2023-2024 Events

Isabella Johnson M1

Medical Arts Program Artist's Guild Fall 2023 Showcase | 09.18.23

The Medical Arts Program Artist’s Guild has returned with renewed vigor following a successful revival in early June. Our event this fall featured eleven captivating performances, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 60 medical students at the charming Kerrytown Concert House. Additionally, we proudly raised $120 in support of Music for Dementia, an organization committed to bringing musical joy to local memory care facilities. Beyond the numbers, the event kindled a warm sense of community among us, med students united by our shared passion for the arts.

Eight Nights at the Detroit Public Theatre | 10.22.23

Nine Medical Arts Program participants went to the Detroit Public Theatre to see "Eight Nights," a profound journey that follows the life of Rebecca Blum, a Holocaust survivor. Set during the eight nights of Hanukkah, the audience travels with her as she builds a family and a diverse community of loved ones. Followed by a post-show discussion with actress Sarah Winkler, one student noted how "meaningful it is to hear from people in the audience whose parents were survivors." The conversation continued at a local restaurant over pizza! This was an extremely successful continuation of MAP’s encouragement of participation in the arts outside of just Ann Arbor.

Are We Dreaming the Same Dream? Akropolis Reed Quintet at Rackham Auditorium | 11.12.23

Nineteen medical students attended the Ann Arbor-originated Akropolis Reed Quintet’s concert "Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?", an exhilarating performance that blurred the lines between classical, jazz, and contemporary music with the assistance of guest artists, jazz pianist Pascal Le Boeuf, and drummer Christian Euman. Representing various perspectives on the homogeneity of the American experience, this concert combined classic repertoire by George Gershwin with originally composed works by Le Boeuf. Afterwards, a post-show discussion was held with Akropolis members Tim Glockin and Matt Landry. The conversation focused largely on the power of listening to one another and the necessity to lead as an artist, and how that translates into medicine. One student wrote about how exciting and engaging it was to hear about the creative process of the musicians.

Painting Workshops with Dr. Lona Mody | 12.03.23 & 12.07.23

Sixteen medical students created their own acrylic paintings over two painting workshops led by Amanda Sanford Hickey Professor of Internal Medicine, Dr. Lona Mody, and arts educator Julee Li at the latter’s Corner Art Studio. Being open to students of all experience levels in painting, Dr. Mody and Julee created a supportive and encouraging environment for students to create under the theme "From Poetry to Painting." Students were invited to bring any prose or poetry that they connect with to use as inspiration for their work. One student’s poem by Emily Dickinson, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers,” brought them to reflect on “the responsibilities we have as future physicians to care for the spirits of our patients and help them remain hopeful even as they navigate trying circumstances.” This workshop was a lovely opportunity for medical students to momentarily step away from their normal routine and step outside of their comfort zone to be creative.

Martha Graham Dance Company | 02.18.24

Fourteen medical students attended the Martha Graham Dance Company’s performance at the Power Center for the Performing Arts. This performance consisted of three works: "Rodeo," choreographed in 1942 with a reorchestration of Aaron Copland’s original score for a bluegrass ensemble, offering an expanded view of the influence of black artists on American music and dance forms; "We The People," a powerful piece choreographed by Jamar Roberts, resident choreographer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; and finally, Martha Graham’s comedic final work, "Maple Leaf Rag." This diverse showing of dance works was inspiring and invigorating to watch! After the performance, an insightful discussion was held with Artistic Director Janet Eilber, where one student noted a “renewed sense of appreciation for the human body,” especially after speaking with Eilber about the rigor the dancers must endure to produce spectacular performances every night.

Blues for an Alabama Sky | 03.03.24

The Medical Arts Program had nine medical students attend Pearl Cleage's Blues for an Alabama Sky at the Detroit Public Theatre. The story features an idealistic young Black social worker laboring alongside her mentor, Margaret Sanger, to establish a family planning and women's health clinic in the heart of Harlem. An excellent post show discussion was held with Sarah Winkler, Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Detroit Public Theatre. One participant celebrated the work for its, "complicated medical nuances embedded in the play...targeting leading philosophical debates in the world right now". The post show discussion created a safe supportive space for participants to debrief on the powerful emotions brought up during the work. Yet another successful event at Detroit!

Tackás Quartet at Rackham Auditorium | 04.12.24

Eight medical arts students attended the incredible Tackás Quartet, regarded as one of the world’s premier string quartets, the exceptional Takács Quartet returned to Ann Arbor for a performance featuring work from Haydn, Ngwenyama, and Beethoven including a new work co-commissioned by the UMS. A phenomenal post show discussion was held where participants explored how the arts and medicine can transform one another. In particular one attendee noted the similar importance of working in a team, "In both music and medicine, you have to rely heavily on your peers if you want to reach your desired outcomes (no army of one!)". Medical Arts is extremely grateful for yet another fantastic conversation with these artists.

HZWP + MedArts with Christine Montross at Vinology | 04.18.24

On Thursday, April 18, the Medical Arts Program and the Helen Zell Writers’ Program held a jointly sponsor a dinner and social gathering for medical students and MFA students at Vinology, with guest speaker and Michigan alumnus Dr. Christine Montross. Both MD's and MFA's were asked to bring personal pieces of writing to present and read to demonstrate the incredible similarities and connections medicine and writing has! When asked about what connections could be made between medicine and writing, a medical arts participant responded,
"I think there are ways that writers look and think and approach the human existence that would be beneficial to explore more to inform my professional and personal practices. Sometimes there is also a rigidity and a one-dimensionality to medical practice that would benefit from the thoughtfulness and open-mindedness of the arts." Additionally, the power of language was discussed, in particular how the types of words used shape both the writer and reader's perspective.