I was recently fortunate to showcase part of my work at the Regional Arts Council Photography Exhibition, where a selection of my work was highlighted for a month. Art and photography have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. At a very young age, what began with taking photos of everything I could with my mom’s phone evolved into a way to express how I see the world. I began to realize that other people seemed to connect with the photos I took, which, while surprising at first, made me want to explore more deeply how this might help people. Outreach was founded on selling my photographs to fund my mission, and it has evolved over time with support from others. More importantly, I have discovered that art is a catalyst for healing in medicine. A 2018 article in Health Views has been a guiding principle for me, and here is an excerpt I would like to share:
“The arts help make medical students become more thoughtful and listen carefully to a patient’s narrative of his/her symptoms, and this allows doctors to make a more informed diagnosis. Open communication between the doctor and patient helps the patient to understand his illness.”
The intertwining nature of art and medicine will continue to evolve, but I believe it is essential to healing. At a minimum, it allows one person to connect with another, which is a vital first step for any successful patient outcome.