In the Loop

News and views from across Mayo Clinic

September 9, 2014

Artist for a day (or more)

By In the Loop

art639It's no secret that Mayo Clinic employees are dedicated to meeting the needs of patients -- we live it, we breathe it, it's right there in the mission statement, and we all contribute in our own ways. But maybe there are days you dream of shaking things up a bit. If your dream involves a room full of people crowding around to admire your artistic talents, have we got an event for you. The Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine is accepting submissions of original art for its first-ever Mayo Clinic Employee Art Exhibit later this fall.

Entry into the public exhibit at Mayo Clinic in Rochester is open to artists who, in their other lives, are employees, volunteers, retirees and students. It will be held in Hage Atrium, Siebens Building, Nov. 4-17. And while the event may be the first of its kind, Paul Scanlon, M.D., medical director of Mayo's Center for Humanities in Medicine, tells us he's hoping it won't be the last. "Our programs in Humanities in Medicine are intended to benefit not only patients and their families but also the entire caregiver community," he tells us. "There are a great number of health care practitioners who have a whole other life -- whether it's in the arts or music or something else that they do -- and all of that is good for employee morale, for quality of life, for enjoying the workplace, and for providing a healthier work environment for all employees."

Tammy Adams, a nurse educator in Mayo's Cancer Education Program, says she's hoping the exhibit will give her an opportunity to not only show off works of art she's entered but also to shine a light on the programs and resources offered by her work area. "A lot of cancer patients and staff don't know about the Cancer Education Program and all the resources and sessions we have available," she says. "My hope is that through the exhibit, more patients and staff will be encouraged to check us out." Adams also says the idea behind the exhibit "validates the importance of creative interactions with patients."

If you're interested in brushing up on your skill and joining the fun, you can start by downloading an official entry form here. Just don't dawdle (but by all means, doodle), because the submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 19. For more information about the exhibit, including complete submission guidelines and requirements, contact the Center for Humanities in Medicine at humanitiesrochester@mayo.edu or call 507-284-5266.

Paint us a picture of your thoughts by sharing your comments below. And while you're there, don't hesitate to creatively share this story with others.

Tags: Cancer education program, Center for Humanities in Medicine, Dr. Paul Scanlon, Staff Stories

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