publishing their first poetry book "Old Vs. New: The Chronicles of Growth" selling over 300 copies in undergrad. In 2015, after successfully launching the first hospital-wide LGBTQ healthcare initiative in Hudson County, NJ, Jibri founded TJD Medical Consulting, a small Diversity and Inclusion boutique consulting firm with a focus on healthcare organizations. In 2019, Jibri transitioned into real estate development. After years of working in public health and seeing the impacts of housing blight on communities, Jibri created Noire Real Estate, LLC.

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

October 2023

Monday, October 30, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. 

Open to all Jefferson students, faculty, and staff. Lunch provided while supplies last.

Join us for a small-group discussion of the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, and her impact on modern medicine and science.

Reading/Listening:

‘Henrietta Lacks’: A Donor’s Immortal Legacy, interview with Rebecca Skloot on Fresh Air here (2010) (audio: 37min)

Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Henrietta Lacks And Race,” The Atlantic, February 2010.

Time: 40 min of reading and listening

The Health Humanities Reading Group explores the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cells, taken and used without her knowledge, have played a role in modernity as we know it: from vaccines to medicine to space travel. Lacks’ story is unique but also representative of the pervasive mistreatment of Black people by institutions of medicine, science, education, and healthcare.

Special guest discussant: Ana Mari­a Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

About HHRG

The Health Humanities Reading Group (HHRG) gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Wednesday, October 25, 12-1PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall 207.

Join our panelists in sharing stories about compassionately navigating language or cultural differences in a clinical setting. 

 

 

Tuesday, October 24, 5-6:30PM, Foerderer Auditorium. 

Open to all Jefferson students, staff and faculty; light refreshments provided. 

How can we collaborate across professions to actualize visions for a more equitable world? What forms of learning, cooperation and collectivity do we need to nurture possible futures? Jefferson’s 7th Annual Interprofessional Story Slam features five minute stories that help us consider visions for a more equitable world and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the healers, creators, and builders of today and tomorrow. Members of the Jefferson community will tell stories based in personal and professional experiences that led to insights about change and collaboration. 

Featured Storytellers:

Featured Storytellers

Diane J. Abatemarco, PhD, MSW

Professor, Associate Dean, Jefferson College of NursingExecutive and Founding Director of Maternal Addiction Treatment, Education and Research (MATER) Center

Melody McAlister, MFT, LMFT

Outpatient Therapist, Family Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

David Nitsch, BS, MPH, NREMT-P

Program Director, Assistant Professor, Emergency and Disaster Management, Jefferson College of Health Professions 

Paula Ostroff, MS, RN, BFA

Director of SKMC Clinical Experience, Department of Academic Affairs

Sydney Rosenthal 

College of Pharmacy, Class of 2025

Pamela Walter, MFA

Office for Professional Writing, Publishing, & CommunicationAdjunct Faculty, Jefferson College of Life Sciences and College of Health Professions

Blake Weil, BA

Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Class of 2026

Moderators:

Chioma Nwanonyiri 

Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Class of 2026

Benedicta Olonilua 

Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Class of 2026

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (JCIPE). 

 

Tuesday, October 24, 12-1PM, Hamilton 224/225. Lunch provided.

Join the Health Humanities Reading Group for a discussion of Chapter 7: "Medicine," from Michelle Zauner's best-selling memoir, Crying in H Mart!

In this story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner, singer and guitarist of alternative pop band Japanese Breakfast, tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother's particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother's tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food. 

As she grew up, moving to the East Coast for college, finding work in the restaurant industry, and performing gigs with her fledgling band--and meeting the man who would become her husband--her Koreanness began to feel ever more distant, even as she found the life she wanted to live. It was her mother's diagnosis of terminal cancer, when Michelle was twenty-five, that forced a reckoning with her identity and brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her.

Copies of Crying in H Mart will be available for students after the discussion. Lunch will be provided.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Monday, October 16, 5-6:30PM, JAH 207. Dinner provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special guest: Bella

Bella is a housing advocate and an educator. She will be speaking to attendees about her experiences navigating the healthcare and housing systems while being homeless. She brings the perspective of the invisible homeless – folks who fell on hard times and lost their homes but did not necessarily end up on the streets. She asserts that good health requires stable housing. How can healthcare professionals become proactive partners in advancing these goals? 

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Thursday, October 12, 12-1PM, BLSB 101. Lunch provided while supplies last.

We all have a soundtrack that marks the many chapters of our lives. Teaching artist Josh Robinson will facilitate a reflection through your musical past, your stories, and the role music has played throughout your life. The workshop uses music as a vehicle to help participants connect to others and reconnect to themselves. Participants will be guided to reflect on the meaning of various songs in their lives and how music has helped them through both positive and negative experiences. 

About the facilitator

Josh Robinson is a professional percussionist, teaching artist, and drum facilitator. He has been a visiting instructor in the Humanities at Thomas Jefferson University for the past four years and is in his second year as the Humanities artist-in-residence. For the past 19 years, Josh has used his skills, expertise, and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people each year around the country. Learn more about Josh at joshrobinsondrums.com.

This program is open to Jefferson students of all colleges and programs. 

Wednesday, October 11, 11AM, Hamilton Building 4th Floor

Join OSLE and guest presenter Celena Morrison, ExecutiveDirector of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, for lunch, information and insight on what it means to acknowledge LGBTQ identity and how the Jefferson community can ensure LGBTQ students are authentically seen and recognized. 

Presented by the Office of Student Life & Engagement.

Tuesday, October 10, Hamilton 505, 12-1PM. 

Dr. Alan Kubey and Nurse Mary Fannon will be reflecting on their experience with end-of-life care throughout their careers and what they have learned. Both of these care providers are not palliative care specialists, but the purpose of this care panel/talk is to show students that they will encounter death in their careers in healthcare regardless of what specialty/department they work in. Pizza will be provided! 

This event is presented by No One Dies Alone (NODA).

Monday, October 9, 5-6PM Online via Zoom

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Self-Care Medley [Art Edition]

In order to effectively care for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This virtual workshop will introduce you to a variety of art-based experiences designed to promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Facilitated by Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop will take place online and is open to Jefferson students only. Please register to receive the Zoom link. If you register and cannot attend, please cancel at least 24 hours in advance to make room for another participant. Thank you!

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

 

Thursday, October 5, 5-6:30PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Light dinner provided while supplies last.

“The Body as a Space” is a creative writing workshop series created by Enoch the Poet that was birthed from months of intensive therapy to identify and unpack the traumatic experiences living in his body. Centered on the polymerization of poetry and mental health education, these workshops conceptualize the body as various environments in order to identify and deepen our understanding of self, our connection to our body's and the information they are trying to communicate to us daily. Although the creative medium used is poetry, participants do not have to be a poet in order to attend the workshops, the only requirement is openness and a desire to engage with what takes up real estate in your body.

The “Body as a Home” takes participants on a journey to explore the things (emotions, experiences, memories, etc.) that take up real estate in our bodies. It poses the questions; what has been living inside us and what needs to be cast out or welcomed in?

Facilitator: 

Enoch is a poet, author, trauma-informed teaching artist and creator and writer for manga series Immortal Dark. He was born and raised on the Northside of Wilmington, DE. As a mental health advocate and someone living with bi-polar disorder, his work examines the process of healing and the ways that trauma and mental health move through a family, as well as the outside forces that affect or have affected these developments. His goal is to create written works, curriculum, and platforms that deepen our emotional understanding and its cyclical relation to the conditions acting on the Black mind, body, and spirit. Enoch is the 2017 Philadelphia Fuze Grand Slam Champion and the author of two poetry collections, “The Guide to Drowning” released in 2017 and “Burned at the Roots” released in 2020. Enoch operates as the Executive Publisher and Founder of Black Minds Publishing, LLC, a national publications platform centered around the personal and professional growth of artists and creatives of the Black diaspora. 

Thursday, October 5, 10AM -12:30PM, Kanbar Performance Space, Kanbar Student Center, 4201 Henry Avenue, East Falls Campus

Attendees will learn about art therapy as a dynamic approach to mental health, counseling, and healing. This art therapy introduction is hands-on and participants will create while learning about the use of art in psychotherapy as a tool for physical and emotional release, personal development and growth, insight, trauma processing, skill-building, and enhancing communication. 

Participants do not need to have any prior art experience or proficiency to appreciate this workshop. Art therapy is founded on the principles that art is inherently healing and life-enhancing and that all people have the capacity for growth, change, and creative expression. 

 

Wednesday, October 4, 1:30-3PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th St.).

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome!

Tuesday, October 3, 5PM, College 201

****** Applications are due on September 8th @ 11:59PM ******

Join us for a dynamic lecture series focused on advancing diversity in healthcare leadership. This program brings together thought-provoking discussions, engaging panels, and interactive sessions that delve into crucial topics shaping the healthcare landscape. From dismantling barriers to fostering effective allyship, this series offers a comprehensive exploration of key issues affecting our current healthcare system. Expand your understanding, connect with peers, and be inspired to drive positive change in healthcare leadership. Each session will run between 1-2 hours and will provide students with unique networking, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities from talented and diverse leaders across the public and private sector.

For questions/concerns, please contact the Diversity Committee co-chairs: Benedicta (boo003@jefferson.edu) or Shreya (sxv203@jefferson.edu).

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but Asano credit, including the Anti-Racism in Health Focus, is available for this session.

Tuesday, October 3, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall, 12-1PM. 

Free and open to all. Lunch provided while supplies last. 

Talent is distributed evenly, but access and opportunity are not. And I’m going to do everything in my power to change that.

In his early twenties, Stanley Andrisse was sentenced to ten years in a maximum-security prison for drug trafficking. In prison, despite poor structure, policies, institutionalized thinking and behaviors, he maintained his humanity and worked towards growth. Now a scientist and assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine, Dr. Andrisse shares how he was one of many exceptional people in prison—where talent is distributed evenly, but access and opportunity are not. Science and academia are uniquely positioned to help change this narrative. Dr. Andrisse’s organization, From Prison to Professionals (P2P), has successfully implemented an innovative approach intersecting the worlds of research, education, and incarceration by creating a ground-breaking prison-to-college-and-STEM pipeline. 

Stanley Andrisse, PhD, MBA, is an endocrinologist scientist and assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine researching type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. He is visiting faculty at Georgetown University Medical Center and has held a visiting faculty position at Imperial College London and an adjunct professorship at Johns Hopkins Medicine after completing his postdoctoral training. Dr. Andrisse completed his PhD at Saint Louis University and his MBA and bachelor’s degree at Lindenwood University, where he played three years of collegiate football. 

Forum Scholar: Guangzhi Huang, PhD, Director of Interdisciplinary Studies, Assistant Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences

During 2023-2024, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Futures. This event is co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Jefferson College of Humanities & Sciences as part of their Dietrich V. Asten Lecture Series, an endowed series established to sponsor lectures in the humanities, sciences, government and the arts.

Monday, October 2, Kanbar Campus Center, East Falls Campus, 4201 Henry Avenue, 5-6:30PM

Open to the Jefferson community.

Please join us on Monday Oct 2nd for Dr. Andrisse’s lecture where he will share his story of using higher education to overcome poverty and stigmatization and become a scientist in world renowned institutions. It is a story of empowerment, inspiration, and love. 

Dr. Stanley Andrisse is an assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine researching type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. He has also held teaching or research positions at Georgetown University Medical Center, Imperial College London, and Johns Hopkins Medicine. From a Haitian family, he embodies the success that many immigrants hope their children would achieve.  

His journey to success, however, was far from a smooth sail. As a young black man from Ferguson, Missouri, he faced systemic racism growing up. In his early twenties, Dr. Andrisse was sentenced to ten years in a maximum-security prison for drug trafficking, a huge blow to his family. In prison, however, despite poor structure, policies, institutionalized thinking and behaviors, he maintained his humanity and worked towards growth. He chronicled his story in his memoir, From Prison Cells to PhD.

Now an advocate, Dr. Andrisse wants to draw attention to the many talents in prison and their lack of access to opportunities. Science and academia are uniquely positioned to help change this narrative. Dr. Andrisse’s organization, From Prison to Professionals (P2P), has successfully implemented an innovative approach intersecting the worlds of research, education, and incarceration by creating a ground-breaking prison-to-college-and-STEM pipeline. 

 Presented by the College of Humanities and Sciences and the Detrich V. Asten Speaker Series for the Jefferson Humanities Forum.

September 2023

Saturday, September 30, 10AM-4PM, Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

Come and join us in a discussion about the current state of disability education in medical education, and how health professionals in different fields may learn from one another in their approach to patients with disabilities. Learn from health professional educators and disability advocates about the most effective means for improving medical education around disability and working toward social and health equity for all people with disabilities. Lunch is provided. 

Keynote Address: Matthew Purinton is a clinical social worker who practices individual, couple, and family therapy, and he is particularly passionate about working with adults and children with chronic pain and/or disability. As an accomplished writer, lecturer, and consultant, Matthew continues to use his professional expertise and personal experience to train healthcare professionals, influence program development around disability in academic and other professional settings, and fight for equity for all people with disabilities in the public and health spheres.

Advocating for Patients with Disabilities: Kaitlyn David, MS, MPH and Mary Stephens, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FAADM will describe how to get involved with advocacy efforts at the city, state, and federal level on behalf of patients with disabilities to improve their access to quality healthcare.

The Health Resume: Wendy Ross, MD, FAAP and Jane Tobias, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC will describe a multidisciplinary approach to improving communication pathways for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Health Resume is used to reflect the personal preferences and values of an individual with an intellectual and/or developmental disability when accessing healthcare. It also supports the healthcare team in providing safe, supportive care that meets the needs of the patient.  

PT/OT Approach to the Patient with Disability: Courtney Gohean, MS, OTR/L, BCG, CLT, Kelsey Busch, DPT, OCS, CSCS, and Helen Milligan, DPT, PCS, all providers in Occupational and Physical Therapy will explore the wisdom and nuances in different fields’ approach to patients with disabilities, moderated by Nethra Ankam, MD. Panelists will work through patient cases with attendees, sharing how the training in their field of therapy equips them to better care for their patients with disabilities, both in and out of acute rehabilitation settings.

Advocacy Panel, Experiences with the Healthcare System: Moderated by Shane Janick, Executive Director at The Arc of Philadelphia, the panel will focus on the healthcare experience of patients with disabilities from their own perspective. Panelist advocates will discuss their positive and negative experiences within healthcare settings, the challenges individuals with disabilities face in clinical settings, and potential solutions for those spaces to promote inclusion to best serve the diverse disability communities.

This event is hosted by hosted by AADMD Jefferson Student Chapter and the Department of Medicine.

Thursday, September 28, 5:30PM, BLSB 101

****** Applications are due on September 8th @ 11:59PM ******

Join us for a dynamic lecture series focused on advancing diversity in healthcare leadership. This program brings together thought-provoking discussions, engaging panels, and interactive sessions that delve into crucial topics shaping the healthcare landscape. From dismantling barriers to fostering effective allyship, this series offers a comprehensive exploration of key issues affecting our current healthcare system. Expand your understanding, connect with peers, and be inspired to drive positive change in healthcare leadership. Each session will run between 1-2 hours and will provide students with unique networking, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities from talented and diverse leaders across the public and private sector.

For questions/concerns, please contact the Diversity Committee co-chairs: Benedicta (boo003@jefferson.edu) or Shreya (sxv203@jefferson.edu).

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but Asano credit, including the Anti-Racism in Health Focus, is available for this session.

Thursday, September 28, 12-1PM, Hamilton 505. Food provided.

Join us in learning about the history of Hepatitis B in Philadelphia with Dr. Shara Epstein, from medical aspects to social and cultural contexts, and how this health issue intersects with the lived experiences of diverse populations in Philadelphia.

Presented by Refugee Health Partners.  

Thursday, September 28, 12-1PM, Hamilton 208/209. Lunch provided.

Join us for an in-person writing workshop to enhance your Asano Humanities Portfolio reflections.

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional. 

Led by Eileen Cunniffe, MS, Assistant Director for Writing Services in the Office of Academic and Career Success. 

Thursday, September 28, 7AM, Lubert Plaza.

Open to the Jefferson community.

Start the morning with Vinyasa Yoga at Lubert Plaza!

Integrative medicine is a healing-oriented approach to patient care that focuses on the health of the whole person, including the impact of lifestyle, values, and personal goals. 

The Integrative Medicine Society aims to explore this field and learn how we can use a holistic and broad spectrum of care to more fully address the needs of our patients and the root causes of diseases.

Sponsored by Integrative Medicine Society. 

Questions? Contact Julia Evans (SKMC M2) at Julia.Evans2@students.jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, September 27, 6-8PM, BLSB 105

Curated by Program Co-Directors Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

This lecture will cover the important milestones in Deaf history, from the 19th century to present (plus a few tidbits going as far back as Ancient Greece). You will learn about how politics, education, community, and other factors contributed to the current state of Deaf culture and community in the United States. Additionally, you will learn more about Deaf people in the arts from the 20th century to present. We will be covering various Deaf experience as expressed through the arts.

Presenter Charles McGowan grew up in Havertown in a Deaf family, and is currently a professor at West Chester University in the Deaf Studies & American Sign Language (ASL) department within the Language & Cultures department. He considers himself a Deaf history and ASL aficionado, and that is where his area of expertise lies - he double-majored in Deaf Studies & History. 

This session is open to all students, residents, faculty, and staff at Jefferson. Registration is encouraged, not required. Participants are recommended, but not required, to attend the first and second sessions before attending the fourth and fifth sessions.

Wednesday, September 27, 12-1PM, Zoom.

 We will be discussing the role of technology in medicine, including electronic chart apps, access to notes, and even wearable medical devices, in providing compassionate healthcare, and both the benefits and challenges these technologies can present. Join us as we discuss ways in which technology in medicine has strengthened our clinical relationships and how to maintain compassion in combatting that Epic fatigue.

Panelists Include: Dr Michael Stillman, Noelle Sowers 

Asano attendance survey is available on Canvas after the event.

Tuesday, September 26, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library, 200A. Lunch provided.

The Health Humanities Reading Group kicks off with a discussion of chapter 1, "Is There a Doctor?" and chapter 5 "Sometimes Like Pearls" from Black Jack, Vol. 1, the iconic manga series by Osamu Tezuka.

Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption. This leads Black Jack to occasional run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations.

Black Jack charges exorbitant fees for his services, the proceeds from which he uses to fund environmental projects and to aid victims of crime and corrupt capitalists. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. 

Publisher's Weekly calls Black Jack "medical drama (think a manga House) with philosophy...With genre-spanning stories—horror, sci-fi, romance—and Tezuka's signature blend of drama, bathos and extreme broad comedy jammed together on every page, Black Jack is a wild but extravagantly entertaining ride."

Copies of Black Jack, Volume 1 will be available for students after the discussion. 

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Reading time: approximately 15-20 minutes

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Friday, September 22, 2-3:30PM, Old City Presbyterian Apartments (25 N. 4th St.)

Creative Aging brings together Jefferson students and local elders to connect through creative activities including art-making and storytelling. This initiative explores approaches to creative aging, a practice that seeks to imbue late-life with creativity and meaning while countering notions of ageism. This workshop series is led by Cassandra Gunkel, an artist, historian and folklorist, who works in fiber, printmaking and photography. 

No previous art experience required - all are welcome!

Friday, September 22, 12-1PM Hamilton 208/209. Light refreshments provided.

Curated by Program Co-Directors Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community. 

Join us for an informal signing session where we will be practicing basic signs that you can use when communicating with DHH individuals in medical and non-medical settings. 

Thursday, September 21, 12-1PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall Atrium.

Interested in learning more about the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate? Come to the Asano Welcome Fair to learn about our exciting programs and events, from the Jefferson Humanties Forum, Health Humanities Reading Group, and the Anti-Racism in Health Focus!

Light refreshments and giveaways while supplies last. 

This event is not eligible for credit towards the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate.

Wednesday, September 20, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library, 200A. Lunch Provided.

Open to Jefferson students.

Amid the demands and pressures of a health-professional education, self-care can often take a backseat. Journaling allows us to process our thoughts and emotions, gain self-awareness, and support our overall mental wellness.

This program will provide you with the opportunity for guided self-reflection through the art of journaling. It will be divided into 3 parts:

In the introductory meeting (September 20, 2023, Scott Memorial Library 200A), co-facilitated by Katherine Hubbard (MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, SKMC), you will be provided a notebook and equipped with tools and techniques to embark on a personal writing journey.

In-between, you will be emailed with bi-weekly prompts that will help you to process and reflect on your journey into the healthcare field. 

The final meeting (November 28, 2023, Hamilton 201) will culminate with a reflection on the journaling experience. Through guided dialogue, you will have the opportunity to discuss your journey and celebrate together the growth you've experienced.

Participants will be invited to participate in an optional program evaluation. 

Healing through Writing - An Introduction to Journaling and Wellness is designed and co-facilitated by Jenny Chan, SKMC Class of 2026, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Participants must commit to attending both September and November sessions. 

Tuesday, September 19, 5-7:30PM, JAH Atrium. RSVP is required, please register by September 8th!

 5:00PM | Free Food Pop-Up 

6:00PM | Dinner & Refreshments 

6:30PM | Summit & Speaker Presentation 

Join us for a discussion about the connections between food security, food rescue and urban farming, and hear from some of the incredible people tackling it!

Lecturer: Stephen Ritz, Founder, Bronx Green Machine

Guest Speaker: Evan Ehlers, Founder and Executive Director Sharing Excess

Presented by the Office of Campus and Community Engagement with community partner Sharing Excess.

Tuesday, September 19, 5PM, BLSB 107

****** Applications are due on September 8th @ 11:59PM ******

Join us for a dynamic lecture series focused on advancing diversity in healthcare leadership. This program brings together thought-provoking discussions, engaging panels, and interactive sessions that delve into crucial topics shaping the healthcare landscape. From dismantling barriers to fostering effective allyship, this series offers a comprehensive exploration of key issues affecting our current healthcare system. Expand your understanding, connect with peers, and be inspired to drive positive change in healthcare leadership. Each session will run between 1-2 hours and will provide students with unique networking, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities from talented and diverse leaders across the public and private sector.

For questions/concerns, please contact the Diversity Committee co-chairs: Benedicta (boo003@jefferson.edu) or Shreya.

This is not a Jefferson Humanities & Health event, but Asano credit, including the Anti-Racism in Health Focus, is available for this session.

Tuesday, September 19, 12-1PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall, Eakins Lounge. Lunch provided while supplies last.

The Humanities Concert Series (formerly The Dean's Concert Series) returns with the Dalí Quartet!

The Dalí Quartet is acclaimed for bringing Latin American quartet repertoire to an equal standing alongside the Classical and Romantic canon. Tours of its Classical Roots, Latin Soul programming have reached enthusiastic audiences across the U.S., Canada and South America. Its fresh approach has been sought out by distinguished series in New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Seattle, San Juan and countless communities beyond. 

In addition to works of the masters from Haydn to Brahms and Amaya to Piazzolla, the group's adventurous and entertaining programming includes new works for quartet with percussionist Orlando Cotto, and quintets both Latin and Classical with the renowned clarinetist Ricardo Morales, principal clarinetist of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and with acclaimed pianist Vanessa Perez. The Dalí Quartet has an ongoing collaboration with the Van Cliburn Competition’s gold-medal winning pianist Olga Kern, with whom they have toured from coast to coast and recorded the piano quintets of Brahms and Shostakovich released on the Delos label. 

Trained by world-renowned artists, members of the Dalí Quartet are from Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the US, and have degrees from esteemed institutions including the New England Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Juilliard, Indiana University Bloomington, and the Simón Bolivar Conservatory in Caracas, Venezuela. The quartet is based in Philadelphia, PA.

The quartet serves as faculty at West Chester University Wells School of Music as the Quartet in Residence, and is an Iris Collective Resident Ensemble .

Monday, September 18, 5-6:30PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 207

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs. 

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees. 

Special guest: Eddie Dunn 

In 2014, while experiencing homelessness and using drugs in Philadelphia, Eddie Dunn met artist Willie Baronet and was featured in Baronet’s documentary film, Signs of Humanity. Months later, while in recovery, Dunn reconnected with Baronet and shared how his life had changed, ultimately joining Baronet for a series of public events geared toward fighting stigma around homelessness and opioid use disorder. In 2017, the pair teamed up with Jefferson professor of Population Health Rosie Frasso and have worked together on several arts-informed projects designed to shed light on the challenges faced by people in need. Learn more about Eddie's story in the Philadelphia Inquirer here. 

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health. 

Tuesday, September 12, DEC Forum, Lawrence N. Field DEC Center, 4201 Henry Avenue, East Falls Campus, 4-5PM. 

Free and open to all.

Nnedi Okorafor is an international award-winning New York Times-bestselling novelist of science fiction and fantasy for children, young adults, and adults. Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for drawing from African cultures to create captivating stories with unforgettable characters and evocative settings. Her writing explores African history, myth, folklore, and politics, which she weaves together to create bold and ambitious fantastical adventures that examine technology and survival. Her latest novel, Noor (Penguin Random House, 2021), is a rumination on biotechnology, destiny, and humanity set in a near-future Nigeria, and was hailed as “a searing techno-magical indictment of capitalism from one of the strongest voices in fiction” by Kirkus Reviews. Her early novel Shadow Speaker, which will be re-issued in September 2023, unfolds in a future Republic of Niger in an era of tainted technology and mysterious mysticism, and follows a young woman out to avenge her politician father’s death. In addition to her novels, Nnedi is the author of Broken Places & Outer Spaces: Finding Creativity in the Unexpected (2019, Simon & Schuster/TED), an autobiographical account of her powerful journey from star athlete to sudden paralysis to creative awakening; the Africanfuturist comic series Laguardia (winner of the Hugo and Eisner Award); and comics for Marvel, including Black Panther: Long Live the King, Wakanda Forever featuring the Dora Milaje and the Shuri series. Her novel Who Fears Death will be adapted into a television series by author George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and HBO. Nnedi holds a PhD in Literature, as well as master’s degrees in journalism and literature, and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her daughter Anyaugo. 

Forum Scholar:  Willow DiPasquale, D. Litt, Adjunct Instructor, Writing Program, College of Humanities and Sciences 

During 2023-2024, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Futures. Nnedi Okorafor’s visit is co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Philadelphia University Honors Institute at Thomas Jefferson University.

Wednesday, September 13, 12-1PM, BLSB 105. 

Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff. Lunch provided while supplies last.

Nnedi Okorafor is an international award-winning New York Times-bestselling novelist of science fiction and fantasy for children, young adults, and adults. Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for drawing from African cultures to create captivating stories with unforgettable characters and evocative settings. Her writing explores African history, myth, folklore, and politics, which she weaves together to create bold and ambitious fantastical adventures that examine technology and survival. Her latest novel, Noor (Penguin Random House, 2021), is a rumination on biotechnology, destiny, and humanity set in a near-future Nigeria, and was hailed as “a searing techno-magical indictment of capitalism from one of the strongest voices in fiction” by Kirkus Reviews. Her early novel Shadow Speaker, which will be re-issued in September 2023, unfolds in a future Republic of Niger in an era of tainted technology and mysterious mysticism, and follows a young woman out to avenge her politician father’s death. In addition to her novels, Nnedi is the author of Broken Places & Outer Spaces: Finding Creativity in the Unexpected (2019, Simon & Schuster/TED), an autobiographical account of her powerful journey from star athlete to sudden paralysis to creative awakening; the Africanfuturist comic series Laguardia (winner of the Hugo and Eisner Award); and comics for Marvel, including Black Panther: Long Live the King, Wakanda Forever featuring the Dora Milaje and the Shuri series. Her novel Who Fears Death will be adapted into a television series by author George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and HBO. Nnedi holds a PhD in Literature, as well as master’s degrees in journalism and literature, and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her daughter Anyaugo. 

During 2023-2024, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Futures. Nnedi Okorafor’s visit is co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Philadelphia University Honors Institute at Thomas Jefferson University.

Monday, September 11, 5-6:30PM, BLSB 105. Light dinner provided.

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

In the first workshop of this series, we will focus on grounding and centering skills. The group will utilize art, music and movement and each participant will leave with a set of tools and skills that can be applied as needed throughout the school year.

Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC)

Wednesday, September 6, 12-1PM Hamilton 505. Lunch provided.

In this Anti-Racism in Health Focus discussion, learn to define microaggressions and the steps one can take to disarm their effects.

A microaggression is an unintentional and unconscious action that can negatively affect our day-to-day human interactions. They cause real harm to individuals. There is a large amount of evidence that it can be a major factor in the creation of disparities in the healthcare environment that can ultimately lead to patient-care disparities. In this session, we will define microaggressions, its documented effects in medicine, the concept of silent collusion, and the steps one can take to disarm the effects of microaggression.

At the end of the session, the attendees will be able to

  • Define microaggressions.
  • Give two examples of how microaggressions affect the patient care environment.
  • Define “silent collusion.”
  • Name at least three techniques to address a witnessed microaggression.

Facilitator: Bernard L. Lopez, MD, MS, CPE, FACEP, FAAEM, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Thomas Jefferson University.

Tuesday, September 5, 5-7PM, Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 307

Curated by Program Co-Directors Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community. 

This lecture will cover important and helpful terms to know in regard to using American Sign Language (ASL) in the medical setting. You will learn how to better communicate with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in a medical setting, as well as other tools at your disposal beyond ASL.

Presenter Karen Kennedy has been teaching ASL and Deaf culture for DHCC for 37 years, and she also works as a Deaf interpreter. She used to be a staff accountant for PECO/Exelon/Constellation before retiring. She also volunteers frequently for DHCC and other non-profits. She has three children (hearing, called Child of Deaf Adults, CODAs), one granddaughter who is 3 years old, and another grandchild on the way.

This session is open to all students, residents, faculty, and staff at Jefferson. Registration is encouraged, not required. Participants are recommended, but not required, to attend the first and second sessions before attending the fourth and fifth sessions.

August 2023

Tuesday, August 29 12-1PM, Hamilton 224/225. Lunch provided.

Join us for an in-person writing workshop to enhance your Asano Humanities Portfolio reflections.

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional. 

Led by Eileen Cunniffe, MS, Assistant Director for Writing Services in the Office of Academic and Career Success. 

Wednesday August 23rd, 4-5PM, Connelly Auditorium, Hamilton Building 

Speaker: Christopher Haines, MD, MA, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University 

Christopher Haines, MD, M. is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Haines has directed his department’s inpatient hospital service for the past 15 years and led his department’s inpatient response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He lives in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia with his wife January, their children Chloe, Charlie, Liam, Julian, and Nora, and their labradoodle Archie. 

Wednesday, August 23, 12-1PM, BLSB 101.

Join Gold Humanism Honor Society for our first Empathy M&M of the year! We'll be going over 2 patient cases and reflecting on the topic "Managing Emotions in Medicine". Lunch (Primo Hoagies) will be provided. 

Wednesday, August 9, 5-7PM, BLSB 105

Curated by Program Co-Directors Benedicta Olonilua, SKMC '26 and Natalie Perlov, SKMC '25, the DEAFMed series seeks to educate health professions students about Deaf culture & history and how to work with the Deaf community.

This lecture is a "crash course" on communicating with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States. You will learn about Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws, communication tips and strategies (including how you can use the technology you already have at your fingertips to better communicate), as well as how to work with a sign language interpreter. 

Presenters: Tanya Sturgis (Education Manager, DHCC) and Neil McDevitt (Executive Director, DHCC)

Tanya Sturgis is the Education Manager for the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC) in Swarthmore, PA. Tanya is responsible for coordinating ASL classes, sensitivity training programs, and other educational ventures. Before joining DHCC, Tanya worked for Gallaudet University as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor. She currently lives in the King of Prussia area with her partner, 2 dogs, and 6 cats.

Neil McDevitt is the Executive Director for the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre in Swarthmore, PA. DHCC is the largest provider of interpreting services in the Philadelphia region and is also a key provider of advocacy services for communication access for the deaf community in the area as well. Neil joins DHCC after assignments at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Telecommunications for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Inc (TDI), and The Leadership Foundry.

Neil is also the Mayor for North Wales Borough in Suburban Philadelphia. In this role, Neil oversees the police department of the Borough and is the elected official who takes charge during the time of an emergency. In Pennsylvania, although the Mayor does not generally vote on legislative matters (except in a tie), they are intensively involved in the activities of Borough Council. He is the first Deaf person to be directly elected to this office in the country.He graduated from Gallaudet University in 1996 with a degree in Government. 

He lives in the Borough with his wife, two children, a lizard, and two dogs. As a former volunteer firefighter in suburban Philadelphia, McDevitt was one of a handful of emergency responders in the country who are also profoundly deaf.

This session is open to all students, residents, faculty, and staff at Jefferson. Registration is encouraged, not required. Participants are recommended, but not required, to attend the first and second sessions before attending the fourth and fifth sessions.

July 2023

Wednesday, July 26, 12-1PM Online via Zoom.

Poetry can provide comfort and boost mood during periods of stress, trauma and grief. Its powerful combination of words, metaphor and meter help us better express ourselves and make sense of the world and our place in it.  

No writing experience is required.Facilitated by Yolanda Wisher and Trapeta B. Mayson, former Philadelphia Poet Laureates.

June 2023

Wednesday, June 28, 12-1PM, BLSB Room 105/107. Lunch provided.

Join us IN PERSON at Bluemle Room 105/107 for this Rounds, where healthcare workers from across Jefferson enterprise will talk about memorable "firsts" in their careers and reflect on lessons learned.  A light lunch will be served.  We will be using zoom, but simply for registration, this will not be a hybrid event.  We hope you can join us in person.

If you’ve registered and cannot attend in person, please let lisa.capparella@jefferson.edu or Deidre.Geroni@jefferson.edu know so we can have an accurate count as lunch which will be served in June!

Panelists Include:

  • Melissa Lazar, MD
  • Lawrence Kenyon, MD
  • Chantel Venkataraman, MD 

Tuesday, June 27 5-6:15PM, Online via Zoom

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all five sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75-minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 35-minute presentation by the facilitator, followed by a 20-minute discussion. The course is open to medical students, nursing students, and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

The Human Side of Healthcare Series Overview

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:15 p.m., June 6, June 8, 13, 15 & 27, Online via Zoom

Facilitated by Donald M. Friedman, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.

Tuesday, June 27 – Medicine as Soul Work

How can medicine be soulful? How can what we do as healthcare professionals help us find meaning in our lives?

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Thursday, June 15, 5-6:15 PM, Online via Zoom.

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all five sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75-minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 35-minute presentation by the facilitator, followed by a 20-minute discussion. The course is open to medical students, nursing students, and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

The Human Side of Healthcare Series Overview

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:15 p.m., June 6, June 8, 13, 15 & 27, Online via Zoom

Facilitated by Donald M. Friedman, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.

• Thursday, June 15 – Perfectionism, Shame, and the Inner Critic

How do these factors, so rampant in healthcare, block us from our authentic selves, healthy achievement, and sustained growth? What is a potentially effective way of dealing with your inner critic?

Tuesday, June 13, 5-6:15PM, Online via Zoom.

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all five sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75-minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 35-minute presentation by the facilitator, followed by a 20-minute discussion. The course is open to medical students, nursing students, and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

The Human Side of Healthcare Series Overview

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:15 p.m., June 6, June 8, 13, 15 & 27, Online via Zoom

Facilitated by Donald M. Friedman, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.

• Tuesday, June 13– Characteristics of Effective Practitioners and a Discussion of the Differences Between Curing and Healing

What approaches to patient interactions can be healing? How do we as healthcare providers establish meaningful relationships with patients, no matter what our field is. What role does skillful listening play in reaching this goal?

Thursday, June 8, 5-6:15PM, Online via Zoom.

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all five sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75-minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 35-minute presentation by the facilitator, followed by a 20-minute discussion. The course is open to medical students, nursing students, and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

• Thursday, June 8 – Spirituality and Healthcare

Why is spirituality an important part of patient care? How do you take a spiritual history?

Facilitated by Donald M. Friedman, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.

 

Thursday, June 8 12-12:45 PM, Online via Zoom.

In recognition of Pride Month, the SCC is offering a Rainbow Identity Art Project.

An art based identity project that will provide an opportunity to explore your identity while celebrating Pride Month. Allies are invited to attend and express how to provide support and inclusion.

Materials Needed:

  • Cardboard (cereal, packing box)
  • Paint, markers
  • Magazine cutouts, photos, messages that represent your identity
  • Glue, tape

Tuesday, June 6, 5-6:15PM, Online via Zoom.

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all five sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75-minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 35-minute presentation by the facilitator, followed by a 20-minute discussion. The course is open to medical students, nursing students, and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

Facilitated by Donald M. Friedman, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University.

• Tuesday, June 6 – Mindful Self-Compassion

What is it? How do you practice it? What are its benefits? Why do people find it so difficult to be kind to themselves?

2022 - 2023: Repair

May 2023

Wednesday, May 24, 12-1PM, Online via Zoom.

Please join us for a panel of Jefferson patients who will share how peer support helped them navigate their illnesses by connecting with people who understood their experiences firsthand. 

Panelists: Felicia Johnson, Ronald Sapp, Bobby Deo.

April 2023

Wednesday, April 26, 12-1PM. Online via Zoom.

Join us for a case based discussion on the emotional impact of dealing with complex medical management.

Panelists: Bonnie Robertson, RN, Clinical Practice Leader Jay Barry, BCCi, M. Div. Staff Chaplain, JMH Ross Summer, MD, Professor, Pulmonary Medicine Joanne Flaville, BSN, Case Manager.

Tuesday, April 25, 5:30-6:30 P.M., Jefferson Alumni Hall Atrium. Refreshments provided.

Join us for our culminating event to celebrate this year of the humanities! We will congratulate those who earned the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate and the contributors and editors of Inside Out, Jefferson’s student-run arts & literary journal. Hear students share excerpts of their written and artistic works from Inside Out’s newly-minted edition! We hope you come out for this in-person celebration to meet your fellow humanities peers, decompress, snack, and wrap up the year. 

Thursday, April 20, 4:30-5:30 P.M.. Ronson Health Science Center, Room 124 (for Jefferson affiliated community) and online via Zoom. 

The event is free, but registration is required.

Students, alumni, and faculty from Thomas Jefferson University's art therapy concentration share their artwork in this window into the art of art therapists. Students are studying within the unique CACREP-accredited Community and Trauma Counseling program, and graduate ready for dual credentialing in counseling and art therapy. Come join us and meet the artists behind the work at our art opening on April 20th, 2023, at 4:30 PM.

Monday, April 17, 5-6:30 P.M., BLSB 105. Dinner provided.

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Nature-Based Wellness

In this in-person workshop, participants will use art, sound, movement, and mindfulness practices to anchor in our connection to the natural world. Weather permitting, we may do some of these exercises outdoors. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. Students who register and don't show up may not be able to register for future Jefferson Humanities & Health events.

Tuesday, April 11, 12-1 P.M., Jefferson Alumni Hall Eakins Lounge.

The Jefferson Chamber Orchestra is composed of students, faculty and staff of TJU and TJUH. The group was created to enable Jefferson community members to play chamber music for both public and private audiences and has performed for countless university events, wedding, receptions and ceremonies.

March 2023

Thursday, March 30, College Building, Foerderer Auditorium, 4-5 P.M.

Wednesday, March 29, 4-5p.m., BLSB 101. Reception to follow.

Join us for the 3rd Dr. Yoshihisa Asano Lecture for Medical Education with the Japan Center for Health Professions Education and Research. 

Speakers:

Yoshihisa Asano, PhD, DPH, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Noguchi Medical Research Institute 

Kiyoshi Sano, MD, FAAFP, MACEP, President, Noguchi Medical Research Institute, US, Professor, Kochi Medical School, Department of Family Medicine 

RSVP by Wednesday, March 22 at attend.jefferson.edu/AsanoLecture 

Friday, March 24 - Sunday, March 26, March 24 optional in-person social events, March 25 in-person sessions Hamilton Building, March 26 virtual team presentations.

Come meet other like-minded people who want to solve problems in healthcare. Open to students from ALL schools and is NOT limited to GHHS members. No prior experience needed!

  • Learn and practice creative approaches to remove barriers to humanistic care for underserved patients
  • Teams will be presented with a healthcare challenge (it's a secret until the event, in true hackathon style!) relevant to underserved patients throughout the nation
  • Attend three 15-minute workshops to brainstorm with mentors who are leaders in healthcare design. Session topics will include Marketing A Healthcare Proposal, Legal Considerations in Health Design, and more!
  • FREE breakfast, lunch, snacks, and gift card raffles!
  • Winning teams will receive cash prizes of $750 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place!
  • Event capped at 100 attendees!
  • Don't have a team? No worries, you can register as an individual and be placed with others looking to work with new friends. Let's collaborate!

***Sponsored by the Sidney Kimmel Medical College Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and made possible with a grant from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation**

Friday, March 24, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library 200A. Lunch provided.

Reading: Chapter 8, Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa

This small-group discussion will be based on Chapter 8 of Linda Villarosa’s book which focuses on current and emerging solutions that address structural racism/discrimination within healthcare settings. Barriers, limitations, and deficiencies that impede institutional solutions will also be discussed.

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Lecturer, Jefferson College of Population Health 

Length and time: 32 pages, approximately 55 minutes of reading.

Copies of Under the Skin will be available for students to take with them after the discussion.

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text. To access the reading, participants must visit the Anti- Racism in Health Focus module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, March 22, 5-6p.m., Kanbar Performance Space, East Falls campus, 4201 Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144. Virtual and in-person. Register and a link will be emailed to you prior to the event. In-person attendees will receive free snacks and a chance to win prizes!

In-person attendees will receive free snacks and a chance to win prizes!When prototyping, it doesn’t matter what you (or anyone else) thinks is possible, only what you can make possible in that moment. While we live in a world of limitless wonder and possibility, our unconscious biases often stricture us— preventing us from seeing potential hiding in plain view. Working with one’s own hands quickly unravels the myths of the biases. 

For the past decade, Kelli Anderson has used paper engineering to seek out incredible possibilities hiding in plain view in our world and it has completely upended how she thinks about craft vs tech. Even the most ubiquitous, low-tech materials behave structurally and can reveal amazing facets of our reality. Humble paper can act as a direct interface on sound, light, and time; making these abstractions tangible and accessible. This is because these radically minimalist structures still behave in concert with the physical and social forces which structure our world. With no hidden parts, a piece of paper can act as a direct interface on sound, light, and time; making these abstractions tangible and accessible, in a way that more black-box tech obscures. 

This talk will focus on recent paper engineering experience and work-in-progress—in particular, Alphabet in Motion: A Pop-up Book for Typophiles, an interactive pop-up book about sound, and Paper as Interface. I will also discuss This Book is a Planetarium (which contains a working planetarium) and This Book is a Camera (which contains a working camera.) 

Kelli Anderson is an artist, designer, animator, and tinkerer who pushes the limits of ordinary materials to seek out possibilities hidden in plain view. Her books and projects have included a pop-up paper planetarium, a book that transforms into a pinhole camera, a working paper record player, and techniques for misusing the RISO to create animations. Intentionally lo-fi, she believes that humble materials can provide entry into the endless, tunneling complexity of our world, making those wonders accessible on a multi-sensory, rich, human level. These projects confront our sense of possibility, which has been artificially-circumscribed by the dominance and black-boxness of tech. She is currently completing writing Alphabet in Motion, an interactive book on the relationship between typography and technology with Letterform Archive. 

Sponsored by Thomas Jefferson University's Creativity Core Curriculum. Open to the Jefferson community. Any questions can be directed to Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel— Maribeth.kradel-weitzel@jefferson.edu )

Access attendence form for Asano credit.

*This week's Student Life Monday Message listed this event as eligible for the Anti-Racism in Health Focus. This was an error, and this event is not eligible for the Anti-Racism in Health Focus.

Wednesday, March 22, 12-1p.m. Online via Zoom.

Join us for an interactive panel discussion of Women in Leadership to recognize and celebrate Women's History Month

Panelists to include:

*Claudia Thomas-Nembhard, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager of Ambulatory Care & Outpatient Infusion Center/Department of Medical Oncology

*Kelly Austin, Assistant Vice President of Development/Medicine/Surgery: Office of Institutional Advancement

*Dr. Catriona Harrop M.D.,FACP, SFHM, SVP Jefferson Medical Group/Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

* Eileen Winter, Lead Social Worker, Inpatient Maternity Social Worker/NICU

Access the attendance form for Asano credit.

Tuesday, March 21, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library Room 200A

Join us for a discussion of excerpts from The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde and The Undying by Anne Boyer, two different narratives by women about their experiences of breast cancer.

Reading: Pages 48-57 from Chapter 3 of The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde and 90-100 and 224-242 of The Undying by Anne Boyer. The entirety of chapter 3 from The Cancer Journals is provided if you wish to read the entire chapter.

First published over forty years ago, The Cancer Journals is a startling, powerful account of Audre Lorde’s experience with breast cancer and mastectomy. Long before narratives explored the silences around illness and women’s pain, Lorde questioned the rules of conformity for women’s body images and supported the need to confront physical loss not hidden by prosthesis. Living as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Lorde heals and re-envisions herself on her own terms and offers her voice, grief, resistance, and courage to those dealing with their own diagnosis. 

A week after her forty-first birthday, the acclaimed poet Anne Boyer was diagnosed with highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. For a single mother living paycheck to paycheck who had always been the caregiver rather than the one needing care, the catastrophic illness was both a crisis and an initiation into new ideas about mortality and the gendered politics of illness. 

A twenty-first-century Illness as Metaphor, as well as a harrowing memoir of survival, The Undying by Anne Boyer explores the experience of illness as mediated by digital screens, weaving in ancient Roman dream diarists, cancer hoaxers and fetishists, cancer vloggers, corporate lies, John Donne, pro-pain ”dolorists,” the ecological costs of chemotherapy, and the many little murders of capitalism. It excoriates the pharmaceutical industry and the bland hypocrisies of ”pink ribbon culture” while also diving into the long literary line of women writing about their own illnesses and ongoing deaths: Audre Lorde, Kathy Acker, Susan Sontag, and others.

Time: 20 minutes for The Undying and 20 minutes for The Cancer Journals. Approximately 40 minutes of reading.

Copies of The Cancer Journals and The Undying will be available for students after the discussion. Lunch will be provided.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Monday, March 20, 7-8 p.m., St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 19 South 10th Street Philadelphia. Light refreshments provided.

Join us for a reading of poems by the students and staff enrolled in Jefferson Humanities and Health’s Writing Wellness: A Healing Verse Poetry Workshop, and special guests. Hosted by Trapeta B. Mayson and Yolanda Wisher. 

Poetry, through its expression of words and feelings, can have a highly healing effect. Reading and writing poetry engages our senses along with our emotions. Exploring emotions and expressing core feelings in writing leads to improvements in a wide range of health outcomes, including relieving stress and supporting overall mental wellness. 

Led by Jefferson Humanities and Health 2023 Artists-in-Residence, poets Trapeta B. Mayson and Yolanda Wisher, both former Philadelphia Poets Laureate, Writing Wellness, is a guided and generative poetry workshop, centering poetry as a tool to support healing. Participants have been encouraged to access their inner voices, experiences, and memories to write poems, and cultivate ways to process, reflect on, and reframe their experiences as health care practitioners. 

Accessibility: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is a historic building and is accessible via an entry of five steps with a handrail that leads to a landing area and then one additional step to enter the building. Once in the building, all amenities, including the restrooms, are on the first floor. This is a secular event and people of all faiths are welcome.

 

Friday, March 17, 12-1p.m., Hamilton 224/225. Lunch provided.

Reading: Chapter 4,  Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa

This small-group discussion will be based on Chapter 4 of Linda Villarosa’s book which focuses on factors of interpersonal and structural racism/discrimination at the healthcare system level which contribute to adverse experiences and birth outcomes for persons racialized as Black. Discussion will also touch on the intersection of race, class, and sex/gender identity for birthing people.

Copies of Under the Skin will be available for students to take with them after the discussion.

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Lecturer, Jefferson College of Population Health 

Open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the selected reading.

Access the Reading:

To access the reading, participants must visit the Anti- Racism in Health Focus module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Thursday, March 16, 5-7PM, Hamilton 208/209. Light dinner provided. Open to Jefferson students.

Everyone needs some down time but not the guilt that comes when we think we are not being productive. Why not relax and be productive by joining us for some yarn work??

Spend some time with Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, Dr. Abigail Kay and Dr. Jenna Hagerty learning how to knit or crochet; or if you are already skilled come and share your talent.

Each student will get a kit including yarn, hooks or needles (depending on your chosen craft), some basic patterns, and other surprises! 

Students will work on creating scarves that they can keep for themselves, gift to a loved one, or donate to JeffHope.

Facilitators:

Dr. Jenna Hagerty, Assistant Professor, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Dr. Abigail Kay, MA, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs & Undergraduate Medical Education, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Anatomy Education Division, Department of Medical Education, JeffMD Anatomy Thread Director, JeffMD Cardiopulmonary Block Co-Director, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Questions? Please contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Office of Student Affairs, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Tuesday, March 14, 12-1PM, Hamilton 224/225.  Lunch provided.

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional. 

Led by Eileen Cunniffe, MS, Assistant Director for Writing Services in the Office of Academic and Career Success.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, March 15, 4-5:30 p.m., Scott Memorial Library 200A. Refreshments provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs. Refreshments provided.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, well-being and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. 

Nora Dougherty has been a hematology medical technologist and, later, a phlebotomist at Jefferson Health. Nora will speak about her experience as the care partner of her husband Bill, who was diagnosed with dementia and passed away in 2020. Bill worked as a pharmacist for fifty-three years, the last thirty as a manager of Outpatient Pharmacies at Jefferson Health. Married in 1964, Nora and Bill have four sons, three grandsons, and one granddaughter together. Nora and Bill participated in Tangles in Time, an original Theater of Witness performance created and performed by people living with dementia, care partners and health professionals, which was co-produced by Thomas Jefferson University in 2019. 

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Questions? Please contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Office of Student Affairs, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Please note: The following community event is organized by Inis Nua Theatre Company and sponsored by Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Monday, March 13, 7 p.m. 

The Proscenium Theater at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street (off Spruce Street between 15th and 16th Streets) 

Free and open to Jefferson students, faculty, staff and the public. 

Inis Nua Theatre Company presents  "How to Keep an Alien" by Sonya Kelly. This play reading is directed by Charlotte Northeast. 

Based on the playwright’s own experiences, a woman navigates her heart and immigration services in an effort to find her true calling and bring the love of her life across the border. Hilariously funny and unsparing, this play examines the barriers of bureaucracy and the arbitrary nature of borders.

Monday, March 13, 5-6PM, Online via Zoom

Coping with Stress

In this virtual, art-based workshop, participants will engage in a variety of practices designed to reduce stress. Learn how to identify the physical and emotional symptoms of stress and how to move through them to a more grounded and relaxed state. Facilitated by Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. Students who register and don't show up may not be able to register for future Jefferson Humanities & Health events.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Wednesday, March 8, 5-7:30 PM, Paul J. Gutman Library, East Falls Campus, Media Classroom, 4201 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144. In-person and virtual.

Join Dr. Jane Caputi of the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Florida Atlantic University, for a discussion on intersectional feminism. A reception will follow the presentation.

In this talk, Dr. Caputi will explain intersectional feminism theory and explore its evolution from 19th-century Black feminist thought through today. Dr. Caputi will share examples of intersectional analysis and activism and discuss the current attack on intersectionality in states like Florida, where legislators are seeking to make it illegal to teach.

Intersectionality is the idea that people have multiple identity markers (race, gender, age, etc.) and that discriminations like racism, sexism, and ageism overlap and exacerbate inequalities. Intersectional feminism explores how women’s overlapping identity markers impact how they experience sexism. For example, while all women are subject to the wage gap, some are affected even more harshly due to their race, face additional discrimination due to their sexual orientation, etc.

Tuesday, March 7, 4-5 p.m., JAH Eakins Lounge. Reception to follow.

Join Thomas Jefferson University President, Dr. Mark Tykocinski in conversation with Dr. Neel Shah, Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic., the world's largest virtual clinic and first "unicorn" technology company for women's and family health. He is also a Visiting Scientist at Harvard Medical School where he previously served as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive biology. 

As a physician-scientist, Dr. Shah has written landmark academic papers on maternal health and health care policy, and contributed to four books, including as senior author of Understanding Value-Based Healthcare(McGraw-Hill), which industry leaders have called "an instant classic" and "a masterful primer for all clinicians." He is listed among the "40 smartest people in health care" by the Becker's Hospital Review.

As a public advocate, Dr. Shah's work to build trustworthy health care systems has earned numerous honors, including the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Humanitarian of the Year Award from the March of Dimes. He is featured in the films Aftershock, which won the Special Jury Prize for Impact at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and The Color of Care from the Smithsonian Channel and Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey. Dr. Shah founded the nonprofits Costs of Care and March for Moms, as well as the Delivery Decisions Initiative at Ariadne Labs, a research and social impact program of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Dr. Shah currently serves on the advisory board of the National Institutes of Health, Office of Women's Health Research

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
Program Agenda

  • Introductory Remarks by Mark L. Tykocinski MD, President, Thomas Jefferson University
  • Recognition of Student Recipients of the Alfred P. Spivack MD Scholarship
  • Keynote Speaker: Neel Shah, MD, MPP, FACOG

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Reception with light snacks and refreshments

Presented by Jefferson Innovation.

Thursday, March 2, 5-6:30 PM, Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall. Dinner provided.

How do you know when someone is confused by what you've just said? How do you tell when someone is angry? How do you know when YOU are confused or angry? Albert Mehrabian, a researcher of body language, first broke down the components of a face-to-face conversation and found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. Over 90% of how you communicate has nothing to do with what you say.

In current cultures we tend to focus a lot on the words that we say, the facts we know, the arguments we've cultivated. This workshop harnesses our attention to address the other 90% -- how can you know more about the non-intellectual, qualitative impact you're having on someone else, and how can you make adjustments to the ways you communicate non-verbally to deepen trust, foster confidence, invite more disclosure, and even enjoy connecting with others, even over a brief time.

At the end of the session, the attendees will be able to

  • Identify common emotional states and how they appear on various bodies.
  • Witness and analyze various non-verbal signals (including posture, gesture, vocal tension) to determine what stories they may tell
  • Gain awareness of what emotional states may exist in their bodies and how to name and identify them
  • Name at least three techniques to adjust non-verbal communication to increase desired outcomes.

Facilitator: Mark Kennedy, MFA, Education Programs Administrator at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, MFA from University of the Arts'/Pig Iron Theatre Company in Devised Performance, former Experience Consulting Creative Producer at Museum Hack.

 

Thursday, March 2, 12-1PM, JAH 407. Lunch provided.

Join us for a conversation with Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole on policy, activism, public advocacy, and the role students can take on in addressing inequities in health care.

Speaker: Cheryl Bettigole, MD, MP., Health Commissioner

Dr. Cheryl Bettigole is the Health Commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. She is a board certified family physician and has previously served as the Director of the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention for PDPH, and as Chief Medical Officer of Complete Care Health Network, a federally qualified community/migrant health center in southern New Jersey, and as a Family Physician and Clinical Director with Philadelphia’s City Health Centers, where she saw patients for more than 12 years.  She is also a Past-President of the National Physicians Alliance (now part of Doctors for America), where she helped develop physician teams focused on gun violence prevention and drug safety and pricing, while continuing the organization’s work on access to high quality affordable health care. Her current work focuses on achieving health justice through policy, systems, and environmental approaches to the major drivers of poor health in Philadelphia.  

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Student Affairs, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

February 2023

Monday, February 27, 5-6:30 p.m., Hamilton Building, 4th Floor. Food provided.

Jefferson Psychiatric Society and Studnet National Medical Association will be hosting a physicians' panel to discuss Mental Health and Stigma, spotlighting physicians from underrepresented backgrounds. The event will include perspectives from Dr. Sarah Tabi, Dr. Catharyn Turner, and Dr. Ronald Hall. Topics of discussion will include: 

  • Discussion about their path to medicine 

  • The hardships they have faced mentally and how they overcame it 

  • Any barriers when it came to seeking help (personal or systemic)

Towards the end of the discussion, we will open up the floor for questions from the audience. The event will take place on 02/27/23 at 5 pm on Hamilton 4th floor. Food will be provided!

For any questions, please contact: 

Sydney Macon, JPS President, smm151@students.jefferson.edu

or

Chioma Nwanonyiri, SNMA Co-president , cxn203@students.jefferson.edu

Access attendance survey for Asano participation here.

Friday, February 24, 12-2p.m., Jefferson Alumni Hall Lobby

At this event, we will be welcoming the Jefferson Community to explore different displays of Black/African American fashion, film, and notable figures in medicine.

Guests should feel free to look around and learn why we celebrate Black History Month while enjoying our selection of Caribbean and African dishes. The event also includes a photo booth where guests will have a chance to take fun photos with influential BIPOC figures, so we encourage everyone to bring their friends! 

If the food and displays are not enticing enough, we will also be raffling off a care package of goods from our local black-owned businesses! Raffle tickets and other gifts will be given to Jefferson students at each tabling display.

The BHM event will be co-hosted by SNMA, OSLE, and OCCE.

For any questions about the event, please contact: 

Chioma Nwanonyiri, SNMA Co-President, cxn203@students.jefferson.edu

or 

Andrees Rivers, Associate Director of Student Life and Engagement, axr986@jefferson.edu

Access the attendance survey for Asano participation credit here.

Wednesday, February 22, 12-1p.m., online via Zoom

Join us for an interactive discussion on biases directed at health care workers and panelists will share personal stories about how a variety of biases have impacted them as employees and learners. 

Some Panelists to include:

Nicole Morris MSW Intern

Angel Bogan RN, BSN

Lindsay Wilde, MD

 

Tuesday, February 21, 6-7:30 p.m. EST, Online via Zoom

In this talk, disabled dancer and choreographer Alice Sheppard considers the dynamic relationships of movement, architecture, and public space. Sheppard learned her craft partly in a dance studio, and partly on the street interacting with people and the built environment. She quickly learned that architecture and movement fed each other in challenging ways, especially when it came to her lived experience as a Black disabled queer woman. Carving through the walls of so-called accessible buildings and contouring around the movements of well-established dance forms, Sheppard surfaces her joy in disabled movement and pleasure in the unexpected architectures of body, building, and space. 

ALICE SHEPPARD (she/her/hers) is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, and founder of the disability arts ensemble Kinetic Light. She studied ballet and modern dance with Kitty Lunn and started her career performing with Infinity Dance Theater and AXIS Dance Company. In 2016, Alice founded Kinetic Light, a disability arts ensemble featuring herself, Laurel Lawson, Michael Maag, and Wired artist Jerron Herman. Working in the disciplines of art, technology, design, and dance, Kinetic Light creates, performs, and teaches at the nexus of access, queerness, disability, dance, and race. In the company’s work, intersectional disability is an aesthetic, a culture, and an essential element of artistry. In addition to performance and choreography, Sheppard is a consultant and speaker who has lectured on topics related to disability arts, race, design, and dance. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, academic journals, and the anthology Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong. She is delighted to have been recognized with a Bessie and as United States Artists, Creative Capital grantee, and Disability Futures Fellow.

Moderator: Elizabeth Guffey, PhD, Professor of Art History, Purchase College, State University of New York.

Access: This talk will consist of a 45-minute presentation followed by a discussion and Q&A. Audience members will be asked to submit questions in the chat. This event will be CART captioned and American Sign Language interpreted. Attendees will receive a Zoom link invitation 48 hours before the event.

About the Jefferson Humanities Forum

Each academic year, Jefferson Humanities & Health explores a thought-provoking theme from a wide range of perspectives, inviting reflection and action around how we improve lives. During 2022-2023, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Repair.

This event is co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Jefferson College of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Student Affairs, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Monday, February 20, 5-6p.m., Online via Zoom

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Self-Care Medley [Music & Writing Edition]

In order to effectively care for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This virtual workshop will introduce you to a variety of music-based experiences designed to promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. Students who register and don't show up may not be able to register for future Jefferson Humanities & Health events.

Wednesday, February 15, 4-5:30p.m., JAH 207. Refreshments provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special Guest: Carol Campbell

"When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade" and no one has managed to do that better than, Ms. Carol Campbell. As she explains, she is currently in her 55th year at the University of Life, and she has acquired a wealth of experiences that she is willing to share with her audiences. She is quick to point out that her faith in God, her friends, and her two wonderful children have given her strength over years to face and conquer difficult challenges.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Carol migrated to the States in the early 90's. She started out in the Nursing Home/Personal Care industry as a cook and worked her way up to become an administrator. However, a series of unfortunate events left her a single mother of two with no means of financial support. Instead of crawling under a rock, which would have been extremely easy in that moment, she started cleaning houses, which she has now developed into a business. Her experiences with the health and social system in her new country were beyond challenging, but she is still smiling and always there to help others navigate the barriers, challenges, and overt discrimination they may face as they try to live their healthiest lives. 

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Questions? Please contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Office of Student Affairs, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Friday, February 10, 9-10:15a.m. or 10:30- 11:45 a.m., Hamilton Building, Second Floor

About Team Care Planning

Many factors have led to a higher mortality rate for Black women during childbirth, including provider dismissiveness of Black women’s health concerns and a higher risk for the use of unnecessary interventions (Adams & Thomas, 2017; Bond, et al., 2021; Maril, 2022; Taylor, 2020; Tyler, 2022). This new Team Care Planning case simulates a family meeting to discuss a birthing plan for a Black patient recently diagnosed with preeclampsia. After a previous traumatic birth experience, both the patient and her partner (played by standardized patients) are hesitant about giving birth in a hospital setting. Students must consider both health risks and patient concerns in working with team members to simulate development of a plan. 

Goals are that health professions students will:

  1. Recognize and value the distinct role of each care team member
  2. Demonstrate clear client-centered communication in an interprofessional care team
  3. Participate in collaborative decision-making within a team
  4. Create a relevant shared care plan that reflects goals and priorities for the patient and family
  5. Recognize structural racism and biases in Black maternal healthcare

Presented by the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education.

Email jcipesp@jefferson.edu to participate!

Thursday, February 9, 5-7p.m., Hamilton 224/225

Everyone needs some down time but not the guilt that comes when we think we are not being productive. Why not relax and be productive by joining us for some yarn work??

Spend some time with Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, Dr. Abigail Kay and Dr. Jenna Hagerty learning how to knit or crochet; or if you are already skilled come and share your talent.

Each student will get a kit including yarn, hooks or needles (depending on your chosen craft), some basic patterns, and other surprises! 

Students will work on creating scarves that they can keep for themselves, gift to a loved one, or donate to JeffHope.

A light dinner will be provided.

Facilitators:

Dr. Jenna Hagerty, Assistant Professor, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Dr. Abigail Kay, MA, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs & Undergraduate Medical Education, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Dr. Elizabeth Spudich, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Anatomy Education Division, Department of Medical Education, JeffMD Anatomy Thread Director, JeffMD Cardiopulmonary Block Co-Director, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Questions? Please contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, Office of Student Affairs, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Wednesday, February 8, 12-1p.m., Scott Memorial Library, Room 200A.

Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion of excerpts from That Time I Got Cancer: A Love Story, with author Jim Zervanos.

Reading: Chapters 2, 7, and 8 of That Time I Got Cancer: A Love Story by Jim Zervanos

Time: Approximately 30 minutes of reading.

One minute Jim Zervanos was carrying his one-year-old boy to a baseball game; the next, he was in the ER, where for days he lay in limbo, being strangled from the inside. Teams of the best doctors were stumped by his worsening condition, before telling him there was nothing they could do.

That Time I Got Cancer: A Love Story is about experiencing joy even in desperate times. It’s about the relationships that anchor us, even as they must be entirely redefined. At forty-one, married, with a young son, Jim said goodbye to his family. When a brilliant new surgeon performed a radical operation, Jim was diagnosed with lymphoma, which led to chemotherapy and an uncertain road to recovery. Five years would pass before Jim began to understand what he had endured. Through mortality and back to life, this is the inspiring journey of a man awakened to the full experience of being alive, and being present for it all.

Author Zervanos recently took place in Grand Rounds at both University of Pennsylvania and Temple University's medical schools and is excited to join the discussion via Zoom to answer questions about the book, writing memoir, and how he found some psychological healing through writing this medical narrative.

Copies of That Time I Got Cancer: A Love Story will be available for attendees after the discussion. 

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Friday, February 3, 6-7:30 p.m., Connelly Auditorium, Hamilton Building

This is not a Jefferson Humanities and Health sponsored event.

The Raft Debate is an intellectual and humorous play on the following scenario: a boat crashes and everyone boards a raft. In the raft, you have room for one person. Among the remaining, however, stand three physicians. They each quickly prepare to explain why they are the most qualified and deserving of that last spot on the raft. Their argument is based on why their specific specialty is the most valuable to humanity. Nearby, the devil's advocate, sees this incident and plans to stop the raft from preserving any of the three physicians.

For this debate, physicians prepare a 5-10 minute presentation to defend their case. Then the devil's advocate will give their presentation last and once they have finished all will have a few minutes of rebuttal to help defend themselves. The audience will then vote on their favorite contestant and the winner will receive the coveted Raft Debate Trophy.

Speakers:

Dr. Keira Chism, Psychiatry

Dr. Alan Kubey, Internal Medicine

Dr. Patrick Teefey, OB/Gyn

Dr. Tony Zhang, Emergency Medicine

January 2023

Tuesday, January 31, 5:30-7 p.m., Connelly Auditorium, Dorrance H. Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust Street

Please join us for light snacks and refreshments prior to the event, and a booksigning and reception afterward.

Britt Wray’s hopeful new talk demonstrates the emotional and existential effects of living in a warming world—and how we can get through them together. Although anxieties surrounding the climate crisis can cause us to burn out, give up, and question deeply personal decisions like whether to have children, working through these anxieties can unlock a deep capacity to care for and act on climate issues. 

We need to look at the climate crisis as a whole—not just the political or technological issues, but the mental health consequences as well. These effects can be severe, even leading people affected by climate events to experience PTSD and a loss of identity. To combat this, Britt presents practical tips and strategies for healthily and productively dealing with our emotions, living with climate trauma, and strengthening our communities so we can combat climate change together.

Science storyteller Britt Wray, PhD, is the author of the books Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis (2022, Knopf-Random House) and Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics and Risks of De-Extinction (published in 2017 by Greystone Books in partnership with The David Suzuki Institute). She has been a contributing host on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s national science TV show The Nature of Things, co-host of the BBC podcast Tomorrow’s World and guest host of Canada’s national radio show CBC Quirks and Quarks. Over the last decade, Wray has produced narrative science documentaries for outlets such as BBC Radio 4, CBC Radio 1, NPR, and Love and Radio. Wray holds degrees in biology and media arts as well as a PhD in Science Communication (with a focus on synthetic biology) from the University of Copenhagen. Wray was a 2019 TED Resident, a 2019 Logan Nonfiction Fellow at the Carey Institute for Global Good, and has been a Visiting Scholar at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Institute for Journalism. She is currently a Human and Planetary Health Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University in the Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Forum Scholar: Tom Schrand, Ph.D, Associate Dean for General Education, Professor of History, College of Humanities and Sciences.

About the Jefferson Humanities Forum

Each academic year, Jefferson Humanities & Health explores a thought-provoking theme from a wide range of perspectives, inviting reflection and action around how we improve lives. During 2022-2023, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Repair.

This event is co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Jefferson College of Humanities & Sciences as part of their Dietrich V. Asten Lecture Series, an endowed series established to sponsor lectures in the humanities, sciences, government and the arts.

Tuesday, January 31, 1-2 p.m., BLSB 105. Lunch provided.

Join us for an interactive and intimate conversation with storyteller Britt Wray about science communication. Learn about telling stories of public health for academic and public audiences across a range of platforms and content, including books, podcasts, documentaries, and talks.

Science storyteller Britt Wray, PhD, is the author of the books Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis (2022, Knopf-Random House) and Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics and Risks of De-Extinction (published in 2017 by Greystone Books in partnership with The David Suzuki Institute). She has been a contributing host on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s national science TV show The Nature of Things, co-host of the BBC podcast Tomorrow’s World and guest host of Canada’s national radio show CBC Quirks and Quarks. Over the last decade, Wray has produced narrative science documentaries for outlets such as BBC Radio 4, CBC Radio 1, NPR, and Love and Radio. Wray holds degrees in biology and media arts as well as a PhD in Science Communication (with a focus on synthetic biology) from the University of Copenhagen. Wray was a 2019 TED Resident, a 2019 Logan Nonfiction Fellow at the Carey Institute for Global Good, and has been a Visiting Scholar at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Institute for Journalism. She is currently a Human and Planetary Health Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University in the Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Jefferson College of Life Sciences.

Monday, January 31, 12-1 p.m., Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall

Lunch provided.

Theme:  Folk music

Woodwind specialist and vocalist, Ben Matus specializes in modern and historical bassoons. He performs regularly on Renaissance and Baroque recorders and a variety of historical and modern pipes.

Paul Holmes Morton, plays both classical and folk traditional music through his primary instrument, the guitar.

Fiona Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based folk and classical singer, instrumentalist and songwriter who was raised in a family of traditional Celtic musicians.  

Bradley King a specialist in early music, performs regularly in a broad range of programs from contemporary to ancient. A classical tenor, he favors the cello and electric bass in an accompanist role and brings his background in Appalachian singing to the folk stage.

Genevieve Gillespie King has played at most major folk music festivals in the US and has toured England, Ireland and Canada.  She has been playing the Irish fiddle since she was four years old.

Access the attendance survey for Asano participation credit here.

Monday, January 23 - Friday, January 27, 5:30-7:30PM, JAH 407

Open to the Jefferson community. This is not a Jefferson Humanities and Health sponsored event.

Strong leadership skills are essential to career advancement and personal as well as professional fulfillment. This healthcare-oriented professional development program was designed to provide women them with the tools, resources, and strategies necessary to advance as leaders. More than 50% of medical students today are women. Despite this, gender bias in medicine is still prevalent: 

  • Earn 27.7% less than their male colleagues
  • Face underrepresentation in national medical specialty societies
  • Are less likely to be promoted to professor or department chair
  • Have lower satisfaction in the workplace
  • Experience sexual harassment
  • Experience unconscious bias which creates a glass ceiling in the workplace
  • Have a lack of mentors

Our program seeks to help females in healthcare navigate the leadership landscape and to increase awareness of gender bias in healthcare. This course will be open to anyone within the Jefferson enterprise and be led by female leaders within our community and beyond. 

Women in Leadership (WiL) Overview:

Monday, January 23: Female Leadership in Healthcare Panel

Do you want to network with some of the brightest female physician leaders of our time? Join us in the introductory session of Women in Leadership (WiL) to hear about these amazing, successful and inspiring individuals, their accomplishments and how they got involved with their current careers. This session will be followed by a Q and A and a goal-setting exercise.

Speakers: 

Subha Airan Javia, MD, FAMIA CEO & Founder of CareAlign

Patricia Curtin, MD FACP Section Chief, Geriatric Medicine, Medical Director, Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Units—Christiana Hospital-6A & Wilmington Hospital-8S, Medical Director, WISH (We Improve Senior Health) Program

Marianne Ritchie, MD Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Director, PINK PLUS® - Women's Cancer Screenings Program, Director, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Colon Cancer Screening/Outreach

 Patricia Henwood, MD Associate Professor, Executive Vice President & the James D. & Mary Jo Danella Chief Quality Officer, Jefferson Health

 Kristin Desimone, MD Associate Dean, Student Affairs & Career Counseling

 Catriona Harrop, MD, SFHM, FACP Senior Vice President, Jefferson Medical Group, Associate Professor, Associate Chief Medical Officer, South Philadelphia Medical Co-Director for Pre Admission Testing

Dixieanne James, MBA President, COO Einstein Health Network

Kathleen P. Gallagher, MSN Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Thomas Jefferson University

Tuesday, January 24: The Art of Communication: Networking and Marketing Yourself

In a world where confidence is key, networking and connections matter, and first impressions make a lasting impact, our speakers will give you tips and tricks of how to put your best foot forward in your future career as a physician leader. The session will include various interactive activities to help you practice your new skills!

Speakers:

Rosie Frasso, PhD, MSc, MSc, CPH Professor of Population Health, Program Director, Public Health at Thomas Jefferson University

Carrie Stricker, PhD, RN, ANP-BC Executive Director, Canopy Cancer Collective, Associate Professor, JCN, and Associate Director of the SKMC Digital Health Scholarly Track, Principal of Accelerate Outcomes LLC,  Co-Founder of Carevive Systems, Inc.

Wednesday, January 25: Professionalism and Gender Issues in the Workplace

There are certain situations in a professional environment that you will or might have already encountered involving gender bias in the workplace. Join us for a roundtable discussion to talk about these circumstances and how to handle them.

Speakers:

Urvashi Vaid, MD, MS Assistant Professor of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Phase I Director, JeffMD

Robin Naples, MD Clinical Professor, Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director Jefferson Health

Thursday, January 26: Female Financial Compensation in Healthcare

In today’s society, females still earn 27.7% less than their male colleagues. Learn how to be part of the movement to narrow and get rid of the gender wage gap. You will learn skills about ways to negotiate your salaries in the workplace and have these conversations in a professional setting.

Speakers:

Karen Novielli MD Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs (TJU) Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs (SKMC)

Friday, January 27: Building Confidence: Shine in your Strengths and Work on Your Weaknesses

This session will focus on leadership skills, emotional intelligence, inspiring change in others, being able to say “no,” personal development and reflection. Learn to defeat your imposter syndrome, find your voice and build your confidence. This session will contain interactive activities, skill building exercises and more!

Speakers:

Jessica Most MD Assistant Professor, Director, Asthma Program, Co-leader Quality, 6th Floor Director, Ambulatory Clinic

Frances West, MD, Assistant Professor, Associate Fellowship Program Director Critical Care

There is no requirement to attend all five sessions. Participants wishing for Asano credit will receive up to four credits, similar to Asano club credits.

 

Wednesday, January 25, 4-5:30 p.m., Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 207. Refreshments provided.

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special Guest: Jennifer Peck, MFA
Jennifer has been teaching reading, writing, literature, theater and humanities courses for ten plus years. With a BA in Literature from Washington DC’s American Literature and a MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, she is committed to teaching accessible and inclusive classes both online and in person and creates instruction that strengthens her students’ reading, writing and information literacy skills while encouraging community building. Currently, she teaches College Writing and Short Fiction for Jefferson Online as well as English Comp classes for local community colleges. 

In 2021, she participated in a panel at the American Studies Association Conference presenting her paper ““#MenstruationLiteracy: How the lack of period talk in pop culture mirrors the lack of funding and research in women’s health.” Recently, she told her story of  living with endometriosis and her healthcare encounters to treat it at the Sixth Annual Story Slam in October 2022. 

Jenn works full time as the Curriculum Technology Specialist for Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College and is finishing her MEd in Penn State’s Learning, Design, and Technology program while also participating in the Humane Education Graduation Certification program run by the Institute of Humane Education and Antioch University. This graduate work has her building curriculum which focuses on how storytelling and the arts can address the tenants of humane education: human rights, environmental preservation, and animal protection while encouraging students to "do the most good and least harm".

Student moderators:

  • Carly Petroski, MFT, CHP, Class of 2024
  • Yema Rosado, CFT, CHP, Class of 2024
  • Ankita Veta, MD/MPH Dual Degree Student, JCPH MPH, Class of 2023

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Wednesday, January 25, 12-1PM, Online via Zoom

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. This is not a Jefferson Humanities and Health Sponsored event.

This Schwartz Center Rounds, panelists will discuss the challenges of navigating complex care plans when there may be disagreement amongst care team members and families. 

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

To access an attendance survey for Asano credit, visit here.

Monday, January 23, 5-6:30 p.m., BLSB 105. Light dinner provided.

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention. 

Reconnecting

Research has shown that our relationships with ourselves, others, and nature have a profound impact on physical health and psychological well-being. In this in-person workshop, we will use the arts to explore ways of building and maintaining this all-important sense of connection. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. Students who register and don't show up may not be able to register for future Jefferson Humanities & Health events.

Monday, January 23, 12-1p.m., Scott Memorial Library, 200A.  Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Vincenzo Berghella on his book Happiness: the scientific path to achieving well-being.

Happiness is up to you! What are the keys to happiness? What does the scientific evidence says about what truly makes us happy? Social relations and love will be included in the discussion.

Dr. Vincenzo Berghella will discuss his book, Happiness: the scientific path to achieving well-being, which reviews the scientific evidence behind what makes people happy, and the steps which we should take to achieve well-being. 

Please read the chapter "The six intentional activities which create happiness" in advance of the discussion.

Copies of Happiness: the scientific path to achieving well-being will be available for attendees after the discussion and lunch will be provided.

Time: Approximately 30 minutes of reading.

Facilitator:Vincenzo Berghella, MD, Professor, SKMC, Director, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program, Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Thursday, January 19, 12-1p.m., Online via Zoom

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. We will review examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional. 

Led by Eileen Cunniffe, MS, Assistant Director for Writing Services in the Office of Academic and Career Success.

Wednesday, January 18, 12-1p.m., Hamilton 210/211

A microaggression is an unintentional and unconscious action that can negatively affect our day-to-day human interactions. They cause real harm to individuals. There is a large amount of evidence that it can be a major factor in the creation of disparities in the healthcare environment that can ultimately lead to patient-care disparities. In this session, we will define microaggressions, its documented effects in medicine, the concept of silent collusion, and the steps one can take to disarm the effects of microaggression.

At the end of the session, the attendees will be able to

  • Define microaggressions.
  • Give two examples of how microaggressions affect the patient care environment.
  • Define “silent collusion.”
  • Name at least three techniques to address a witnessed microaggression.

Facilitator: Bernard L. Lopez, MD, MS, CPE, FACEP, FAAEM, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Thomas Jefferson University

Tuesday, January 17, 5-6 p.m., Online via Zoom

We all have a soundtrack that marks the many chapters of our lives. Teaching artist Josh Robinson and members from Jefferson student group JeffCHAT will facilitate a reflection through your musical past, your stories, and the role music has played throughout your life. The workshop uses music as a vehicle to help participants connect to others and reconnect to themselves. Participants will be guided to reflect on the meaning of various songs in their lives and how music has helped them through both positive and negative experiences. 

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and JeffCHAT.

About the facilitator

Josh Robinson is a professional percussionist, teaching artist, and drum facilitator. He has been a visiting instructor in the Humanities at Thomas Jefferson University for the past four years and is in his second year as the Humanities artist-in-residence. For the past 19 years, Josh has used his skills, expertise, and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people each year around the country. Learn more about Josh at joshrobinsondrums.com.

About JeffCHAT

JeffCHAT is a program designed by students for students at Thomas Jefferson University to promote mental health awareness and discussion about mental health. CHAT members are trained to serve as peer listeners for Jeff students who would like to talk about current concerns. Additionally, CHAT members work together and with staff to organize campus-wide social events that promote wellness. Learn more at jeffhelp.org/chatt.

This program is open to Jefferson students of all colleges and programs. Participants will receive a Zoom link for this virtual program starting 48 hours prior to the event.

Wednesday, January 11, 12-1PM, Scott Memorial Library, Room 200A. Lunch provided.

Join us for a discussion of the chapter "Pig Son," the novel How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamastsu.

Reading: How High We Go In the Dark is a science fiction novel set in the not-too-distant future. The plot is set off when a devastating and ancient virus is released by the thawing of arctic permafrost. "Pig Son" is a chapter in the book that tells the story of a group of medical scientists tasked with growing organs in animals for children sick with the virus. It is a moving and humane exploration of the ethical and emotional consequences of their work. You do not need to read the whole novel to participate in the discussion, this story can stand on its own. However, this novel is showing up on many top 100 lists of the best novels in 2022, and we highly recommend reading it! 

Hardcover copies of How High We Go in the Dark will be available for attendees after the discussion.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Time: Approximately 30 minutes of reading.

Access the Reading:

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Monday, January 9, 5-6:30 p.m., Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 407

Seventy-six years after the liberation of Auschwitz the horror of the Shoah remains as haunting to mankind as ever, as indicated by countless books, documentaries, and monographs dedicated to the subject. Recent attention has gradually shifted away from “perpetrators” and focused instead on the “rescuers” – those few courageous souls who chose to risk their lives so that others could live. As the epitome of altruism for the betterment of mankind one would expect physicians to have been both rescuers and resisters during the Holocaust. Yet, German doctors were the most nazified profession in Hitler’s Reich, with every second male physician becoming a party member. In fact, many were perpetrators who not only provided “scientific” legitimization and manpower to domestic campaigns of sterilization and euthanasia, but who themselves participated in pseudo-scientific experiments on concentration camp prisoners. Hence, the need to revisit the topic.

Speaker: Salvatore Mangione, MD, is a clinician-educator with a long interest in physical diagnosis, medical history, community service and the role of the humanities in medicine. His innovative programs and engaging teaching style have been recognized by multiple teaching awards, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, CNN, NPR, and Forbes. Dr. Mangione has been an invited speaker at many national and international meetings, especially in regard to using visual arts to teach bedside observation. He is the author of the book Secrets in Physical Diagnosis.

This event will also be live streamed on Zoom. Attendees will receive a Zoom link 48 hours prior to the event. 

Questions? Contact Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at Kirsten.Bowen@jefferson.edu.

Thursday, January 5, 12-1p.m., Scott Memorial Library 200A

Bring your notes and ideas about the Humanities programs you have attended so far during this academic year. Leave with fresh ideas about how you might turn your impressions into thoughtful, creative reflections as you complete your Asano portfolio. We will focus mostly on written reflections, but will also touch on other forms of creative response to the events, topics, and experiences you have been collecting as an Asano candidate. You will leave this workshop with examples of concise essays and poems that might inspire your own reflections. We will also discuss how a reflective practice could help you grow and thrive throughout your career as a healthcare professional. 

Led by Eileen Cunniffe, MS, Assistant Director for Writing Services in the Office of Academic and Career Success.

Lunch provided.

December 2022

Tuesday, December 13, 12-1 p.m., Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall.

Lunch provided.

Theme: Triumph Over Adversity

Cellist Darrett Adkins is an avid chamber musician and performs and records in the US and Europe with Lions Gate Trio.  He serves on the cello and chamber music faculties of Juilliard School, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Aspen Music Festival and School

Pianist and Violinist, Melvin Chen has received acclaim for solo and chamber performances throughout the US, Canada and Asia.  He is a professor in the practice of piano, teaches a studio of graduate and undergraduate piano students at the Yale School of Music.

Violinist, Solomiya Ivankhiv is an active soloist and chamber musician.  She is Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola and Head String at UCON and violin faculty at the Longy School of Bard College and was recently named Honored (Merited) Artist of Ukraine.

Saturday, December 10, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Jack T. Franklin Auditorium, African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Advance registration for students for this workshop is not required; please say that you are a student with Jefferson Humanities and Health in order to claim your ticket.

Join us at the African American Museum in Philadelphia for an art-based workshop with Collage artist, Doriana Diaz. Learn more about the Black Healthcare Studies exhibition from the artist and Assistant Curator, Zindzi Harley while participating in a meditative collaging activity.

Black Healthcare Studies

On View (In-Person): Jack T. Franklin Auditorium

October 6 - December 11, 2022

The Black Healthcare Studies exhibition explores the adverse history and barriers faced by Black students pursuing careers in healthcare. Through mixed media and collaged compositions artist, Doriana Diaz transforms everyday objects and archival materials into afro-futuristic depictions of Black figures in healthcare. Diaz draws inspiration from afro-feminist caretaking and activism histories, historical research, and personal testimonials from Janita Matoke, an upcoming Medical Student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine who received her Master’s in Public Health at Thomas Jefferson University. Diaz’s artistry and Matoke’s scholarship converge for an interdisciplinary analysis of systemic racism faced by Black healthcare students and the unique culture and tools through which they transcend these hardships. The Black Healthcare Studies exhibition encourages visitors to rethink the context and utility of materials as tools for healing, self-care, preservation, and future building in Black communities. The AAMP iteration of the Black Healthcare Studies exhibition is the first of more immersive iterations to come.

Monday, December 5, 5-6:30 p.m., BLSB 105

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

Engaging in creative play and laughter are effective methods for stress reduction. This in-person workshop will weave together elements of art, music, and laughter yoga to introduce new ways of rejuvenating your spirit. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Please note: This workshop is in-person and open to Jefferson students only; pre-registration required. 

November 2022

Wednesday, November 30, 12-1 p.m., BLSB 105

Open to all Jefferson students; all supplies and light snacks provided

Art is often used as a healing intervention and as a way to foster creativity. Attend Addressing Racial Trauma through Art and learn about racial trauma and how it impacts us and participate in an artistic method of expression of your diverse self. Engage in an art exercise that will help you explore your experience of the racial and ethnic violence occurring in our world and in our communities.  

The art supplies below will be provided. If you have favorite art materials you would enjoy working with, please feel free to bring your own supplies as well. 

  • Paper of various sizes and small canvas options  
  • Colored pencils, markers, paint 
  • Magazine, scissors, glue stick 

Facilitated by: Dr. Shawn Blue, Staff Psychologist, Student Counseling Center, Thomas Jefferson University. 

Co-presented by the Student Counseling Center and Jefferson Humanities & Health. 

Tuesday, November 29, 12-1 p.m., Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall

Lunch provided.

Theme: Collegiality In Times Of Isolation

Violinist, Margaret Humphrey maintains a vibrant freelance schedule as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestra member performing in ensembles in the US and Europe.

Cellist, Rebecca Humphrey is an active freelancer who has toured widely in the US, Brazil and Europe.

Pianist, Gilya Hodos concertized extensively both as a soloist and collaborative artist in Israel, Germany, Australia and throughout the US.  She is currently on the faculty at Penn State Abington and the Artistic Director for the Dean’s Concert Series at TJU.

Access the attendance survey for Asano participation credit here.

Monday, November 21, 12-1 p.m., Scott Memorial Library 200A

Open to all Jefferson students, faculty, and staff

Reading: “Joshua: Under Contract,” a chapter from The Beauty In Breaking: A Memoir (Penguin, 2020) by Michele Harper. Join a discussion about one night of Harper's ER work in a Veterans' hospital and how two very different patients helped her change her thinking about what it means to "cure" someone. She also discusses the difficulties of everyday life outside her work at the hospital and how to find peace in those places.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Access the Reading:
Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants may email Kirsten Bowen, Humanities Program Coordinator, at kirsten.bowen@jefferson.edu.

Paperback copies of The Beauty in Breaking will be available for attendees after the discussion. 

About the Health Humanities Reading Group:
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Thursday, November 17, 5:30-7 p.m., Eakins Lounge, Jefferson Alumni Hall 

The Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize, the annual writing contest of the Eakins Writing Project, is an invitation for all members of the Jefferson community to engage in the empowering act of writing. Our roles as members of a large health system place each of us in a unique opportunity to witness and be a part of incredible stories every day. The Prize is a call to share those stories and recognize the impact they can have on ourselves and our community. Opening remarks from Laura Madeleine, Executive Director and Curator, Souls Shot Portrait Project. To be followed by a reading of the prize-winning essays and light refreshments. 

Access the attendance survey for Asano credit here.

Wednesday, November 16, 5-6:30 p.m., Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 407 

This session is open to all Jefferson students, residents, faculty, and staff. Registration is encouraged, not required.

This lecture will cover Deaf people in the arts from the 20th century to present. The presenter for this workshop will be Charles McGowan, who has a Bachelor's in History and Deaf Studies, as well as a Masters in Deaf Education. There have been numerous Deaf artists, poets, musicians, in theatre, and more. The Deaf experience as expressed through the arts will be the primary focus in this conversation. 

The DEAFMed lecture series is organized by Natalie Perlov, SKMC Class of 2025, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Wednesday, November 16, 4-5:30 p.m., Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 207

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special Guest: Jibri Douglas
Jibri Douglas (they/them) hails from Newark, NJ, and is currently a 2LE part-time law student at Rutgers Law School. In 2010, Jibri graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion and Behavior. Since graduating from UGA, Jibri has worked tirelessly in the HIV/AIDS field in many capacities, primarily with LGBT homeless youth, substance users, and formerly incarcerated women of color. In 2017, Jibri graduated with a Master of Public Health degree from Drexel University, concentrating in Health Management and Policy. Today, Jibri is the Program Manager of Family Planning for a local Philadelphia non-profit. Jibri started identifying as trans*/non-binary around 2012 while working at Jersey City Medical Center. Having endured discrimination during the beginning of their transition, Jibri started the Pride Promise LGBTQ Initiative at Jersey City Medical Center. Jibri is continuing their transition journey, having legally changed their name in March 2020. Currently, they are battling the insurance company with hopes of getting their chest masculinization surgery covered.

Additionally, Jibri identifies as a social entrepreneur who over the years has slowly married their background in public health to entrepreneurship. Jibri started their journey in 2008 by publishing their first poetry book "Old Vs. New: The Chronicles of Growth" selling over 300 copies in undergrad. In 2015, after successfully launching the first hospital-wide LGBTQ healthcare initiative in Hudson County, NJ, Jibri founded TJD Medical Consulting, a small Diversity and Inclusion boutique consulting firm with a focus on healthcare organizations. In 2019, Jibri transitioned into real estate development. After years of working in public health and seeing the impacts of housing blight on communities, Jibri created Noire Real Estate, LLC.

Student moderators:

Col Del Duke (she/they), MPH, JCPH, Class of 2023

Mallika Kodavatiganti (she/her), SKMC, Class of 2026

Ilyse Kramer (she/her), MLIS, MPA OTDP, JCRS, Class of 2023

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Please note: The following community event is organized by Inis Nua Theatre Company and sponsored by Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Monday, November 14, 7-8:30 p.m. 

The Louis Bluver Theatres at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street (off Spruce Street between 15th and 16th Streets) 

Free and open to Jefferson students, faculty, staff and the public. 

Inis Nua Theatre Company presents the Philadelphia premiere of "Love Song to Lavender Menace" by James Ley (2017). This play reading is directed by David Bardeen and performed by actors Kirk Wendell Brown, Max Gallagher and Brennen Malone. 

About the play: The United Kingdom in the 1980s was a turbulent place. But one bookshop in Edinburgh dared to be a beacon for gay and lesbian people at a time when that could be downright dangerous. James Ley’s celebratory play Love Song to Lavender Menace pays tribute to a bookstore that challenged the heteronormative world with gusto, song and yes, actual paper books. The first reading in Inis Nua's yearlong Queer Connections Reading Series, this play shines a light on the LGBTQ community in Scotland as well as reverence for the printed word.

Monday, November 14, 5-6 p.m., Online via Zoom

Each month, creative arts therapists lead writing, music & arts exercises that promote stress management & burnout prevention.

We often think that doing nothing is relaxing, but we may not be allowing ourselves to truly rest and be restored. This virtual workshop will engage you in music-based relaxation that supports deeper breathing, body awareness and imagery to experience a more grounded, calmer way of relaxing. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Monday, November 14, 12-1 p.m., Hamilton 224/225

Join a discussion exploring how women throughout Jefferson’s history have impacted and shaped the University and hospital into the institution it is today. What can we learn from the past and apply to change the future? Jefferson’s own university archivist Michael Angelo will give a quick introduction to the talk given by second-year medical student Anna Lauriello.

This event is co-hosted by Jefferson’s chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association and is open to all members of the Jefferson Community.

Speakers: F. Michael Angelo, MA, and Anna Lauriello, MS2, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

The Hidden History of Women at Jefferson is organized by Anna Lauriello, SKMC Class of 2025, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Wednesday, November 9, 12-1 PM, Hamilton 628

A speaker panel featuring Dr. Kathleen G. Mechler, a family medicine physician who specializes in hospice and palliative care, will share their experiences working in palliative and hospice care, and will answer questions regarding end of life care. Join us for an inspiring and insightful conversation!

Lunch from Top Tomato will be provided!

Attending this event will count towards Asano Humanities club credit. If you would like to receive credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate, please note that attendance will be taken by the event's student organizers. 

Tuesday, November 8, 12-1 p.m., Hamilton 505

Open to all Jefferson students, staff and faculty; lunch provided. 

Presenter: Kesha Morant Williams, PhD., Senior Advisor for College Diversity, Equity & Belonging, Elizabethtown College

This presentation challenges participants to consider their Center or what guides the way they show up and operate in the world by examining dominant models of health communication. More specifically participants (1) gain an increased awareness of cultural considerations during health interactions, (2) analyze examples highlighting the need for cultural respect in health care interactions (3) receive a model for implementing relationship-centered aspects of health communication in professional interactions. 

An accomplished communicator and researcher, Dr. Kesha Morant Williams works to improve health and well-being by building community social capital through writing, speaking, researching and teaching. She is the author of The Color of STEM, a booklet highlighting the experiences of Black and Brown young women interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, and co-editor of Reifying Women's Experiences with Invisible Illness.

Thursday, November 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Graham Auditorium, Moore College of Art & Design, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia

Free and open to all.

This event is co-presented by Mural Arts Philadelphia, Jefferson Humanities & Health, and Moore’s Socially Engaged Art MFA and MA programs.

This multi-city event features arts organizers from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City. They will reflect on their work, group organizational structures and strategies, what they’ve learned in the last two years and aspirations for organizing moving forward. This event should be of interest to students and practitioners interested in the role of art in public space making, community organizing and supporting community thriving. Convened on the occasion of Southeast by Southeast’s 10th anniversary, this program will put that work in Southeast Philadelphia in dialogue with other inspiring practices. 

Join us for presentations by Shira Walinsky about Southeast by Southeast a community space through Mural Arts (Philadelphia); Laila Islam and Isa Matisse about the Future Is Us Collective (Philadelphia); Rheagen King and Joseph Orzal about Nomunomu (Baltimore); and Diane Wong about Chinatown Art Brigade (New York City). 

About the Speakers

The Future is Us Collective, founded as a youth coalition of 8 artists in 2017, exists as an all-inclusive visual arts collective based in Philadelphia. We provide free platforms for emerging artists to showcase their artworks while giving young Philadelphians a safe space to enjoy the arts. In addition to exhibitions, we facilitate public programming for young creatives, cultivating spaces where participants can collectively process trauma, share knowledge, and create art. As a collective we are organized and facilitated by young adults, serving with a "For Us By Us" model.

Diane Wong is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University, Newark and an affiliate faculty of Global Urban Studies, American Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies. Her research and teaching interests include American politics, race and ethnicity, critical urban studies, comparative immigration, gender and sexuality, cultural and media studies, and community rooted research. Her current book project, You Can’t Evict A Movement: Intergenerational Activism and Housing Justice in New York City, combines ethnography, participatory mapping, archival research, augmented reality, and oral history interviews to examine intergenerational resistance to gentrification in Manhattan Chinatown. Her work has appeared in Urban Affairs Review, Women's Studies Quarterly, Amerasia Journal, PS: Political Science & Politics, Politics, Groups, and Identities, Gateways, Journal of Asian American Studies, and a variety of edited book volumes, anthologies, podcasts, and exhibitions. As a socially engaged artist, Diane is a member of the Chinatown Art Brigade and co-founder of The W.O.W. project, a queer, non-binary, trans youth-led initiative based out of Manhattan Chinatown that uses arts activism to combat displacement.

Chinatown Art Brigade is a cultural collective of artists, media makers and activists creating art and media to advance social change. Our work focuses on the belief that collaboration with and accountability to those communities that are directly impacted by racial, social and economic inequities must be central to cultural, art, or media making process. Through art and public projections, CAB aims to share stories of Chinatown tenants to fight displacement and gentrification. Chinatown Art Brigade collaborates with the Chinatown Tenants Union of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, a non-profit organization that fights against tenant rights violation, evictions, and displacement of low-income pan-Asian communities.

NoMüNoMü is an intersectional arts collaborative working to challenge the perpetual systems of oppression within and beyond the art world. We work collaboratively with artists + grassroots organizations at the intersections of race, age, gender and orientation. We see collaboration in the arts as a means to challenge the status quo, specifically in informing movements of decolonization, resource sharing, and learning new ways of being within and through the field of art.

Shira Walinsky is an artist and educator in Philadelphia. She co-teaches Big Pictures Mural Arts in Philadelphia with Jane Golden, Director of the Mural Arts Program at the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2000 creating over 40 murals. Much of her work centers on migration. She has worked as a socially engaged artist embedded for ten years in South Philadelphia with new communities. She creates participatory work that is often a hybrid of events, teaching and visual artifacts from the process. Her recent work has centered on portraits of and with community members. In 2022 she showed six short videos at Scribe created with Karen and Bhutanese refugee communities. She believes in the role art can play both in classrooms to empower and to make visible those communities who are often not seen or heard in the city.  She is inspired by the struggles and vibrant spaces of the city, where history and growth run parallel. 

In 2012, she developed the Southeast by Southeast storefront space with Melissa Fogg and Miriam Singer. Southeast By Southeast is a community arts space for and with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities in South Philadelphia.Through the space she created projects and programs that bridge mental health, storytelling, art and learning, poetry and film, citizenship and community building. Since 2019 she has developed six films centering on the stories of Karen from Burma and Bhutanese from Nepal families through the project Making Home Movies. Shira co-teaches at the University of Pennsylvania with Jane Golden. She is a lead artist advisor with the Mural Arts Institute supporting artists in Santa Fe, Portland and sharing practices of public art and engagement at workshops across the globe.

Thursday, October 27, 5:30-7 p.m., Jefferson Alumni Hall (1020 Locust Street), Room 307

Join us for the inaugural Carlin Foundation Annual Lecture on Healthcare Innovation, presented by the Jefferson Humanities Forum.

Rushika Fernandopulle: Repairing Healthcare

What does it take to transform values of health equity and patient-centered care into industry-changing business models?

Rushika Fernandopulle, MD, MPP, is a physician who has spent decades improving the quality of healthcare delivered to patients. He is Chief Innovation Officer at One Medical, a membership-based primary care practice on a mission to make getting quality care more affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for all. He was co-founder and CEO of Iora Health, a value-based care primary care group based in Boston MA that delivered better quality, lower costs and improved satisfaction for both patients and teammates. Rushika joined One Medical as part of the One Medical acquisition of Iora in 2021. Rushika was the first Executive Director of the Harvard Interfaculty Program for Health Systems Improvement, and Managing Director of the Clinical Initiatives Center at the Advisory Board Company. He is a member of the Albert Schweitzer, Ashoka, Aspen, and Salzburg Global Fellowships. He serves on the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital, on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and on the boards of Families USA and the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care. He earned his A.B., M.D., and M.P.P. from Harvard University, and completed his clinical training at the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Moderator: Marc-David Munk, MD, MPH, MHCM, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Class of 2003, is President of Steward Health Care Middle East, the Dubai-based affiliate of Dallas-headquartered Steward Health Care, and Co-Founder of the Carlin Foundation. After graduating from SKMC, Dr. Munk completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh and later completed a master’s degree in management from Harvard University. He has since held a variety of leadership roles in academic, government and new-entrant healthcare companies—including serving as Chief Medical Officer and VP for Accountable Care at Iora Health from 2016 to 2018, where he was mentored by Dr. Fernandopulle. Dr. Munk and his spouse, Dr. Martina Stippler, Associate Professor and Vice-Chief of Neurosurgery at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, have led the Carlin Foundation since its inception in 2018.

About the Carlin Foundation Annual Lecture on Healthcare Innovation

The purpose of the Carlin Foundation Annual Lecture on Healthcare Innovation to stimulate innovation in medicine and medical care delivery by exposing students and other attendees to notable speakers and ideas. The Foundation encourages the selection of speakers who will challenge participants to think creatively and innovatively about the difficulties and opportunities facing healthcare, looking, in particular, to experts and industries outside of healthcare.

About the Jefferson Humanities Forum

Each academic year, Jefferson Humanities & Health explores a thought-provoking theme from a wide range of perspectives, inviting reflection and action around how we improve lives. During 2022-2023, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Repair.

Wednesday, October 26, 5-6:30 p.m., BLSB 105

Deaf culture is highly visual. Deaf spaces are populated not only by signers, but also by carefully designed built environments. What happens when film, television, and other visual media frame these spaces for hearing audiences?

In this session, we’ll view clips from recent films such as Sound of Metal and CODA (winner of Academy Award for Best Picture 2021) as well as from TV series and social media. How do these representations train hearing people who are not fluent signers to see and understand d/Deaf people and Deaf culture? To conclude, we’ll invite conversation about the impact of this hearing gaze on how hearing clinicians perceive and interact with d/Deaf patients and family members.

Our presenters are Kristin Lindgren and Jess Libow. We are two hearing women whose research and teaching focuses on literature, visual culture, and disability studies. Kristin has taught in the Writing Program at Haverford College for over 25 years, and Jess joined the Haverford faculty as Visiting Assistant Professor of Writing in fall 2022. Kristin has co-edited two books about Deaf Culture: Signs and Voices: Deaf Culture, Identity, Language, and Arts, and Access, both published by Gallaudet University Press. Jess studied American Sign Language for two years, including a summer at Gallaudet University.

The DEAFMed lecture series is organized by Natalie Perlov, SKMC Class of 2025, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Monday, October 24, 4-5:30 p.m., Connelly Auditorium, Hamilton Building

Open to all Jefferson students, staff and faculty; light refreshments provided.  

How can we heal from the wounds we don’t talk about? This year's Interprofessional Story Slam will feature five-minute stories that help us consider questions of repair and healing told by Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Members of the Jefferson community will share their stories of emotionally processing impactful mistakes, challenges with mental health, and experiences including trauma, bias, stereotyping and discrimination.

Storytellers:

David Nash, MD, MBA, Founding Dean Emeritus, Dr. Raymond C. and Doris N. Grandon Professor, Jefferson College Population Health

Ilyse Kramer, MLIS, MPA, Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Class of 2023, Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences

Jennifer Leah Peck, MFA, Curriculum Technology Specialist, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Instructor, Jefferson Online

Kathryn M. Shaffer, EdD, MSN, CCFP, FNAP, Associate Professor, Jefferson College of Nursing

Moderated by Jefferson students Yazmine Manzanet, Martinique Ogle, Carolyn Ream, and Matthew Rodriguez.

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (JCIPE).

Saturday, October 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Lubert Plaza, Locust Street between 10th and 11th Streets

Loosen up your drawing style and breathe new creativity into your art-making with artist and Fleisher Art Memorial instructor Bernard Collins.

During the class we will explore both drawing and watercolor techniques. Our subject will be The Urban Landscape, interior and exterior spaces. This will be a class accessible to both inexperienced and experienced artists interested in trying out the medium of watercolors. Materials will be provided.

About the Instructor

Bernard Collins, Jr., has a BFA from Temple University Tyler School of Art and an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania in painting. He has taught at Fleisher Art Memorial since 2007. Currently he teaches watercolor, Urban Landscape and Drawing classes at Fleisher.

Saturday, October 15, 2022, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Pinizzotto-Ammon Alumni Center (Jefferson Alumni Hall, Suite 210)

Jefferson students from ALL colleges and programs are invited to attend this event, which is part of SKMC Alumni Weekend. 

The SKMC Alumni Board’s Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Alliance (I.D.E.A.) Subcommittee hosts an exclusive panel discussion for physicians, healthcare providers, and medical students. Listen as experts share insights on the varied aspects of serving diverse patient populations and the disparities faced in many communities. Afterward, alumni and students are invited to network over light refreshments.

Panelists:

Ana María López, MD ’88, MPH
Professor and Interim-Chair, Medical Oncology and Professor of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Director, Integrative Oncology
Associate Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Medical Director, Medical Oncology and Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, NCI Designated
Thomas Jefferson University

Edith P. Mitchell, MD
Clinical Professor, Medical Oncology, SKMC
Enterprise Associate Director for Cancer Disparities, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health

John P. Williams, MD
Breast Cancer Surgeon
Member, President’s Cancer Panel, National Institute of Health

Moderator: 

Irfan Galaria, MD ’01, MBA
Chair, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Alliance Committee, SKMC Alumni Association
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Galaria Plastic Surgery & Dermatology and Inova Health System

Friday, October 14, 1:30-3 p.m., Pinizzotto-Ammon Alumni Center (Jefferson Alumni Hall, Suite 210)

Jefferson students from ALL colleges and programs are invited to attend this event, which is part of SKMC Alumni Weekend. 

Take a journey into Jefferson and Sidney Kimmel Medical College’s remarkable history and incredible treasures from the University Archives and Special Collections with University Archivist and Head of Historic Collections F. Michael Angelo, MA. Afterward, spend time exploring the Pinizzotto-Ammon Alumni Center’s library of yearbooks, issues of The Bulletin, and collection of historical artifacts.

Wednesday, October 12, 5:30-7 p.m., BLSB 105

Open to Jefferson students, staff and faculty from all colleges and programs.

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special guest: Bella

Bella is a housing advocate and an educator. She will be speaking to attendees about her experiences navigating the healthcare and housing systems while being homeless. She brings the perspective of the invisible homeless – folks who fell on hard times and lost their homes but did not necessarily end up on the streets. She asserts that good health requires stable housing. How can healthcare professionals become proactive partners in advancing these goals?

Jefferson student moderators:

Madison Smith, SKMC, Class of 2026

Christopher Wetzel, MD-MPH, SKMC/JCPH, Class of 2024

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

Monday, October 3, 12-1 p.m., Scott Memorial Library 200A

Open to all Jefferson students, faculty, and staff

Reading/Listening:

This week, the Health Humanities Reading Group explores the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cells, taken and used without her knowledge, have played a role in modernity as we know it: from vaccines to medicine to space travel. Lacks’ story is unique but also representative of the pervasive mistreatment of Black people by institutions of medicine, science, education, and healthcare.

Special guest discussant: Ana Mari­a Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

Wednesday, October 5, 5-6:30 p.m., BLSB 105

Open to Jefferson students, residents, faculty and staff in all colleges and programs. Registration is encouraged, not required. 

This lecture will cover important and helpful terms to know in regard to using American Sign Language (ASL) in the medical setting. The presenter for this workshop, Karen Kennedy, has a wealth of experience working in medical settings as a Deaf interpreter. You will learn how to better communicate with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in a medical setting, as well as other tools at your disposal beyond ASL.

The DEAFMed lecture series is organized by Natalie Perlov, SKMC Class of 2025, as part of her Scholarly Inquiry-Humanities project.

Monday, October 10, 5-6 p.m.

Open to all Jefferson students

In order to effectively care for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This virtual workshop will introduce you to a variety of art-based experiences designed to promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Facilitated by Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC). Pre-registration required.

September 2022

This lecture will cover the important milestones in Deaf history, from the 19th century to present (plus a few tidbits going as far back as Ancient Greece). The presenter for this workshop will be Charles McGowan, who has a Bachelor's in History and Deaf Studies, as well as a Masters in Deaf Education. You will learn about how politics, education, community, and other factors contributed to the current state of Deaf culture and community in the United States. 

This session is open to all students, residents, faculty, and staff at Jefferson. Registration is encouraged, not required. 

This DEAFMed lecture series is put together by Natalie Perlov, SKMC Class of 2025, as part of her Humanities Scholarly Inquiry project.

 

Christiana Cruz-Council, curator of the current PAFA exhibition "Strange Sensations: The Startling and Surreal in PAFA's Permanent Collection," will be in conversation with Dr. Sami Khella, the Chief of the Department of Neurology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, a Professor of Clinical Neurology, and exhibiting artist, about the artistic impulse to visually express experiences of trauma, illness, and pain. Centering the work in "Strange Sensations," Dr. Khella and Cruz-Council will talk about how visualizing frightening experiences can help us better understand them, as well as aid the artist's individual journey of self-care.

Please note, the following event is hosted by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) and open to the general public. This event may be counted toward the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate; details below.  

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson University is an institutional member at PAFA? To visit PAFA for free, simply show your Jefferson student ID at the door. 

In the first workshop of this series, we will focus on grounding and centering skills. The group will utilize art, music and movement and each participant will leave with a set of tools and skills that can be applied as needed throughout the school year. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC). Pre-registration required. 

Every person has a story. In this candid conversation series, we’ll talk with community members about their real experiences at the intersection of healthcare, wellbeing and identity. Each guest brings unique insights and expertise into problems of health that span social and clinical dimensions, and engage questions of access, equity and justice. Sessions will be led by an interprofessional team of Jefferson student moderators and include interactive Q&A with attendees.

Special guest: Eddie Dunn

In 2014, while experiencing homelessness and using drugs in Philadelphia, Eddie Dunn met artist Willie Baronet and was featured in Baronet’s documentary film, Signs of Humanity. Months later, while in recovery, Dunn reconnected with Baronet and shared how his life had changed, ultimately joining Baronet for a series of public events geared toward fighting stigma around homelessness and opioid use disorder. In 2017, the pair teamed up with Jefferson professor of Population Health Rosie Frasso and have worked together on several arts-informed projects designed to shed light on the challenges faced by people in need. 

Jefferson student moderators:

Tiffany Buturla, MPH, SKMC Class of 2026 
Bahram Pashaee, MPH, SKMC Class of 2026

Community Voices is presented by the Jefferson College of Population Health, the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education, and Jefferson Humanities & Health.

This event may be counted toward the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate program for Jefferson students. 

We are facing a tumultuous future that requires a unified and strategic approach to human rights. To create this future, we must weave our strengths together and use our differences as a platform for modeling a positive future built on justice and the politics of love. We need to make a commitment to recognize and support each other by calling people in rather than calling them out. 

Loretta J. Ross is an award-winning, nationally-recognized expert on racism and racial justice, women's rights, and human rights. Her work emphasizes the intersectionality of social justice issues and how intersectionality can fuel transformation. Ross is a visiting associate professor at Smith College (Northampton, MA) in the Program for the Study of Women and Gender. She was a co-founder and the National Coordinator, from 2005 to 2012, of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. 

Ross has co-written three books on reproductive justice: Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice; Reproductive Justice: An Introduction; and Radical Reproductive Justice: Foundations, Theory, Practice, Critique. Her latest book, Calling In the Calling Out Culture, is forthcoming in 2022 from publisher Simon & Schuster. 

Ross is a rape survivor, was forced to raise a child born of incest, and is a survivor of sterilization abuse. She is a model of how to survive and thrive despite the traumas that disproportionately affect low-income women of color. She is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and holds an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law degree awarded in 2003 from Arcadia University and a second honorary doctorate degree awarded from Smith College in 2013. She is pursuing a PhD in Women’s Studies at Emory University in Atlanta. She is a mother, grandmother and a great-grandmother.

Following her talk, Professor Ross will be conversation with Karima Bouchenafa, MA, Assistant Director, Philadelphia University Honors Institute at Thomas Jefferson University.

During 2022-2023, the Jefferson Humanities Forum hosts multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme of Repair. 

Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of pottery mending. For centuries, when a bowl breaks, the pieces are connected back together by a Japanese craftsman using lacquer infused with gold. While the defects thus become visible, the new piece is still regarded as more valuable and more beautiful than the original. We’ll discuss how this art form symbolizes the importance and value of self-compassion and self-acceptance. Self-compassion, the mindful practice of being kind to yourself and accepting your humanity, has been shown to help coping, lessen the fear of failure, promote happiness and life satisfaction, and lessen self-criticism and perfectionism. We’ll work with broken bowls while learning some tools to bring more self-compassion into our lives. Accepting our imperfections and flaws will be encouraged so that the beauty of who we are comes shining through. This 90-minute workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Donald Friedman. 

About the facilitator

Don Friedman, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at SKMC. He is a retired rheumatologist who was Chief of the Section of Rheumatology at Crozer-Chester Medical Center for 28 years. At SKMC, he has taught Introduction to Clinical Medicine and sessions on Professionalism and is currently a facilitator for CBL 1 and CBL 2. He has also facilitated the Healer’s Art at Jefferson for 11 years and is presently Director of the course. Don has done professional training with Rachel Remen at RISHI (the Remen Institute for the Study of Health and Illness) and Christina Puchalski at GWish (George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health). He has also participated in workshops run by Animas Valley Institute, Omega Institute, Garrison Institute, Copper Beech Institute, the Kripalu Center, and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.

Open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Limited to 15 registrants with lunch and free copies of the book provided. Please cancel at least 24 hours in advance so that others can attend. 

Reading: “Real Women have Bodies,” a short story from Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado (Graywolf Press, 2017). In this short story, a mysterious outbreak causes some women’s bodies to gradually fade out of sight. Join us for a discussion of this intriguing story centered around bodies, invisibility, domestic trauma and a very specific pandemic. Machado pushes at real world issues using literary tropes of humor, horror and fantasy and her stories always provoke rich discussion.

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Paperback copies of Her Body and Other Stories will be available for attendees after the discussion. 

Access the Reading
Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session. To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. Most Asano students are already users in the Humanities & Health Canvas course. If that is not the case, participants should email Megan Voeller, Director of Humanities, at Megan.Voellerr@jefferson.edu.

About HHRG
The Health Humanities Reading Group (HHRG) gathers regularly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Percussionist and Humanities visiting instructor Josh Robinson invites you to "Drum It Out!" This interactive workshop uses drumming as a coping tool, a vehicle for healthy expression and emotional release, and a fun way to connect with others in an authentic and engaging way. Participants should have on-hand some found objects such as wooden spoons, dowels to make noise on buckets or trash bins.

About the facilitator: Josh Robinson is a professional percussionist, teaching artist, and drum facilitator. He has been a visiting instructor in the Humanities at Thomas Jefferson University for the past four years and the former Humanities artist-in-residence. For the past 19 years, Josh has used his skills, expertise, and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people each year around the country.

August 2022

This lecture is a "crash course" on communicating with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States. You will learn about Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws, communication tips and strategies (including how you can use the technology you already have at your fingertips to better communicate), as well as how to work with a sign language interpreter. The presenters for this workshop will be Neil McDevitt, Executive Director, DHCC and Tanya Sturgis, Education Coordinator, DHCC.

This DEAFMed lecture series is put together by Natalie Perlov, SKMC Class of 2025, as part of her Humanities Scholarly Inquiry project.

DeafMED: Deaf Education and Awareness for Health Professions Students Sessions

  • Wednesday, September 7, 5-7 p.m. – Important Milestones in American Deaf History
  • Wednesday, October 5, 5-7 p.m. – Medical Terminology in American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Wednesday, November 9, 5-7 p.m. – Deaf in the Arts

This event is hosted by the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

In GHHS's first speaker event of the year, we will be discussing the intersection of living with a chronic illness, working as a doctor, and being a patient. Our panelists include SKMC faculty and medical students who live with visible and invisible conditions: Dr. Courtney White, Dr. Jeanne Doherty, Dr. Jessica Fernandez, Michelle Schafer (MS3), and Taylor Houlihan (MS4). What did they learn along the way? What can our medical community do to better support them as healthcare providers? 

A panel discussion with Matthew Purinton, Ricardo Thornton, Britney Wilson and Nethra Ankam

The 2022 Berkowitz Humanism in Medicine Lecture presents a panel discussion with disability advocates and contributors to Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century. One in four people in the United States lives with a self-reported disability. Too often people with disabilities experience stigma, discrimination and poor-quality services when accessing healthcare. This conversation will explore how disability is defined and experienced by diverse individuals and why attending to their perspectives is essential to the realization of equitable and inclusive care.

Moderated by Nethra Ankam, MD, JeffMD Wellness Thread Director and Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College. 

Sidney Kimmel Medical College is grateful to Mr. Edwin Berkowitz and his family for the generous donation that has established the Berkowitz Humanism in Medicine Lectureship. The Berkowitz Humanism in Medicine Lectureship will help engage Jefferson’s students and physicians on various areas in medical humanism, including topics that will enhance their compassion toward patients, improve their communication skills with patients, and allow for a better understanding about how to practice medicine with a patient-centered vision of delivering improved humanistic medical care.

Matthew CP Purinton, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. Matthew received his MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, where he specialized in studying organizational dynamics, PTSD, and brain-based psychotherapy. Matthew lectures in the Genetic Counseling program at Thomas Jefferson University and serves as a member of Jefferson Health’s Enterprise Patient and Family Centered Care program.

Ricardo Thornton is a strong self-advocate in the District of Columbia and a former resident of the district's institution for people with disabilities, Forest Haven. He is co-president of Project ACTION!, an advocacy coalition of adults with disabilities, is an ambassador with the Special Olympics, and served on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He has worked for more than 40 years at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library.  He is married with one son and three grandchildren.  The film Profoundly Normal chronicles their life as one of the first couples in the United States with developmental disabilities to marry. 

Britney Wilson, JD is a civil rights attorney and writer from Brooklyn New York and is currently an Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Civil Rights and Disability Justice Clinic.  She received her BA from Howard University and her JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.  Her work has been featured in Longreads,and The Nation, on HBO’s Brave New Voices and the radio show and podcast, This American Life.

July 2022

Art for the Healer
Tuesdays, July 5-26, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Fleisher Art Memorial

Please note: This program is open to all Jefferson health professions students as a non-credit extracurricular activity; please only register for this program if you can commit to attending all of the sessions. if you are a Sidney Kimmel Medical College student, you have the option of completing this program for course credit for JMD 252: Humanities Selectives.

Our popular Art for the Healer program with Fleisher Art Memorial returns this summer, hosted on Fleisher's Bella Vista campus! Designed for Jefferson's health professions students, the program provides a four-week introduction to the visual principals and elements of art and design.

Informed by Bauhaus Vorkurs pedagogy and maintaining an emphasis on observation, the course introduces students to technical skills in different media while encouraging intuitive self-expression. Lessons are tailored to serve healthcare professionals particularly, encompassing goals of increasing empathy, strengthening crucial perceptual skills, and studying anatomical structures.

Course Outline - Classes will take place on Fleisher Art Memorial’s campus: 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

July 5 - July 26, Tuesday evenings, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (4 evening sessions plus one visit to the Rodin Museum on a Friday or Saturday)

  • Tuesday, July 5, 6:30-9:30 p.m | Observation and Line
  • Tuesday, July 12, 6:30-9:30 p.m | The Body: Gesture & Proportion
  • Tuesday, July 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m | Visualizing Form
  • Tuesday, July 26, 6:30-9:30 p.m | Emotion Through Color
  • TBD: One Friday or Saturday trip to the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia (three hour session)

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

June 2022

The Human Side of Healthcare with Dr. Don Friedman

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all 5 sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75 minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 25-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute discussion. The course is open to medical and nursing students and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

The Human Side of Healthcare Series Overview 

Tuesdays, 5-6:15 p.m., May 31, June 7, 14, 21, & 28, Online via Zoom

  • Tuesday, May 31 – Mindful Self-Compassion
    What is it? How do you practice it? What are its benefits?
  • Tuesday, June 7 – Spirituality and Healthcare
    Why is spirituality an important part of patient care? How do you take a spiritual history?
  • Tuesday, June 14 – Characteristics of Effective Practitioners and a Discussion of the Differences Between Curing and Healing
    What approaches to patient interactions can be healing? How do we as healthcare providers establish meaningful relationships with patients, no matter what our field is. What role does skillful listening play in reaching this goal?
  • Tuesday, June 21  – Perfectionism, Shame, and the Inner Critic
    How do these factors, so rampant in healthcare, block us from our authentic selves, healthy achievement, and sustained growth? What are some antidotes to their negative effects?
  • Tuesday, June 28 – Medicine as Soul Work 
    How can medicine be soulful? How can what we do as healthcare professionals help us find meaning in our lives?

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Join us as panelists share how they have implemented gender affirming care into their practice. 

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

2021-2022: Origins

May 2022

The Human Side of Healthcare with Dr. Don Friedman
Session 1: Mindful Self-Compassion

In patient care, it is so easy to focus on the breadth of medical knowledge and the technology available today that we can easily ignore the human side of what we do as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when we interact with our patients. To examine this aspect of clinical care, these sessions will explore the humanity behind the practice of medicine from the patient perspective and from the healthcare professional perspective as well. The five sessions will focus on either different aspects of patient and practitioner interactions or the concept of self-care as a practice that can sustain us in our work and help find meaning in what we do.

There is no required reading and no commitment to all five sessions, but hopefully everyone interested will attend as many sessions as possible to gain a general perspective on this topic. Each 75-minute session will involve a 20-minute discussion at the beginning, 25-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute discussion. The course is open to medical and nursing students and students in other allied health departments at Thomas Jefferson University.

The Human Side of Healthcare Series Overview

Tuesdays, 5:00-6:15 p.m., May 31, June 7, 14, 21 & 28, Online via Zoom

  • Tuesday, May 31 – Mindful Self-Compassion
    What is it? How do you practice it? What are its benefits?
  • Tuesday, June 7 – Spirituality and Healthcare 
    Why is spirituality an important part of patient care? How do you take a spiritual history?
  • Tuesday, June 14 – Characteristics of Effective Practitioners and a Discussion of the Differences Between Curing and Healing 
    What approaches to patient interactions can be healing? How do we as healthcare providers establish meaningful relationships with patients, no matter what our field is. What role does skillful listening play in reaching this goal?
  • Tuesday, June 21 – Perfectionism, Shame, and the Inner Critic
    How do these factors, so rampant in healthcare, block us from our authentic selves, healthy achievement, and sustained growth? What are some antidotes to their negative effects?
  • Tuesday, June 28 – Medicine as Soul Work
    How can medicine be soulful? How can what we do as healthcare professionals help us find meaning in our lives?

Speakers Dr. Shruti Chandra, Charlotte Tatum, Dr. Debra Harder, Melissa Ash, and Nicole Cavaliere will share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic as healthcare workers and administrators between movements of music, written by Ted Babcock and played by the Viano Quartet, shedding light on the humanity of healthcare workers and calling the public to action in reforming our healthcare systems as the pandemic fades from public perception.

April 2022

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Join us as our panelists discuss their personal stories about organ donation, the transplant process and interactions with healthcare teams.

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

Join us for our culminating event to celebrate this year of the humanities! We will congratulate those who earned the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate and the contributors and editors of  Inside Out, Jefferson’s student-run arts & literary journal. Special guest Yolanda Wisher, Philadelphia-based poet, singer, educator, and curator, will present on the intersection of poetry and health and facilitate an interactive writing exercise. Then, hear students share excerpts of their written and artistic works from Inside Out’s newly-minted edition! We hope you come out for this in-person celebration to meet your fellow humanities peers, decompress, snack, and wrap up the year.  

In our last workshop of the season, participants will reflect on the past year and look ahead to what’s next while anchoring in the present moment. We will use art, movement, music and writing to mark this transition. Dinner provided to those in attendance.

Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

March 2022

About the film: Through shard-like glimpses of everyday life in post-Hurricane María Puerto Rico, Landfall is a cautionary tale for our times. Set against the backdrop of protests that toppled the US colony’s governor in 2019, the film offers a prismatic portrait of collective trauma and resistance. While the devastation of María attracted a great deal of media coverage, the world has paid far less attention to the storm that preceded it: a 72-billion-dollar debt crisis crippling Puerto Rico well before the winds and waters hit. Landfall examines the kinship of these two storms—one environmental, the other economic—juxtaposing competing utopian visions of recovery. Featuring intimate encounters with Puerto Ricans as well as the newcomers flooding the island, Landfall reflects on a question of contemporary global relevance: when the world falls apart, who do we become?

About the talkback: Join a dialogue between Lale Namerrow Pastor, Associate Producer and Collaborator of Landfall, and Richard V. Pepino, MSS, MS, Lecturer, Public Health, Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University.

Presented by the Creativity Core Curriculum
(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

The most dramatic form of creativity is the “Aha! Moment,”—what experimental psychologists and neuroscientists call “insight.” Insights are sudden realizations that pop into awareness, seemingly from nowhere. They are the source of new inventions, poems, symphonies, and mathematical theorems. They also provide practical solutions to everyday problems. Using examples from problem solving and musical improvisation, this talk will explain what an insight is, how the brain generates them, and how to have more of them. 

John Kounios, PhD, is a professor in Drexel University’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences who has published research on insight, creativity, problem solving, memory, and Alzheimer’s disease, and coauthored (with Mark Beeman) the international Amazon Bestseller, The Eureka Factor: Aha Moments, Creative Insight, and the Brain (Random House). John's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation and has been reported by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times (London), and National Public Radio, and was featured in BBC Television and Discovery Science Channel documentaries. His work was profiled by The New Yorker and The Saturday Evening Post and is part of a permanent exhibit in Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. He is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, the Psychonomic Society, and the International Society for the Study of Creativity and Innovation.

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Join us for a Special Schwartz Center Rounds with Josh Robinson, Jefferson Humanities & Health Teaching Artist as he facilitates an interactive workshop teaching us how to use music and drumming as a coping tool, a vehicle for healthy expression/emotional release, and a fun way to connect with others in an authentic and engaging way.

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

Reading: Marilisa C. Navarro, Radical Recipe: Veganism as Anti-Racism
Time: 18 min read

Special guest discussant: Marilisa C. Navarro, PhD, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, College of Humanities and Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University.

This week, HHRG will discuss anti-racism in relation to food, foodways, veganism and cookbooks. Special guest discussant Dr. Marilisa Navarro will join the group in considering how two cookbooks—Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry and Decolonize Your Diet by Luz Calvo and Catriona Esquibel—go beyond conveying recipes to produce knowledge, critique racism and colonialism, deconstruct the white-centric veganism narrative, and highlight the voices, histories and experiences of people of color.

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the selected reading. To access the reading and registration link, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group: Radical Recipe page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Jefferson Humanities Forum & College of Architecture and the Built Environment present

Amie Shao - Expecting More: Designing for Birth 

Amie Shao is a Principal with MASS Design Group, where she oversees research focusing on health infrastructure planning, design, and evaluation. Amie also leads the MASS.Made team in interior design, including space planning, testing and fabrication, and furniture design for office and healthcare spaces. Her work is aimed at engaging and empowering stakeholders in the design process; creating human-centered environments that are functional, adaptable, and mission-driven; supporting and substantiating the impact of design on health, social, and environmental outcomes; and translating research into guidelines that can be used to advocate for policy change.

Currently, Amie is supporting the firm’s COVID-19 research and leading Maternal Health projects with IHI and PATH in Africa and South Asia. Blending human-centered design practices with evidence-based research, Amie has collaborated with Ariadne Labs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to investigate the Impact of Design on Clinical Care in Childbirth, worked with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to design for the spatial needs of children with Cerebral Palsy, and coordinated the production of National Health Infrastructure Standards for the Liberian Ministry of Health.

Forum Scholar: Christopher Harnish, MArch, Associate Professor, College of Architecture and the Built Environment

Co-presented with the College of Architecture and the Built Environment.

During 2021-2022, the Jefferson Humanities Forum speaker series will bring a handful of multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme Origins. Learn more on the Jefferson Humanities Forum page, where you can also explore the contextual resources for this lecture, compiled by Dr. Lazcano.

Reading: Reading: McMillen, Matt. (2021, April 8). Race-Norming in Health Care: A Special Report. HealthCentral.

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Lecturer, Jefferson College of Population Health

Join a discussion about the implications of “race-norming” and the movement to phase out race-based calculations in medical education and clinical settings. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the selected reading. 

Play reading: Nine Night by Natasha Gordon (England)

Relationships are tested and secrets revealed when a British-Jamaican family gathers for the customary nine nights of mourning following the death of their matriarch.

Inis Nua’s 2021-22 Reading Series: Healing and Hope presents three moving and funny plays that shine a light on how we as people find connection, community, and meaning even in the darkest of times.

In this virtual workshop, participants will explore a variety of practices that help to develop resiliency and well-being. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care series: In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Presented by the Arlen Specter Center
(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

A panel discussion on the psychological impact of the pandemic on college students, faculty and staff. Hear perspectives of students, an administrator, and a psychologist. Learn about dealing with uncertainty; positives/negatives of online learning; stress and anxiety due to isolation, changed living environments, and more.

Moderator: Evan Laine, MA, JD, Faculty Director, Arlen Specter Center; Director, Law & Society Program, Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls

Panelists:

  • Henry Humphreys, PhD, Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Students, Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls
  • C. Virginia O’Hayer, MA, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Human Behavior Director, Thomas Jefferson University - Center City
  • Julia Smith, BA, Advanced Student, MS in Community & Trauma Counseling Program, Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls

Presented by the Arlen Spector Center as their Laurence Katz Memorial Lecture.

Explore the ways in which a drawing practice can bring balance to your healthcare studies or career. Artist and cardiologist Nazanin Moghbeli, MD, FACC, uses art to inspire, decompress, and deepen curiosity about the human body and medicine. Join Dr. Moghbeli for a workshop that will build on this wisdom to expand participants’ observational skills, promote self-care, and encourage burnout prevention. All drawing abilities and experiences are welcome! This workshop will discuss basic drawing techniques, composition, subject matter, three-dimensionality, and tips for forming a daily sketchbook practice.

Materials will be available for pick-up prior to the workshop, including: a small sketchbook and portable pocket version, drawing pencils, and an eraser.

About the instructor: Nazanin Moghbeli, MD, FACC is an Iranian-American artist and cardiologist, and the director of the Cardiac Care Unit at Einstein Medical Center. Dr. Moghbeli is the current Humanities Artist-in-Residence. 

February 2022

Jefferson Humanities Forum “Origins” Presents 

Robin Wall Kimmerer: Braiding Sweetgrass

Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, which has earned Kimmerer wide acclaim. Her first book, Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for outstanding nature writing, and her other work has appeared in Orion, Whole Terrain, and numerous scientific journals. She tours widely and has been featured on NPR’s On Being with Krista Tippett and in 2015 addressed the general assembly of the United Nations on the topic of “Healing Our Relationship with Nature.” Kimmerer lives in Syracuse, New York, where she is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, and the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, whose mission is to create programs which draw on the wisdom of both indigenous and scientific knowledge for our shared goals of sustainability.

Forum Scholar: Anne Bower, PhD, Professor of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University.

Co-presented with the Jefferson College of Life Sciences.

During 2021-2022, the Jefferson Humanities Forum speaker series will bring a handful of multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme Origins. Learn more on the Jefferson Humanities Forum page, where you can also explore the contextual resources for this lecture, compiled by Dr. Lazcano.

Join a discussion about poetry, illness, and healthcare, drawing from the poetry collection Little Pharma, by doctor and medical ethicist Laura Kolbe.

Reading: Cadaver 28 and Little Pharma’s Research, two poems by Laura Kolbe
Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College 

Please note: This discussion will take place in-person, in the Hamilton Building on Jefferson's Center City campus. Lunch gift card provided. Limited copies of Laura Kolbe's Little Pharma will be available for attendees after the discussion.

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts, and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty, and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Reading: Brad N. Greenwood, Rachel R. Hardeman, Laura Huang and Aaron Sojourner, “Physician–patient racial concordance and disparities in birthing mortality for newborns,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020) 117 (35): 21194-21200. 

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Lecturer, Jefferson College of Population Health

This small-group discussion will consider a 2020 paper that posits that newborn-physician racial concordance (the newborn and doctor have the same race) improves mortality rates for Black babies, especially during more challenging births and in hospital spaces where more Black newborns are delivered.

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the selected reading. To access the reading, participants must visit the Anti-Racism in Health Focus page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Join us the DEI journal club in the new year to discuss ableism, the intentional or unintentional discrimination and prejudices against disabled persons, and its place in academia. We will address readings from “How Ableism Contributed to Me Leaving Graduate School" and “We Need to Address Ableism in Science” in addition to excerpts from the book Life of the Mind Interrupted by Katie Rose Guest Pryal, JD, PhD. 

Readings:

This DEI Journal Club is a safe and accountable space for the community to come together monthly to engage in active discussion about relevant diversity topics that will challenge our current world views in order to increase inclusivity and equity in the life sciences and our respective communities (classrooms, labs, offices, etc.). 

Interested in getting involved with the journal club? Head to our Canvas site or email JCLSDEIJournalClub@jefferson.edu.

Join a small-group discussion to explore themes from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s acclaimed book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. This program takes place in anticipation of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Jefferson Humanities Forum talk on February 28 and will be facilitated by third-year medical student Steven Bieser. Copies of Braiding Sweetgrass will be offered to participants after the discussion.

No reading is required to participate in this discussion, attendees are just encouraged to peruse the following prompts and bring any reactions/responses/questions to a fun and low-key small group session!:

  • What can plants and other organisms teach us about our own origins? Origins of our own evolution? Of our medicines? Of the way we share (or fail to share) resources with one another?
  • Do trees communicate? how? And what does it mean to "communicate"?
  • The intersections of plants and medicine go back millennia as humans have learned how to apply mixtures of extracts from Willow bark (Aspirin) to wounds and alleviate pain and reduce fevers as recorded by Sumerians and Egyptians, and then by great physicians from ancient Greece and Rome. And independently by Indigenous peoples of the Americas to alleviate toothache, headache, and arthritis!!ew
  • Digoxin from digitalis (foxglove plants) is used to treat heart failure today but used to be used for epilepsy and may have influenced some of Van Gogh’s most famous work: yellowish halos that illuminate his “Starry Night” painting are a recognized symptom of digoxin poisoning.
  • How have plants influenced your own life and how will they impact your future?

Presented by Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement at Jefferson (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Please join us to hear from Mr. Yusef Salaam and Mr. Raymond Santana who were both tried and convicted in the “Central Park jogger” case along with four other Black and Latinx young men. They are part of the Exonerated Five who spent between seven to 13 years behind bars for crimes they did not commit until their sentences were overturned in 2002. Since then, they have received a multi-million dollar settlement from the city of New York for its injustice and have been profiled in award-winning films, including The Central Park Five documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon and most recently the Emmy award-winning Netflix limited series When They See Us, written and directed by Ava DuVernay.  

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Join us as our panelists and attendees share positive outcomes, moments of thanks, and stories that have impacted their work and personal lives during difficult times.

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

How can we learn from failure on the journey towards growth? Join us for a presentation and discussion with clinical therapist Matthew Purinton, MSW, LCSW, whose approach to learning from failure draws on the principles and values of trauma-informed care and Disability culture. 

Matt utilizes the unique knowledge gleaned from his life experience: forty-four years of living with a disability, thirty-six years of which have been spent dealing with chronic pain. Matt's experience informs his practice as a client-centered therapist who helps people discover new coping skills and uncover hidden resources. In his keynote presentation, Matt will discuss finding insights and strengths in personal experiences of adversity as well as the necessity of collective networks of solidarity for addressing systemic social failures, including those brought about by ableism. 

From Matt: I believe in leveraging a multimodal, multidisciplinary design process that levels patient and provider to co-create solutions by leaning into the problem. My Disability has taught me that the best way over an obstacle is straight through. I’ll be focusing on how we're failing in the time of Covid, and how ableism and implicit bias are hampering our recovery. Chronic isolation, chronic threat and fatigue, and mixed messages are all harming our psyches and our ability to evaluate information. We need social media to be a cultivator of connection and collaboration instead of an orchestrator of outrage, now more than ever. How can we reimagine business, education, design, and medicine by adopting a "Nothing About Us Without Us" problem-solving process? Representation matters, or else we are doomed to continue to do the same things and expect different results. Collaborating and asking the people who are impacted about what they think the issues are, and where they think the solutions can be found, is the place to start. 

Following his talk, Matt will be in dialogue with moderator Nethra Ankam, MD, Wellness Thread Director and JeffMD Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and attendees.

Presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Graduate Medical Education, SKMC Wellness Thread and the Student Counseling Center.

This workshop is all about taking some time to relax! Participants will be guided through a series of exercises designed to bring peace and calm by connecting with the breath, body and creative spirit. Facilitated by Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC)

Reading: “Eight Bites” in Machado, Carmen Maria. (2017). Her Body and Other Parties. Graywolf Press.
Time: 20 min read

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities Selectives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

This week, HHRG will use fiction to discuss nuances around health and bodies. The selected short story “Eight Bites” follows a narrator who elects to get bariatric surgery after her three sisters have undergone the procedure (and claim that it changed their lives), stirring up themes of body image, self-hate, and weight-loss culture.

Please note: This discussion will take place in-person, in the Hamilton Building on Jefferson's Center City campus. Lunch gift card provided. Limited copies of Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties will be available for attendees after the discussion.

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

To access the reading, participants must visit the Health Humanities Reading Group module in the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Reading: Marie V. Plaisime, David J. Malebranche, Andrea L. Davis and Jennifer A. Taylor, “Healthcare Providers’ Formative Experiences with Race and Black Male Patients in Urban Hospital Environments,” Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (2017) 4: 1120-1127. 

Facilitator: Denine R. Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Lecturer, Jefferson College of Population Health

How does the normalization of structural racism at systemic levels impact patient-clinician encounters? This discussion will focus on a recent study conducted with Philadelphia-area physicians, nurses and 3rd and 4th year medical students which explored how personal and professional experiences influence interactions with Black male patients.

Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the selected reading. To access the reading, participants must visit the Anti-Racism in Health Focus page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Please note: This discussion will take place in-person, in the Hamilton Building on Jefferson's Center City campus. Please only register if you are able to join in-person. Lunch gift card provided.

We all have a soundtrack that marks the many chapters of our lives. Teaching artist Josh Robinson and members from Jefferson student group JeffHELP CHATT will facilitate a reflection through your musical past, your stories, and the role music has played throughout your life. The workshop uses music as a vehicle to help participants connect to others and reconnect to themselves. Participants will be guided to reflect on the meaning of various songs in their lives and how music has helped them through both positive and negative experiences. 

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and JeffHELP CHATT.

JeffHELP CHATT is a program designed by students for students at Thomas Jefferson University to promote mental health awareness and discussion about mental health. CHATT members are trained to serve as peer listeners for Jeff students who would like to talk about current concerns. Additionally, CHATT members work together and with staff to organize campus-wide social events that promote wellness. 

Presented by Jefferson's Global Health Student Consortium (*This is not our event, e are just spreading the word!*)

Jefferson’s Global Health Student Consortium (GHSC) presents the 2022 Global Health Conference which consists of three panels exploring different aspects of innovation, policy, and life amidst COVID, exploring inequity as well as highlighting successes in this daunting pandemic. With experts from various fields and countries such as Malawi, Japan, and Panama, we hope to reflect on how nations across the globe have dealt with seemingly insurmountable challenges posed by the pandemic and how that can inform our lives as we adjust to living with COVID-19.

To enter our raffle for 10 $50 Amazon gift cards, please register for the conference and show up this Friday!

12-1 p.m. - Panel 1: The Vaccine

  • Rwanda: Dr. Albert Tuyishime – Head of the Institute of HIV/AIDS
  • Washington DC: Mr. Zin Rizvi – Research Director, Public Citizen
  • Philadelphia: Dr. Matthias Schnell – Director, Jefferson Vaccine Center

1-2 p.m. - Panel 2: Grassroots Response

  • Panama: Christina Salazar, Carolina Cuenca – TodoPanama & Unidos por Panama
  • Philadelphia: Dr. Morgan Hutchinson – Jefferson Health Design Lab
  • India: Dr. Raja Narayanan – Director, LV Prasad Eye Institute and Pranav Adhyapak & Sushmita Kavatagimath – KLE medical students 

2-3 p.m. - Panel 3: Large-scale Response

  • Malawi: Dr. John Phuka – Head of Malawi’s Presidential Covid Taskforce
  • Japan: Dr. Jumpei Tsukada – Jefferson Japan Center
  • Italy: Dr. Ignazio Marino – Director, Jefferson Italy Center 

Learn more about the Global Health Student Consortium

To access the registration link, participants must visit the JeffX 2020 page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas.

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Join us as our panelists share their perspective and coping with the constant and continued impact COVID has had on the healthcare system.

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

To access the registration link, participants must visit the Schwartz Rounds page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

January 2022

Reading: William Carlos Williams, “The Use of Force,” first published in 1938, from The Doctor Stories (New York: New Directions, 1984).

Facilitator: Katherine Hubbard, MA, Teaching Instructor, JeffMD Humanities  electives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College 

Join a small group discussion about the short text “The Use of Force” by poet and physician William Carlos Williams. The story focuses on the interaction between a doctor and a determined child patient, giving insight into the doctor’s perspective as he navigates a stubborn patient and her potential life-threatening illness, and his own judgment.

The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. Participants are expected to read, and come prepared to discuss, the text selected for each session.

Presented by SORT (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Jefferson student group Student Opioid Response Team (SORT) presents a virtual panel featuring certified recovery specialists and patients from Project HOME Health Services’ (the Hub of Hope and Stephen Klein Wellness Center) Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Program to offer personal insight into the world of addiction and the road to recovery.

To access the Zoom link, participants must visit the SORT Virtual Panel page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner. Join Caroline Rhoads, MSW, for this special sessions designed to help provide you with some much need respite from the world! 

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

DocNights, the Jefferson Humanities & Health collaboration with Philadelphia Film Society, continues this fall with a new programming focus: environmental justice. 

About the film: Inhabitants follows five Native American Tribes across deserts, coastlines, forests, and prairies as they restore their traditional land management practices. For millennia Native Americans successfully stewarded and shaped their landscapes, but centuries of colonization have disrupted their ability to maintain traditional land management practices. As the climate crisis escalates these time-tested practices of North America's original inhabitants are becoming increasingly essential in a rapidly changing world.

About the Talkback
Join a virtual talkback with members of the Inhabitants community: Ben-Alex Dupris, producer; Costa Boutsikaris, co-director; Anna Palmer, co-director; and Michael Johnson, a traditional Hopi farmer and practitioner featured in the film. The discussion will be moderated by Susan Frostén, M.Arch, RA (NYS), LEED AP, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor of Architecture, College of Architecture and the Built Environment, Thomas Jefferson University. 

View the Film
Inhabitants is available to view for free through January 31, 2022

Research has shown that our relationships with ourselves, others, and even nature have a profound impact on physical health and psychological well-being. In this workshop, we will use a variety of art-based practices to explore ways of building and maintaining this all-important sense of connection.  Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Drum It Out with Josh Robinson

Percussionist and Humanities visiting instructor Josh Robinson invites you to "Drum It Out!" This interactive workshop uses drumming as a coping tool, a vehicle for healthy expression and emotional release, and a fun way to connect with others in an authentic and engaging way. A pair of drumsticks will be available for pick-up leading up to the workshop. Alternatively, participants can use found objects such as wooden spoons, dowels to make noise on buckets or trash bins.

About the facilitator: Josh Robinson is a professional percussionist, teaching artist, and drum facilitator. He has been a visiting instructor in the Humanities at Thomas Jefferson University for the past four years and the former Humanities Artist-in-Residence. For the past 19 years, Josh has used his skills, expertise, and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people each year around the country. 

Presented by the Student Counseling Center (SCC)
(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Art therapy is often used as a healing intervention and as a way to foster creativity. With MLK Day approaching, let's join together and engage in an art exercise that will challenge you to consider how to embrace diversity and increase opportunities for peace. Start your community service early by spreading messages of hope, respect and incclusion. You do not need an artistic background to attend. Everyone is welcome. 

Facilitated by Dr. Shawn Blue, Psychologist, SCC

Art supplies to have on hand:

  • Piece of paper, any size, but at least 8.5x11" (optional: canvas or art journal)
  • Colored pencils, markers, paint

Presented by the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Grand Rounds

(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Educational Objectives
At the conclusion of the activity, the participant will be able to:

  • To learn more about the history of the Disability Rights Movement
  • To emphasize the ways in which the medical community can proactively help people adapt to their own disabilities
  • To appreciate the importance of listening to the patient

December 2021

Second-year medical student Sarah Muche and Humanities Education Coordinator Marcie Mamura are collaborating to offer a Creative Card Making Workshop! Drop on by anytime during the two-hour window for an opportunity to connect before dispersing for winter break and a chance to dedicate creative time to make a card for yourself or someone special. Materials and light snacks provided.

Presented by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Behind every work of figurative art there is a model whose own artistic skills were essential in that work's creation. However, despite being visible as the subjects of these works, life models are nearly always overlooked in their role as active agents in the artistic process, and are seen instead as "mercenary drawing instruments." 

More Than Life Drawing will feature 90 minutes of drawing time with live, discussion-style interviews with participating figure models. These sessions will showcase not only the stories of the figure models who inspire us, but will also position the practice of life modeling as active, artistic, and activistic.

Bring your charcoal, pencils, and paint and join us for a lively night of drawing, learning, and fun!

The Eakins Writers’ Council is proud to invite you to a reading to celebrate the winners of the inaugural Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize! This event will feature keynote speaker Jim Macmillan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, educator, and director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

Yeo Writing Prize Winners

  • June by David Peters (Resident, Family and Community Medicine)
  • The Elevator Crisis by Ellen Solomon (Medical Student)
  • Being a Black Nurse During Two Pandemics: A Test of Faith by Chanel Hart (Nurse, Family and Community Medicine)

In addition to the above readings and speaker, we look forward to releasing the latest issue of the literary journal Evanescent. Many of the essays submitted for the prize are included in this issue of Evanescent, and all entries will be included in an actual time capsule to be placed in the foundation of the new Jefferson Specialty Care Pavilion at the corner of 11th and Chestnut, as well as in the Jefferson Archives in Scott Memorial Library. The essays will give a window into what it was like to live through 2020 for decades – if not centuries – to come.

Art Therapy is often used as a healing intervention and as a way to foster creativity. Attend Addressing Racial Trauma Through Art and learn about racial trauma and how it impacts us, and participate in an artistic method of expression of your diverse self. Engage in an art exercise that will help you explore your experience of the racial and ethnic violence occurring in our world and in our communities. 

Art supplies to have on hand:

  • A piece of paper, any size, but at least 8.5 x 11 or a canvas or art journal.
  • Colored pencils, markers, paint.
  • Optional: Magazine, scissors, glue stick.

Facilitated by: Dr. Shawn Blue, Staff Psychologist, Student Counseling Center.

Co-presented by the Student Counseling Center and Jefferson Humanities & Health. 

Where, when, and how did life on Earth begin? Join us for a conversation with Antonio Lazcano, PhD, that looks back on his more than 35 years of research into the origin and early evolution of life, and surveys recent developments in the field. Dr. Lazcano will be in conversation with Isidore Rigoutsos, PhD, Richard W. Hevner Professor in Computational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University.

Dr. Lazcano is a Mexican biology researcher and professor of the School of Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City. He pursued his undergraduate and graduate studies at UNAM, where he focused on the study of prebiotic evolution and the emergence of life. Dr. Lazcano's professional work has taken him internationally – he has been professor-in-residence or visiting scientist in France, Spain, Cuba, Switzerland, Russia, and the United States. He has written several books in Spanish, including the bestseller, The Origin of Life (1984). Dr. Lazcano has also been a member of several advisory and review boards of scientific organizations, such as the NASA Astrobiology Institute. He served as president of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life (ISSOL) for two terms, and is the first Latin American scientist to occupy this position. Dr. Lazcano is committed to promoting scientific journalism, teaching, and the study of the origins of life all over the globe.

During 2021-2022, the Jefferson Humanities Forum speaker series will bring a handful of multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme Origins. Learn more on the Jefferson Humanities Forum page, where you can also explore the contextual resources for this lecture, compiled by Dr. Lazcano.

No One Dies Alone (NODA) at Thomas Jefferson University will be hosting Nurse Michelle Lasota and Dr. Kathleen G. Mechler to answer questions regarding end of life care and share their experiences working in palliative and hospice care. Join us for an insightful conversation between two inspiring individuals who are widely recognized for their holistic approach in healthcare. Lunch will be provided!

About NODA
No One Dies Alone (NODA) is an interprofessional volunteering organization. Our mission is to provide compassionate companionship for patients at Jefferson hospitals who would otherwise be alone during their final moments of life. Moreover, our service provides benefits to the nurses, friends, and family members who find comfort in knowing that their patient or loved one is not alone during this time. After nurses have determined a need for our services, volunteers, if available, can sign up in shifts of self-assigned length to be at the bedside of the patient. During our time at the bedside, we offer our supportive presence by reading books or poetry, playing music, and/or simply sitting with the patient. Volunteers receive training and are welcome to our regular seminars covering end-of-life care and related topics. We hold group meetings to discuss experiences and support each other. We welcome anyone in the Jefferson community to join our organization. There are no dues or fees required. Questions? Reach out to noda@students.jefferson.edu.

In this in-person arts-based workshop, participants will explore ways to find light in the darkness, become more comfortable with discomfort, and seek support. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC, and Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance, and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Presented by the Expressive Media Collection Film Library
(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Join a virtual screening of Art Therapy: The Movie, a documentary that follows practitioners doing art therapy in different ways and with different communities, all around the globe. After the screening, a panel of special guests, including Jefferson's own Rachel Brandoff, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LCAT, an assistant professor and coordinator of the Art Therapy Concentration in Community and Trauma Counseling, will discuss the film and their relationships to art therapy.

About the Film
Art Therapy: The Movie is an overview of the field of art therapy through definitions and examples of what art therapy means to different practitioners and patients in a wide variety of settings. The film explores diverse ways of thinking about and doing art therapy. It shows professionals working with various populations in the United States and in other parts of the world. Art therapists and clients discuss their understanding and relationship with art therapy, the art, and the artist. Work with individuals and groups is demonstrated, sharing stories of the creative process in both personal and communal healing. These vivid tales remind us of the power and privilege of our creative voices and their potential to bridge divides, whether naturally occurring or created by human beings.

November 2021

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Please join us as we reflect back on 2021 and share inspiring messages, stories and moments of gratefulness for one another! 

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz, who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C, and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

Soundtrack to Your Life with Josh Robinson & JeffHELP CHATT

We all have a soundtrack that marks the many chapters of our lives. Teaching artist Josh Robinson and members from Jefferson student group JeffHELP CHATT will facilitate a reflection through your musical past, your stories, and the role music has played throughout your life. The workshop uses music as a vehicle to help participants connect to others and reconnect to themselves. Participants will be guided to reflect on the meaning of various songs in their lives and how music has helped them through both positive and negative experiences.

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health and JeffHELP CHATT.

JeffHELP CHATT is a program designed by students for students at Thomas Jefferson University to promote mental health awareness and discussion about mental health. CHATT members are trained to serve as peer listeners for Jeff students who would like to talk about current concerns. Additionally, CHATT members work together and with staff to organize campus-wide social events that promote wellness.

Presented by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Behind every work of figurative art there is a model whose own artistic skills were essential in that work's creation. However, despite being visible as the subjects of these works, life models are nearly always overlooked in their role as active agents in the artistic process, and are seen instead as "mercenary drawing instruments." 

More Than Life Drawing will feature 90 minutes of drawing time with live, discussion-style interviews with participating figure models. These sessions will showcase not only the stories of the figure models who inspire us, but will also position the practice of life modeling as active, artistic, and activistic.

Bring your charcoal, pencils, and paint and join us for a lively night of drawing, learning, and fun!

DocNights, the Jefferson Humanities & Health collaboration with the Philadelphia Film Society, continues this fall with a new programming focus: environmental justice. Join us for our second film screening and talkback, featuring the documentary Gather.

About the Film
Gather is an intimate portrait of the growing movement amongst Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political, and cultural identities through food sovereignty, while battling the trauma of centuries of genocide.

Gather follows Nephi Craig, a chef from the White Mountain Apache Nation (Arizona), opening an indigenous café as a nutritional recovery clinic; Elsie Dubray, a young scientist from the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation (South Dakota), conducting landmark studies on bison; and the Ancestral Guard, a group of environmental activists from the Yurok Nation (Northern California), trying to save the Klamath river.

About the Talkback
Following the screening, Twila Cassadore and Nephi Craig, two people featured in the documentary, will join us via Zoom for a film talkback, moderated by Rabiya Bower, MHSc, RD, LDN, Coordinator, MS in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice Program, Teaching Instructor, Jefferson College of Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University.

In this virtual workshop, participants will be invited to engage in a variety of practices designed to lower stress and anxiety. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston, MT-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance, and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC).

Join the opening night for Autopilot, an exhibition of sculptural and poetic reflections by second year medical student Sarah Muche. The works tell a story from Sarah's time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fluctuating mental health, sculpture gave the artist a vehicle to explore her vulnerability. The exhibit will be on display through November 29.

Explore the ways in which a drawing practice can bring balance to your healthcare studies or career. Artist and cardiologist Nazanin Moghbeli, MD, FACC, uses art to inspire, decompress, and deepen curiosity about the human body and medicine. Join Dr. Moghbeli for a workshop that will build on this wisdom to expand participants’ observational skills, promote self-care, and encourage burnout prevention. All drawing abilities and experiences are welcome! This workshop will discuss basic drawing techniques, composition, subject matter, three-dimensionality, and tips for forming a daily sketchbook practice.

Materials will be available for pick-up prior to the workshop, including: a small sketchbook and portable pocket version, drawing pencils, and eraser.

About the instructor: Nazanin Moghbeli, MD, FACC, is an Iranian-American artist and cardiologist, and the director of the Cardiac Care Unit at Einstein Medical Center. Dr. Moghbeli is the current Humanities Artist-in-Residence. 

Play reading: For Once by Tim Price (Wales).

Teenage Sid and his parents struggle to navigate their new reality when an accident shatters their peaceful lives in a sleepy rural village.

Inis Nua’s 2021-22 Reading Series: Healing and Hope presents three moving and funny plays that shine a light on how we as people find connection, community, and meaning even in the darkest of times.

Akhil Reed Amar – Three Slices of Jefferson: 1776, 1801, and 1826

Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, joins the Jefferson Humanities Forum to explore three critical moments in the life of Thomas Jefferson, based on excerpts from his new book The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840. Professor Amar teaches constitutional law in both Yale College and Yale Law School. After graduating from Yale College, summa cum laude, in 1980, and from Yale Law School in 1984, and clerking for then Judge (now Justice) Stephen Breyer, Amar joined the Yale faculty in 1985 at the age of 26. He is the author of more than a hundred law review articles and several books, most notably The Bill of Rights (1998, winner of the Yale University Press Governors’ Award), America’s Constitution (2005, winner of the ABA’s Silver Gavel Award), America’s Unwritten Constitution (2012, named one of the year’s 100 best nonfiction books by The Washington Post), and The Constitution Today (2016, named one of the year’s top ten nonfiction books by Time magazine).

Forum Scholar: Evan Laine, JD, MA, Director, Associate Professor, Law & Society Program, College of Humanities & Sciences and Faculty Director, Arlen Specter Center.

New this year, each Forum event will have an accompanying Forum Scholar, a Jefferson faculty member with a relevant focus of academic inquiry, who will generate resources to contextualize and complement the Forum speaker. Explore the contextual resources compiled by Professor Evan Laine on the Jefferson Humanities Forum page.

This event is co-sponsored by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the College of Humanities & Sciences as part of their Dietrich V. Asten Lecture Series.

During 2021-2022, the Jefferson Humanities Forum speaker series will bring a handful of multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme Origins. 

Please note: This in-person event is open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff. The event will also be live-streamed as a Zoom webinar open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff, and public viewers. When you register through Eventbrite, Jefferson community members can choose an "in-person" or "livestream" ticket, while members of the public can reserve a "livestream" ticket. All registrants will receive the Zoom link for the livestream, regardless of what option you indicate.

October 2021

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz, who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution, they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C, and Kathleen Mechler, MD. 

Over the past year and a half, many of us have become more aware of the manifestations and impact of racism in our society. We have struggled to begin to dismantle and transform the systems that uphold racism, which can feel overwhelming, angering, and painful. During the Story Slam, Jefferson faculty, students, and alumni will share five-minute stories exploring the theme “A Step Forward: Moving From Awareness to Anti-Racism in Healthcare” and help us consider how we can create change and move forward during a time of growing attention to racism and disparities; stand with each other for social justice and health equity; and ultimately, care for our patients, our communities, our families, and ourselves. Following the stories, attendees will be invited to join brief small group discussions and share reflections and goals for the future.

Featured Storytellers

  • Renea Berry, BSN, RN, Nurse Clinical Coordinator, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Family and Community Medicine, Jefferson Family Medicine Associates
  • Iris Burns, MPH, OTD, Class of ’22, Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Steven Herrine, MD, Professor of Medicine, Vice Dean, Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Medical Education, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
  • Amber E. King, PharmD, BCPS, FNAP, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Jefferson College of Pharmacy
  • Ana Maria Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, FRCP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
  • Danielle Snyderman, MD, CMD, Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine

Moderated by Nethra Ankam, MD, JeffMD Wellness Thread Director, Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Co-presented by Jefferson Humanities & Health, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (JCIPE).

In this virtual workshop, we will use writing and art in the service of self-expression and empathic connection. Facilitated by Sondra Rosenberg, ATR-BC.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care Series

In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance, and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC). Pre-registration required. 

Tune in for the Experience, Art & Health panel, part of the 2nd Annual International Neurodiversity & the Built Environment Symposium, featuring the following presentations, and a discussion between all the panel participants: 

  • Art and Health Interventions – Transferring Mediated Aesthetic Experiences From the Gallery/Museum to Healthcare - Lyn Godley & Anita Kocsis
  • Art Therapy for the Neurodiverse - Rachel Brandoff & Reina Lombardi
  • The Grey Area Between Autism and Immersive Environments - Autisarian Network, Lonnie Smith

About the International Neurodiversity & the Built Environment Symposium: Immersive Experiences

Building upon last year's inaugural Neurodiversity Symposium, this year’s dialogue focuses on immersive experiences, responsive environments, spatial interactions, and experimental evaluative and physiological measuring tools and criteria. It also includes advocacy, spatial and social guidelines, and bottom-up and organic initiatves. 

These serial events are intensely cross-disciplinary and aim toward critical interactions addressing all-inclusive ways for inhabiting and perceiving our environments. They aim to stimulate international dialogue amongst designers, artists, medical field experts, tech companies, educational institutions, self-advocates, and caregivers.

This event is organized by Severino Alfonso and Loukia Tsafoulia as part of the Synesthetic Research and Design Lab, along with Dr. Wendy Ross and Sabra Townsend from the Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, Jefferson Health. 

Open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff.

 Join a DEI Journal Club discussion, facilitated by JCLS graduate students, exploring themes surrounding representation in STEM through excerpts from Yaa Gyasi’s newest novel, Transcendent Kingdom. Reading of the provided sample chapter (Chapter 14) is encouraged but not necessary to attend or participate!

Access the audiobook

About the DEI Journal Club

The DEI Journal Club is a safe and accountable space for the community to come together monthly to engage in active discussion about relevant diversity topics that challenge our current worldviews, in order to increase inclusivity, equity, and belonging in the life sciences and our respective communities (classrooms, labs, offices, etc.).

Questions? Or want to get involved? Contact JCLSDEIJournalClub.

Yaa Gyasi is the author of Homegoing, one of the most celebrated debuts of 2016. A riveting, kaleidoscopic novel, Homegoing is a story of race, history, ancestry, love, and time that traces the descendants of two sisters torn apart in eighteenth-century Africa across three hundred years in Ghana and America. Her follow-up novel, Transcendent Kingdom, is a raw and intimate novel about a Ghanaian family in Alabama that layers themes of loss, mental illness, and representation in STEM fields – challenging our notions of who or what a scientist is, and how they might look or think. Born in Ghana and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Gyasi is a graduate of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop and lives in Berkeley, California. She is the winner of the National Book Critics Circle John Leonard Prize, the PEN/Hemingway Award for Best First Novel, and was a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize.

Forum Scholar: Marcella McCoy-Deh, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences, Director, Philadelphia University Honors Institute at Thomas Jefferson University. 

New this year, each Forum event will have an accompanying Forum Scholar, a Jefferson faculty member with a relevant focus of academic inquiry, who will generate resources to contextualize and complement the Forum speaker. Explore the contextual resources compiled by Dr. McCoy-Deh on the Jefferson Humanities Forum page.

Co-presented with the Philadelphia University Honors Institute at Thomas Jefferson University.

During 2021-2022, the Jefferson Humanities Forum speaker series will bring a handful of multidisciplinary scholars and thinkers to investigate the theme Origins.

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the Well, What Were You Wearing? exhibit, victim-blaming, and supporting survivors of sexual assault.

The panel will be joined by:

  • Kat Cambareri, MPH, Jefferson College of Population Health, Class of 2019
  • Steve DiDonato, PhD, Associate Professor, Jefferson College of Nursing, Co-director, Jefferson Trauma Education Network
  • Monique Howard, EdD, MPH, Senior Director of Women’s Health Initiatives, Center for Global Women’s Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
  • Susan Sorenson, PhD, Director, Ortner Center on Violence & Abuse
  • Katie Vodzak, JD, Title IX Coordinator, Thomas Jefferson University

Moderated by Rosie Frasso, PhD, Director, Master of Public Health Program, Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University.

About the Exhibit
Jefferson Humanities & Health is partnering with the Jefferson College of Population Health to present Well, What Were You Wearing? This exhibition of photos by MPH graduate Kat Cambareri explores victim-blaming and sexual assault. Cambareri’s ongoing project has been featured in Time magazine and HuffPost. The exhibit is on display for Jefferson students, faculty, and staff in Eakins Lounge: Monday, October 4 & Tuesday, October 5, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and Wednesday, October 6 & Thursday, October 7, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Attendees will be invited to share anonymous reflections on the work.

About the Panelists
Kat Cambareri, MPH, is a JCPH graduate living and working in Philadelphia. She currently works as a clinical research coordinator and is enjoying working on clinical trials in the pediatric population. Outside of work, she spends time with friends and family, and loves cooking, creating art, hiking, and exploring Philly.

Stephen DiDonato, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Jefferson College of Nursing and the co-Director of the Jefferson Trauma Education Network (J-TEN) at Thomas Jefferson University. He holds his Master’s Degree in Counseling from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his PhD in International Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. DiDonato has extensive experience in training and consulting with behavioral health and medical departments, to enhance the health and vibrancy of the workforce. Dr. DiDonato’s clinical expertise is working with children, families, and communities who have been exposed to potentially traumatic events, with a primary focus on child sexual abuse victims. Dr. DiDonato’s research is primarily focused on how providers and students adherence to myths, implicit stereotypes, and restricted stereotypes influence engagement with clients/patients and families. Dr. DiDonato also focuses his scholarly inquiry on program evaluation (higher education and training models).

Monique Howard, EdD, MPH, is the Senior Director of Women’s Health Initiatives at Penn Nursing’s Center for Global Women’s Health (CGWH). Dr. Howard has been a public health practitioner with a focus on women’s health for over 25 years. She has led a statewide female-specific AIDS service organization in New Jersey, a maternal and child health organization in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the New Jersey Department of Women’s Health, and most recently, WOAR, Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center (formerly known as Women Organized Against Rape). Dr. Howard is a thought leader on issues that impact women and communities. Throughout her career, Dr. Howard has advocated for consumers and service providers and promoted systems to increase access and quality of care for women. She is committed to providing programming and services that increase the health and well-being of women and their families.

Susan B. Sorenson, PhD, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has devoted her career to the topic of violence against women. She was part of the research team that first documented that the person most likely to sexually assault a woman is a man she knows, often one she cares about. Sorenson, with over 150 publications to her credit, taught the first violence prevention course in a school of public health in the nation. Her most recent work, After Campus Sexual Assault: A Guide for Parents (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021), is a book for students as they are deciding whether and what to tell a parent about having been assaulted, parents who have received the news, helpers (therapists, campus staff members, etc.), and parents who are all-in on preparing themselves for their daughter going off to college.

Katie Colgan Vodzak, JD, is the Title IX Coordinator for Thomas Jefferson University. Her focus across Jefferson is educating our community about sex and gender-based misconduct, providing information, resources, and options to those affected, and coordinating institutional response to these types of incidents to address the concerns and prevent their recurrence. Prior to joining Jefferson, Ms. Vodzak served in a similar role as Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance at Drexel University, and previously spent a number of years investigating and prosecuting sexual assaults, intimate partner violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. Ms. Vodzak more recently served as a co-chair of the PA Office of Attorney General’s working group on Campus Sexual Assault and has trained numerous Title IX investigators in the region on conducting trauma-informed investigations.

Moderator
Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD, is the director of the Master of Public Health program, and a professor in Jefferson's College of Population Health. Her expertise in qualitative methods focuses on traditional and alternative data sources and data collection approaches, including, but not limited to, arts informed research, walking interviews, photo-elicitation, and consensus-deriving group approaches. Her recent work focuses on the intersection of art and research as a tool for advocacy and education.

Join a conversation with Deirdre Cooper Owens, PhD, the Charles & Linda Wilson Professor in the History of Medicine and Director of the Humanities in Medicine Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Director of the Program in African American History at The Library Company of Philadelphia. Professor Cooper Owens is the author of Medical Bondage: Race, Gender and the Origins of American Gynecology (University of Georgia Press, 2018). In her book, she investigates the relationship between chattel slavery and modern gynecology in the U.S., retelling the stories of Black enslaved women and Irish immigrant women whose lives were shaped by exploitative medical research. Professor Cooper Owens highlights the role of structural racism in the achievements of pioneering American doctors, including James Marion Sims, who received a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1835. 

Materials
Discussion group participants are asked to watch Prof. Cooper Owens’ recorded lecture in advance (Total length: 1 hour to view recorded lecture; begin at approximately 8 minutes after introductions, and end at 1 hour 07 minutes).

  • Watch: Deirdre Cooper Owens, PhD, on Medical Bondage: Race, Gender and the Origins of American Gynecology at UC Berkeley on Feb. 21, 2020. 
  • Optional Reading: Read Chapter 1 of Medical Bondage, available on Canvas. To access the reading, visit the Anti-Racism and Racial Justice Resources page in the DEI Resources Module in the Jefferson Humanities Health Canvas page. Instructions to access Canvas below.

To access the registration link, participants must visit the Anti-Racism in Health Focus Discussion: Medical Bondage page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas.

Presented by Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement at Jefferson (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Filmmaker Joel Leso and researcher Connie Watson, PhD, will help attendees explore the impact our biases have and teach the skills needed to disrupt them so that we can be more inclusive.

Objectives:

  1. Understand what unconscious bias is.
  2. Explore the impact our biases have on own lives and the people around us – even if they’re outside our conscious awareness.
  3. Learn skills to disrupt our biases so that we can be more inclusive.

“Let’s Talk” is a Diversity & Inclusion workshop series that opens the opportunity for conversation on any D&I topic. Each workshop is designed to address the educational and awareness needs of the Jefferson Enterprise in regards to topics such as unconscious bias, systemic racism, race in America, LGBTQ competence, gender bias, health equity, and much more.

To access the registration link, participants must visit the Let's Talk page in the Event Links module of the Jefferson Humanities & Health organization on Canvas. 

Jefferson Humanities & Health is partnering with the Jefferson College of Population Health to present Well, What Were You Wearing?, an exhibition of photos by MPH graduate Kat Cambareri, exploring victim-blaming and sexual assault. Cambareri’s ongoing project has been featured in Time magazine and HuffPost. Attendees will be invited to share anonymous reflections on the work.

Panel Discussion
On Wednesday, October 6, 6:00 p.m., join a virtual panel discussion exploring the Well, What Were You Wearing? exhibit and the themes it raises with the artist, experts in the field, and researchers. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

Reading/Listening:

This week, the Health Humanities Reading Group explores the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cells, taken and used without her knowledge, have played a role in modernity as we know it: from vaccines to medicine to space travel. Lacks’ story is unique but also representative of the pervasive mistreatment of Black people by institutions of medicine, science, education, and healthcare.

Special guest discussant: Ana Mari­a Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor and Vice Chair, Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Join a guided tour of Fairmount Water Works, former water-pumping station for the city of Philadelphia, and presently a hub of innovative water and watershed education programming in the region. The tour will provide an overview of the history of water systems, water treatment, and Philadelphia’s water and sewer systems. The experience will also highlight themes from the current exhibition on display at FWW: Pool: A Social History of Segregation (POOL), a multidisciplinary museum exhibition exploring the history and contemporary implications of segregated swimming in America. POOL will investigate the role of public pools in the United States, with the goal of deepening understanding of the connection between water, social justice, and public health.

Presented by Medicine+Music
(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*).

Medicine+Music is delighted to invite all wind players, singers, as well as anyone interested in learning to maximize the effectiveness of their speech, to a workshop on the anatomy of sound production. The workshop will be given by Mr. Keith Underwood, master flutist and educator. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Dr. Susan Rosenthal, at Susan.Rosenthal@jefferson.edu.

About the Facilitator
Keith Underwood has been an active and acclaimed flutist in New York musical life for three decades. He has appeared extensively with the New York Chamber Symphony, the Orpheus Ensemble, the Orchestra of St. Luke's, and the New York Philharmonic. Renowned as one of the most sought-after flute teachers in the world, Professor Underwood's former students play with America's major orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony, and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Professor Underwood is frequently asked to give master classes throughout the United States, including Julliard, Manhattan School of Music, and Eastman.

September 2021

Percussionist and Humanities visiting instructor Josh Robinson invites you to "Drum It Out!" This interactive workshop uses drumming as a coping tool, a vehicle for healthy expression and emotional release, and a fun way to connect with others in an authentic and engaging way. A pair of drumsticks will be available for pick-up leading up to the workshop. Alternatively, participants can use found objects such as wooden spoons, dowels to make noise on buckets, or trash bins.

About the facilitator: Josh Robinson is a professional percussionist, teaching artist, and drum facilitator. He has been a visiting instructor in the Humanities at Thomas Jefferson University for the past four years and the former Humanities Artist-in-Residence. For the past 19 years, Josh has used his skills, expertise, and life experience to share drumming and the many gifts it brings with thousands of people each year around the country. 

The “unusually versatile, reliably exhilarating new-music ensemble” (The New York Times) Alarm Will Sound makes its Penn Live Arts debut, returning to our city after a 12-year hiatus with the local premiere of Ten Thousand Birds by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy® Award-winning composer John Luther Adams. This experiential, open-ended collection of pieces is based on native birdsong, encompassing a range of colors and instrumentation and newly informed by actual migration patterns tracked at the Morris Arboretum. The audience roves freely around the space and the performers, experiencing the music from many perspectives as human creativity and natural phenomena blur. 

Explore the ways in which a drawing practice can bring balance to your healthcare studies or career. Artist and cardiologist Nazanin Moghbeli, MD, FACC, uses art to inspire, decompress, and deepen curiosity about the human body and medicine. Join Dr. Moghbeli for a workshop that will build on this wisdom to expand participants’ observational skills, promote self-care, and encourage burnout prevention. All drawing abilities and experiences are welcome! This workshop will discuss basic drawing techniques, composition, subject matter, three-dimensionality, and tips for forming a daily sketchbook practice.

Materials will be available for pick-up prior to the workshop, including: a small sketchbook and portable pocket version, drawing pencils, eraser, and two printed images. This workshop is open to all Jefferson faculty, staff, and students.

About the instructor: Nazanin Moghbeli, MD, FACC is an Iranian-American artist and cardiologist, and the director of the Cardiac Care Unit at Einstein Medical Center. Dr. Moghbeli is the current Humanities Artist-in-Residence.

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

Join us to discuss the importance of both hope and ambivalence as it impacts spirituality and connection in medicine. Panelists to include: Dr. Andrew Newberg, Sister Cathe Shoulberg and more!

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format. 

Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD.

In this outdoor, nature-based workshop, participants will use art, movement and mindfulness practices to anchor in purpose and meaning, set intentions for the upcoming year, connect with themselves, each other and the natural world. Facilitated by Peggy Tileston and Sondra Rosenberg.

About the Creative Approaches to Self-Care series
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by an arts therapist and music therapist, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion. 

Co-presented with the Student Counseling Center (SCC). Pre-registration required. 

Presented by WHYY and the Pulse
(*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

In 1899, W. E. B. DuBois published his groundbreaking book, The Philadelphia Negro, the first sociological study of an African American community in the United States. The study would go on to shape the field of social science for decades to come. More than 100 years after its publication, racial health disparities persist, and Philadelphia is the “poorest” of the largest U.S. cities, with almost a quarter of residents living in poverty.

A growing body of research shows that social factors like housing, education and income shape the health of people in countless ways, but how has our understanding of the health of our cities changed over the last century? Join WHYY & The Pulse for a conversation about the legacy of The Philadelphia Negro and the path towards more equitable cities.

Panelists:

  • Elijah Anderson, Sterling Professor of Sociology & African American Studies - Yale University
  • Tawandaa Austin, Community Health Worker - Penn Medicine
  • Sharrelle Barber, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics - Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health & Inaugural Director of the Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements and Population Health Equity
  • Tayyib Smith, Co-founder - Little Giant Creative: 7th Ward Tribute

Hosted by: Sojourner Ahébée, Commonwealth Fund Health Equity Fellow - The Pulse

Introduction by: Tukufu Zuberi, Professor of Sociology - University of Pennsylvania

Support for this event, and for WHYY's coverage on health equity issues comes from the Commonwealth Fund.

Presented by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (*This is not our event! We are just spreading the word!*)

For this special Art at Noon get an inside look at the African American Museum in Philadelphia's exhibition Anna Russell Jones: The Art of Design with curator Huewayne Watson. This lecture will focus on Anna Russell Jones within the wider visual domain in the twentieth century whereby dispossessed African-descended people in the U.S. created visual cultures—invoking real and imagined lineages and ancestries—through life-long study and work in the arts.

With special guest Dr. Anna O Marley, this lecture will tie into the exhibition Women in Motion: 150 Years of Women's Artistic Networks at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Anna Russell Jones (1902-1995), was the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, now Moore College of Art and Design, and an alumna of the anatomy department of Howard Medical School, now Howard University College of Medicine. She was known to contemporaries as a talented artist, working in wallpaper and carpet design, as a civil service illustrator, and freelance artist.

DocNights, the Jefferson Humanities & Health collaboration with Philadelphia Film Society, reboots this fall with a new programming focus: environmental justice. Join us for our first event of the year, a screening and talkback about the film Mossville: When Great Trees Fall.

About the film
Mossville, Louisiana: A once-thriving community founded by formerly enslaved and free people of color, and an economically flourishing safe haven for generations of African American families. Today it’s a breeding ground for petrochemical plants and their toxic black clouds. Many residents are forced from their homes, and those that stay suffer from prolonged exposure to contamination and pollution. Amid this chaos and injustice stands one man who refuses to abandon his family’s land - and his community.

About the Talkback
Following the screening, special guests Alexander Glustrom, Director/Editor of Mossville, and Daniel Bennett, Producer of Mossville, will join us via Zoom for a film talkback, moderated by Denine Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Instructor, Master of Public Health Program, Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University.

August 2021

Continue the conversation about race and medicine following Professor Dorothy Roberts’ Berkowitz Humanism in Medicine lecture. Join a small-group discussion, facilitated by a Jefferson faculty member, to debrief with classmates about ways to integrate the history of race and medicine into both the present moment, and your future professional practice.

Jefferson faculty facilitators:

  • Denine Crittendon, MPH, PhD(c), Instructor, Master of Public Health Program, Jefferson College of Population Health.
  • Dimitri Papanagnou, MD, Associate Dean, Faculty Development, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Please note: These discussions will take place in-person, in the Hamilton Building on Jefferson's Center City campus. Participants will be randomly assigned to a small group and notified of the room number leading up to the event; lunch provided.

Dorothy Roberts, JD, internationally acclaimed scholar, activist, and social critic, is the 14th Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law & Sociology, and the Raymond Pace & Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights at University of Pennsylvania. Professor Dorothy Roberts has written and lectured extensively on the interplay of gender, race, and class in legal issues concerning reproduction, bioethics, and child welfare. Her latest book, Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-create Race in the Twenty-First Century, documents the rise of a new racial politics that relies on re-inventing the political system of race as a biological category written in our genes and obscures deepening racial inequities in a supposedly post-racial society.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College is grateful to Mr. Ed Berkowitz and his family for the generous donation that has established the Berkowitz Humanism in Medicine Lectureship. The Berkowitz Humanism in Medicine Lectureship will help engage Jefferson’s students and physicians on various areas in medical humanism, including topics that will enhance their compassion toward patients, improve their communication skills with patients, and allow for a better understanding about how to practice medicine with a patient-centered vision of delivering improved humanistic medical care.

Join us to celebrate the publication of Music as Care: Artistry in the Hospital Environment with author Sarah Adams Hoover, DMA, Associate Dean for Innovation, Interdisciplinary Partnerships and Community Initiatives, Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University. Music as Care provides an overview of professional musicians working within the healthcare system and explores programs that bring music into the environment of the hospital. A new resource in the field of Arts in Health, Music as Care considers what happens when musicians interact with the clinical environment as artists, and how musical careers and artistic practices can develop through work in a hospital setting. This event will also focus on the role of music and improvisation in health professions education and how the incorporation of music can promote professional development for healthcare providers, as well as patient-centered care. 

Professor Hoover will be joined in conversation by Philadelphia-area practitioners including Josh Robinson, percussionist and 2019-2021 Jefferson Humanities & Health Artist-in-Residence, and Mary Javian, Chair of Career Studies, Curtis Institute of Music. Moderated by Amanda Finegold Swain, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, and Megan Voeller, Director of Humanities, Office of Student Life & Engagement and Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University. 

Following a presentation and panel discussion of concepts from Music as Care, attendees will be invited to join breakout groups led by the panelists for demonstrations and/or further discussion of ways to integrate music into clinical and educational settings in healthcare.

Anna Russell Jones: The Art of Design is on display at the African American Museum in Philadelphia until September 12, and Jefferson Humanities & Health has some tickets to offer to Jefferson students to use on your own time!

About the Exhibit
Anna Russell Jones: The Art of Design highlights the diverse treasures of AAMP’s permanent collection. Anna Russell Jones (1902-1995), was the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, now Moore College of Art and Design, and an alumna of the anatomy department of Howard Medical School, now Howard University College of Medicine. She was known to contemporaries as a talented artist, working in wallpaper and carpet design, as a civil service illustrator, and freelance artist.

The exhibition surveys original art and design by Jones, displaying the intricacies of the artist’s practice and highlighting significant archival materials from this rare collection; illustrating her interest in and the importance of African American history and civil rights, commitment to public service, and fascination with medical practice.

Designing Motherhood at the Mütter Museum – Student Ticket Giveaway
Reserve a free ticket by Sunday, August 8 at designing-motherhood-tix.eventbrite.com
Tickets are for Jefferson students only; supplies are limited, first come first served. Students will be contacted about how to pick up their ticket on Jefferson's Center City campus the second week of August. 

Designing Motherhood—exhibition, book, and series of public programs—is a first-of-its-kind consideration of the arc of human reproduction through the lens of design. The Designing Motherhood exhibit is currently on display at the Mütter Museum and Jefferson Humanities & Health has some tickets to offer to Jefferson students to to use on your own time!

About the Exhibit
Design impacts each step in the arc of human reproduction, from the intrauterine device that prevents the process of fertilizing an egg, to the midwife who advocates for culturally appropriate care or the breast pump flange that helps produce, gather, and store breast milk.

But who shapes these designs? Some of the objects and systems you’ll encounter in this exhibition are the product of medical knowledge that was once guarded, like the forceps, while others have been shaped by dire need and collective political will, like the at-home abortion kit and women’s health zines. Still others have been conceived by feminist engineers frustrated at the lack of innovation in designs for reproductive health, such as the twenty-first-century silicone pessary.

While being born is a universal human experience, the designs that shape it are not. Many remain taboo, rarely considered, and inaccessible to many. Designing Motherhood invites you to consider why and how we have developed designs to facilitate reproductive health, and to ponder the political, economic, and social implications of how we medicalize reproduction. These are not just women’s issues. They are human issues. They matter to us all.

July 2021

The pandemic has brought about numerous changes for all staff.  Join us for this Schwartz Center Rounds as our panelists discuss how their roles has changed over the last year and how they’ve navigated these changes amidst a pandemic.

Schwartz Center Rounds are humanism in medicine events developed by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center to support and advance compassion in healthcare. They are named after Ken Schwartz who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and came to realize that what matters most during an illness is the human connection between patients and their caregivers, that “the smallest acts of kindness” made “the unbearable bearable.” These Schwartz Rounds create a forum and level playing field where providers from diverse disciplines discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. In our institution they are held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon, formerly in a large conference room but now in a virtual format.

Presented by the Cancer Support and Welcome Center at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center; Co-facilitators: Lisa Capparella, MSS, LCSW, OSW-C and Kathleen Mechler, MD.

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