January 10, 2020 | Downers Grove, IL
Members of the Midwestern University community participate in a painting night organized by the Arts in Medicine Club.
The newly formed Arts in Medicine Club launched an inaugural all-campus gallery exhibit featuring 48 pieces of art from students, faculty, and staff on Midwestern University’s Downers Grove Campus. The club was founded by students from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) and the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) and aims to be an outlet for the campus community to express their artistic interests.
“As MWU professional students, we’ve proven to be intellectually savvy, science-minded individuals. That said, there are many other passions we entered our professional careers with, that due to our rigorous schedules, fell to the wayside. Our goal is to not only showcase these talents, but also grant students the opportunity to engage with other like-minded individuals who share a love for the arts and humanities, or simply want to learn more,” said Emily Orals, (CCOM 2022), one of the founders of the organization. Other students involved in the creation of the club include Robin Schneider (CCOM 2022), Eliana Betzios (CDMI 2022), Annika Evenhouse (CCOM 2022), and Anna Ciupinski (CDMI 2022).
The artwork is currently on display in the Littlejohn Hall Library and the club plans to offer additional artistic opportunities for the campus community. “I truly believe the arts and humanities play an integral role in effective healthcare practice. In fact, research has shown that incorporating the arts and humanities into healthcare practice improves many vital skill sets such as physical exam observations and improved reflective thinking required to effectively diagnose and treat patients,” Ms. Orals added.
The gallery exhibit is just one way that Midwestern University incorporates programs that nourish students’ intellectual curiosity, promote well-being, and stimulate personal growth into the rigorous coursework required of future health professionals.