Historical Reflections: The Medical Heritage Center Blog

Voices in Humanism

Patient

Vulnerable
with restless hair
snapped too-big gown
skin paper-thin
eyes searching for answers
hands outstretched
impatient promises
shakily given, easily broken
the clock and the IV pole
marking endless hours
time does not exist here.

Jessica Rutsky, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellow,
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Voices in Humanism Board

Voices in Humanism

Brian Fowler
OSU College of Medicine Class of 2022
The Rose That Grew From Concrete
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s law is wrong it
learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose the grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.

Artists: Phillip Anjum (photographer) and Elizabeth Auckley (painter)
Medium: Oil paint on printed canvas
Artist Statement: We are current medical students at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. For our Portrait Project, each student was first photographed ‘in their element’; in a space where they felt comfortable. The photos were then completely de-saturated and then printed on canvas to represent the depersonalization that medical school experience may instill as well as the constant disorientation that comes with embracing a completely new and uncertain world. The colors painted back onto the canvas represent the uniqueness of each individual that shines through the showcase of the human faces of future physicians who will be caring for patients across the country and the world.

Voices in Humanism

Snowbound
Our hilltop home in New Hampshire, surrounded by forest, allows for solitude and the quietness to ‘hear’ the wind and snow. Robert Frost, writing of his New Hampshire home, expresses best for me the experience of winter’s snow in the last lines from ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’:

The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Photographer:
Louise Dierker, MD, MPH, MM, MFA
OSU College of Medicine Class of 1967
Following a career in medicine as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Louise Dierker pursued her love of music, earning degrees in music composition.

Voices in Humanism

A Pavlova Voting Inspiration
“ The excitement over voting in the election inspired me to make pavlova as a way to celebrate with a treat!”
(Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova during the 1920s).

Grace Lee
Class of 2021, OSU College of Medicine
Voices in Humanism Board
Ether Arts Editorial Board

Voices in Humanism

CoronaFlower
(Actually known as a Maypop Purple Passion Flower)
“Nature Imitating science perhaps?”

Jody Glaser Sobol
Photographer
Medical Student Mom

Voices in Humanism

Régine Vincent
OSU College of Medicine Class of 2022

Defining Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive. And to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Dr. Maya Angelou

Artists: Phillip Anjum (photographer) and Elizabeth Auckley (painter)
Medium: Paint on printed canvas

Artist Statement: We are current medical students at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. For our Portrait Project, each student was first photographed ‘in their element’; in a space where they felt comfortable. The photos were then completely de-saturated and then printed on canvas to represent the depersonalization that medical school experience may instill as well as the constant disorientation that comes with embracing a completely new and uncertain world. The colors painted back onto the canvas represents the uniqueness of each individual that shines through the showcase of the human faces of future physicians who will be caring for patients across the country and the world.

Voices in Humanism

Sometimes I Have Some Feelings

Sometimes I have some feelings
Of so many different kinds
That make my heart ache
And give no peace of mind

The fears that I face
To leave home for just an hour
To enjoy the sun
To find a flower

After touchdowns it’s a meme,
During anthems you’re a traitor,
If you’re in a church it is pristine,
But towards Mecca deserves a crater,

What does it mean to kneel?
A tale as old as time
Not the way to protest, not ideal for the frontline,
But if it’s on a neck, it takes 4 days to be a crime

MLK not long ago,
X said the healing’s yet to begun
The last tea party sucked
Maybe this one will get it done

The month of May seemed to break the bough
To those who ignored the plight before:
Can you hear the voices now?

Jared Squires
Class of 2021

Voices in Humanism

Following Suit

I find it rather ironic
When one bulb burns out
And the rest on the string follow suit
Showing solidarity with their fallen comrade.

#37 went out today
Followed by the next 13
And I couldn’t help but ponder
That their circuitry remains intact
Filaments held tightly
Choosing not to draw current
Because no man left behind.

I know, the ones with parallel circuits don’t do that,
So you think I should buy those,
But I find them less metaphorical.

And it doesn’t sit well with my conscience
Letting #37 go out alone,
While the other 49 illuminate the blank sheet of paper
That’s been staring at me for the past 2 hours.

I’d rather face writer’s block in dim light
Surrounded by the quiet camaraderie of 14 burnt out bulbs.

Kaitlyn N. Tindall
4th Year Biology Major
Pre-Health Professions Specialization
President, Humanism in Medicine Undergraduate Section
The Ohio State University