be Still

Volume 1 Article 1

5-5-2016

Volume 1, Issue 1be Still

Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill

Part of the Creative Writing Commons, Fine Arts Commons, and the Medical HumanitiesCommons

This Full Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Osteopathic Medicine at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in beStill by an authorized editor of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact nsuworks@nova.edu.

Recommended CitationStill, be (2016) "Volume 1, Issue 1," be Still: Vol. 1 , Article 1.Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/vol1/iss1/1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL

Appreciative thanks to Dean Wallace, Patt Gateley, Lydia Acosta,Michele Gibney, Rosa de la Cruz, Ibett Yanez and Melissa Wallen.

This would not have happened without all of you.

MUSINGS FROM THE DEANDEAN ELAINE M. WALLACE, D.O.

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation defines humanism in medicine as “respectful and compassionaterelationships between physicians, as well as all other members of the healthcare team, and theirpatients. It reflects attitudes and behaviors that are sensitive to the values and the cultural andethnic backgrounds of others.”

Perhaps no branch of medicine better embodies humanism than osteopathic medicine. Webelong to a branch of medicine based on rendering care to the mind, body and spirit of ourpatients. We seek to understand where they came from, who they are, and what is important tothem and the circle of family and community that surrounds them. Equally important however, isthe mind, body and spirit of those who take care of patients. In an osteopathic community,patients and caretakers are not artificially separated – we are all one community, one world.

The College of Osteopathic Medicine embraces this world community and thus, has chosen toproduce a journal of medical humanities – reminding us all what is important to patients and tothose who support and care for them. This month’s journal looks at art in the lives of our students,faculty and patient caretakers. What you will discover as you appreciate the works of those whotook the time to submit art work is that we are surrounded by very talented colleagues – all ofwhom embody the true meaning of personal holism and osteopathic care.

Be still…..for a moment, and enjoy.

ARTIST STATEMENT: PATT GATELEY

As an artist working with oil and chalk color pastels, I am drawn toabstracting lines and shapes of movement. When working graphically,incorporating words and symbols, I strive to unify colors, imagery andlettering into a cohesiveness to convey a representational concept, asin the logo for be Still ~ a Journal of the Medical Humanities.

As a recipient of osteopathic manipulation, I am aware of the healingenergy (represented by the blue markings of movement in this logo)which enhances and aligns the energy of vitality represented by thered-orange within the human body. Thus, the emergence of thissymbolic logo for this journal.

JANET LYNN ROSEMAN, Ph.D.EDITOR IN CHIEF

The arts have always served humanity as a potent vehicle to nourish anduplift because they are an affirmation of life, imagination and creativity.In keeping with Dean Wallace’s vision for “wellness” across the NSUcommunity, welcome to the inaugural issue of the medical humanitiesjournal be Still. Forthcoming issues will explore a dedicated theme thatembraces the concept of the arts as medicine-to heal, soothe andinspire our souls.

This issue explores the theme of The Female Form in honor of the new artexhibition kindly presented by the director and curators of the worldrenown de la Cruz Collection at the Alvin Sherman Library.

The theme of “the female form” honors all the women in medicinewho have made great contributions and sacrifices in medicine andcontinue to inspire new generations. This issue explores the significanceof the signature of “the female form” widely interpreted by artists usingphotographs, original art, poetry, and sculpture and depicts thesignificance of how art can be a potent conduit for healing.

The de la Cruz Collection, a contemporary art space founded in 2009 byphilanthropists Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz, is pleased to collaborate with NSU’sCollege of Osteopathic Medicine for the first issue of be Still. In an effort toengage communities beyond the scope of the collections programming andexhibitions this journal serves as the bridge to connect art to medicine andencourages a conversation about the healing benefits of the visual arts. In 2015,the de la Cruz Collection began a program in tandem with NSU to explore howthe parallels of visual arts and observation can be used as an instrument to fill thehumanistic gaps between doctor and patient that currently exist. The primarypractice of patient observation has been significantly affected by a culture ofaccelerated modes of communication, scientific discovery and evolvingmethods of patient diagnosis and treatment procedures.

Art has long been proven to be a powerful medium for healing, disseminatinguniversal ideas and reflecting conditions which ultimately break downcommunication barriers. Medical students and faculty were asked to submit visualrepresentations that address the woman's form and were encouraged toconsider art as a tool for comforting and caring for future patients. This practiceencourages empathetic perspectives that can, in turn, be applied to the medicalstudent's future practice.

To further explore the topic, the de la Cruz Collection has also collaborated withNSU in organizing exhibitions considering the theme of observation and its positivecontributions to doctor-patient relationships. “Pink Powder”, currently on displayat the Alvin Sherman Library, creates a physical setting for students to explore thewoman's body as interpreted by various artists.

“Pink Powder” brings together a group of artists whose work addresses the femaleform with an unapologetic intensity. The images vary from the quiet andponderous to the raw and rebellious subverting the traditional role of the femalemuse within the canons of art history, literature, and popular culture. Worksranging from painting and photography to neon and fiber-based works expressan openness and agency towards action. The viewer is confronted with fantasiesof revisionist history, personal or otherwise, that unabashedly expose the romantic,self-indulgent and at times morbid desires of the female subject. Artists in theexhibition include: Kaye Donachie, Tracey Emin, Naomi Fisher, Birgit Megerle,Christoph Ruckhaberle and Ana Mendieta.

GUEST EDITORS:ROSA DE LA CRUZ, IBETT YANEZ &MELISSA WALLEN

CULTIVATION, ERUDITION, EDIFICATION

Ariel Lee has a BA in Fine Art fromUniversity of California, Santa Cruzand tends to use drawingmodalities (pen/ink, pencil/paper)or oil paint, and often is inspired bythe surrealist influence.

She is a third year medical studentat NSU-COM rotating throughBroward Health.

Cultivation, Erudition, Edification is anexercise of self-portraiture. Few careersare as all encompassing, and allconsuming as that as a physician.Becoming a physician is ametamorphosis, it changes who you areand becomes an intrinsic part of who youbecome. As a medical student, I ammeasured first by my intellect, and thenby my communication skills, socialcompetence and responsibility. In a way,I am somewhat disembodied by myprofession. Everyday life comes with amask on your face, bulky scrubsobscuring your gender and the epochalwhite coat spilling over with notes, booksand instruments. Gender becomesentirely inconsequential. That’s why, inthis piece, in place of the classic femaleform, there is a medical cross. It expressesthe duality of constantly sacrificing mybody to medicine while at the same timegiving me the freedom to be judged bywho I am intellectually in this field, withoutthe critique placed on the body so oftenseen in mainstream society. In medicine,the importance of my body has beeneclipsed by the importance of my mind.

However, just because I’m in a professionthat doesn’t rely as heavily on my genderdoesn’t mean that the weight of thefeminine ceases to exist. There are otherways, both subtle and blatant in which Ifeel the burden and joy of being awoman as well as a medical student. Forone, in this piece, the hair is flowing outand interconnecting with the knowledgethat is saturating the background. Shortlybefore I began the medical schoolinterview process I cut my hair shortbecause I knew I wouldn’t have the timeto style it in a way that would bedeemed professionally acceptable.Since that day at that first interview, Ihave not cut it again. It has now beenover three years worth of growth. When Ilook at myself in the mirror, I measure theperson I was then and the person I havebecome by my hair, which now flowsover my shoulders and almost down tomy waist. Not only is it a physicalchronology of hard work and timepassed, it’s a keepsake of femininity that Ican enjoy in the rare moments that I getto myself.

THOUG

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Finally, perhaps one of the greatestachievements and most potentiallytreacherous permutations of the female formis the ability to bring forth life. Despite so manyobstacles that have been overcome,pregnancy as a student physician is riddledwith roadblocks often in the form of deeplyrooted sexist and antiquated rules and beliefs.I know any number of my male classmateswho are married and whose wives are eitherpregnant or have children. When myclassmates go on rotations, or go to interview,they are not forced to disclose whether or notthey have a child on the way. They will not riskhaving their names struck from a list becausethey may have to take an absence to attendto their family. They will not face being passedover for their qualifications because of thepossibility that they may incur otherresponsibilities in the near future. But I do, andI am, and I will-- because one of the mostbeautiful and miraculous things my body cando has also become the biggest liability to mycareer and future success. I am asked tosacrifice my ability to secure a residency andsecure a job, or to delay and foregomotherhood.

This is something that many female medicalstudents face alone. I strongly believe thatsomething needs to be done in order tochange these practices, and here in theportrait can be seen a series of cracks wherethe uterus lies. It is a broken system, in greatneed of repair, it is a part of my life and I am apart of it.

I wanted to create this piece in order topresent the female form in a different light,one beyond the superficial we often see inadvertising, beyond the classic male gaze offemale portraiture, which relies so heavily onthe aesthetics of the physical body. In myclogs, with my hair pulled up and my surgicalcap on I am just as much a woman as thepatient I’m taking care of who’sbreastfeeding her child, or the sister whostands at bedside in her full makeup, skirt andhigh heels. The female form is more than a setof lines and curves to be dressed up, bathedin flattering lighting and flaunted. It is beyondthe physical, it is a metaphorical andcerebral, sometimes intangible representationof who we are as both women and humanbeings.A

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ARTIST STATEMENT:HALEY TALBY I am originally from Boise, Idaho

and have wanted to be a doctorsince before I can remember. Ibelieve the power of observationto be vital for a physician. I alsobelieve true beauty can beexperienced from the eyes,whether looking within or out intothe world.

Haley Talby is a Second Year MedicalStudent and an incoming pre-doctoral osteopathic manipulativemedicine fellow.

ARTIST STATEMENT: DIANNA SILVAGNI

Art is a very personal statement. When viewing art I look for pieces towhich I can relate and enjoy, whether they are realistic or abstract.When I create a piece of art it is my personal observations, experiencesand spiritual connection to the piece that helps me create it. Aftermany years of working in charcoal, chalk pastels and acrylics, mostlycreating art centered around the female form, I decided to try sculptingin clay. I found the experience to be really challenging, but enjoyable.

This piece is an attempt to bring many pieces of my life with myhusband together in a single work of art. The serene face of the femalelike form seems to be reflecting on the items she holds which embodythe desert of Arizona with its mountains and cactus tied to the sun andmoon, which have been important in many places we have lived alongwith the water and boating. The form who sits in sand has almost snakelike arms that hold the pieces of life together and, finally, on her back isthe tattoo of a motorcycle. A vehicle that has been on this life journeyfrom earliest days to the current time.

ARTIST STATEMENT: ROBERT CONTRUCCI

Throughout the history of human existence the abilityof the female form to bear offspring has remained amarvel of medicine and science prying theboundaries of our creator. This black and whitesilhouette of the female form with child gives us apositive and powerful statement. From this comes life,which fuels our mind and powers to help create,preserve, and maintain the health of the human formand fight disease.

Robert Contrucci, D.O. is a BoardCertified Otolaryngologist serving theSouth Florida area since 1985. He is aProfessor at Nova College ofOsteopathic Medicine and Chairman ofthe Department of Otolaryngology. He isa Master Martial Artist with over 30 yearsof experience in the many aspects of themental, spiritual and elemental aspectsof life that he fuses with his medicalphilosophies. He is a fan of theincorporation of arts in healing.

TRICHINA Classical India provided a unique juxtaposition

of art and life. One would readily seemonasteries which extolled the values ofasceticism and celibacy yet would displayfemale sculptures that exuded sensuality. Suchpresentations are not hedonistic, but insteadpresent the female form at its most divine andgraceful. The tribhanga position was theepitome of this philosophy accentuating thecurves and elegance of the sacred female.

Art offers me an avenue to decompress fromschool life and to use the knowledge I havegained in innovative ways. As a healthcarepractitioner, I want to use this passion todevelop new and interesting modalities for thespread of medical information.

Krishna Suri is a Second Year Medical Student.

ARTIST STATEMENT: KRISHNA SURI

MY BODY IS MINE: YET FOR A TIME IT WAS YOURS My body is mine, yet for time it

was yours. I was made for you- my form created to be yourhabitat, all aspects of mybeing working in unison tosupport your growth anddevelopment. You grew andgrew, becoming your ownperson within the liminal spaceof my womb. On the shorelineof a new life, breathing in andout like the waves washedupon the sand. You are of me,of us, yet separate, your ownunique being. I housedyou, gave you food andwarmth through my body.Flesh of my flesh, blood of myblood, body of my body; yetspirit of your spirit. My formgrew, swelling and expandingas you grew. We were onebody, and yet I could feel yourdistinct personality - your

wriggles, kicks, yourpreferences, and the way youwould respond when I atefoods you liked. I felt yourdistinct spirit in the way youwould respond with glee toyour father's voice and hishands. I felt how you couldfeel music and energy - youknew when I was peacefuland your being responded,radiating a soothing energy.You loved it when I meditated!I could feel the synergybetween us, as our being feltthe calm energy resonating.

Sometimes when I would sleepyou would begin your ownparty: Exploring your space -wriggling, swimming, andkicking. I could feel youmoving, doing backflips andfront flips, sideways and this

way and that. You still love towriggle and kick and arealways on the move! It was aluxury to experience yourbeing housed within mineduring pregnancy. Sharingone body with two souls is anhonor that I am so grateful tohave shared with you for abrief time. My body was ahouse, a launching pad, astarting place, a foundation, ahabitat for you to grow anddevelop.

Pregnancy, pregnant, withchild: Beautiful terms todescribe a being within abeing, a life within a life.

Photo Cred

it: Roger Reynolds

The responsibility of motherhood starts withthe flash of recognition, exquisitely vividduring pregnancy - how I take care of mematters. How I take care of me is how I takecare of you during pregnancy. Taking care ofyou, with my words, my touch, your father'svoice, and his touch.

Through breast-feeding, we are still physicallyconnected. And in so many other ways weare connected – through play, throughexploring the world around us, throughlearning and through love. Yet the physicalcord between us grows thinner and thinneras you move further from my center andbecome centered and grounded in yourown physical being. The cord now is a cordof love, stronger and stronger as it becomesless and less physical. The privilege of servingas your mother is one that I can never repay.Through you I have learned to be myself.Through you I have learned to love anothermore than myself and therefore gainfreedom. I still relish the moments when yousync back to me, nuzzle in my arms andbreast-feed. Small reminders of the timewhen I rubbed my belly and I could feel youarching your back towards the warmth of myhand, wriggling your butt up towards thecenter of my palm. As if you felt the love and

knew that's what you wanted to be close to.A body made of love - that's what you are.My body, a vessel breaking open, makingroom for new life. My body, moving forward,transformed by love. Your body new andenergetic, emerging into life.

ARTIST STATEMENT: ISABEL THOMPSON

Isabel Thompson is a Assistant Professor in theMental Health Counseling program at NovaSoutheastern University and a licensed mentalhealth counselor. Her areas of interest include:wellness, mindfulness, as well as counselorburnout and compassion fatigue. Integratingmeditation and self-care into her life, sheenjoys spending time with her family andbeing in nature. She is the mother of TheodoreG. Thompson.

BLISS On a mission trip last year to Ecuador

while I was waiting for the next surgeryto begin I was able to capture thismoment. The surgeon I was workingwith had leaned in to reassure thepatient that he would be OK. Youcan truly see the love she has for herpatient and the trust the boy has inher as his surgeon. This piece showsthe true female form as a physician inher natural environment.

ARTIST STATEMENT:NERGESS TAHERI

Nergess Taheri is a third-year medical student.

REST, MY DEAR This is a painting of one ofmy best friends, Heba. It isfrom a night when a coupleof us were hanging out atmy house in high school.Heba was resting on my bedwhile we were talking andshe was caught totallyunaware when the picturewas taken. She is Muslim (weboth are) and Egyptian. Herreligion is very important toher, as you can see by thefact she is wearing her hijab.She was so beautiful that Ihad to paint her. Though sheis completely covered, thepictures shows her in a stateof such ease and relays asense of unguardedness thatis hard to capture. Thesefactors contribute to herradiating beauty.

ARTIST STATEMENTS: SEHER CHOWHAN

CINTYA

I'm originally from Indiana, and I went tocollege at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.Art has been a constant passion in my life, startingfrom the moment I discovered I could draw what Isee (I was in 3rd grade, and if it weren't for myuncle who backed me up, my family would STILLthink I traced Bugs Bunny). The rest is history; I'vebeen drawing and painting ever since!

Seher Chowhan is a second year medical student.

This is a painting of a girl names Cintya fromHuancayo, Peru. I went to Peru on a medical missiontrip with the Foundation for the International MedicalRelief of Children in 2012. Cintya was in an orphanagecalled Rosario that houses victims of sexual abuse.Another girl at the orphanage had gone around theorphanage taking pictures and this painting depictsone on those pictures. I’m not sure what it is about thephoto, but I just love the expression on her face andshe has a natural, relaxed happiness that can onlycome from a close friend taking your photo. When Ilook at this picture, it reminds me that contentmentcan be found even in the worst of situations.

SHE ISSHE IS wise, SHE IS patient,Compassion complete.SHE allures using trust,SHE dismisses defeat.SHE IS hope, SHE IS solace,In moments of strife.SHE IS yours, SHE IS mine,SHE IS guardian of life.

Andrew Lister graduated from 2011 from NovaSoutheastern University Farquhar College of Artsand Sciences Honors College with a B.S. in Biology.

He is currently a fourth year medical student.

ARTIST STATEMENT: ANDREW LISTER

EVERY WOMAN I gave her a metallic outline to

symbolize how women can bestrong and resilient andsimultaneously shiny andbeautiful. Her core is paintedthe same as her surroundingsand the color blue symbolizesfluid and flexibility that remindsus of the strength womenpossess while constantlyadapting throughout their lives.

ARTIST STATEMENTS:JAMIE ELLER

HYSTER LUX Hyster Lux is Latin for “womb light.” This is a painting

of the menstrual cycle hormones displayed in thelight spectrum to show the complexity and beautyof the hormones that shape women. Red isestrogen. Yellow is progesterone. Blue is LH. White isFSH. Black is the absence of light. White is a mixtureof all the colors of the light spectrum.

In my spare time I like topaint abstracts ideas andoptical illusions. I enjoypainting because it is a wayfor me to relax, escape,and express myperspective.

Jamie Eller is a third yearmedical student.

ARTIST STATEMENT: BHAVIK UPADHYAY

Female First year medicalstudents celebrate BlackHistory month on theosteopathic campus ofNSU as the backdrop.Inspired by Leonardo daVinci’s Last Supper, Iwanted to give this picturea strong perspective thatwould provide a solidfoundation to the AfricanAmerican female studentswho would one day befuture doctors of thiscountry. I tried to contrastthe man-made pillars onthe left that appear to besteady but are temporarywhile on the right there isnature, often considered afemale form, highlighted bybranches of the tree;uncertain yet permanent.

ARTIST STA

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This picture was taken on a medical mission trip to India in the winter of 2015.The steep hills of Saputara, Gujarat in the background represent the long andtreacherous path to medical school. In the center, first year medical student,Rachel Salveson (pictured) is willing to accept these challenges withcommitment reflected by her calm and steady posture.

ARTIST STATEMENT: BHAVIK UPADHYAY

This picture was taken duringthe medical mission trip to Indiaand it is of a mother consolingher son. It represents the loveand affection of a mother andher willingness to giveeverything to her child despiteall of the challenges - and witha smiling face.

I was born and raised in India and moved to United States more than a decade ago. Prior to startingosteopathic school I worked as a Physician Assistant at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center near LosAngeles. I’m passionate about international medicine and see myself as a Doctor working beyondborders one day. In addition, I love photography and most of these pictures were takenat the medical mission camp to India during winter break of 2015.

Bhavik Upadhyay is a First Year Medical Student.

ARTIST STATEMENT: BHAVIK UPADHYAY

This picture is also taken during themedical mission trip and first yearmedical student, Rachel Salvesonand other aspiring ophthalmologistsvisit a school for the blind communityin India. It represents a commitmentmade by future doctors to acquirethe powerful knowledge of medicalscience, so that one day they cantake care of the sick and mostvulnerable.

This picture was taken in a local school in Gujarat,India. These happy girls, who shied away from thecamera, walk miles every day to attend their schoolthat does not have a roof. This picture represents theircommitment to a better future and my commitmentto the people of the country of my birth as I continuemy training.

ANTITHETICA silhouette sits in my mind No purer beauty that I could find Than that which rests right by my side And teases me. Her smile of pearls from the deepest ocean Her voice a quartet of sweet emotion I listen ever closely in hopes to hear This music whistling my name. Her hair such tresses of darkened rays Her eyes I lose myself in for days All so that as I sit and stare I see in her my own reflection. And all the while I get this thrill I take a breath, let my heart be still So that I may learn about the world Through the one who carries it with her.

Born and raised in South Florida,Masood Mohammed enjoys writingand views it as “a form ofexpression without rules andlimitations.” He also enjoys readingthe latest news in science andtechnology and is an avid dancerin his free time.

Masood Mohammed is a First Yearmedical student.

ARTIST STATEMENT: MASOOD MOHAMMED

TO: WOMANHOOD: All the Women of our Generations

Greetings!

I am proud to call you WOMAN.

With bated breath I sit meekly at the sidelines cheering you on.You are the perfect example of change and what it entails.You live without fear – challenging the master-minds and nay-sayers – taking eachmoment as your cue to move forward – in essence – capturing life and winning.You are the salt and the light of our earth.You represent the essence of life: you are our mothers, our sisters, our teachers, ourmentors, our friends, our gentle critics and we believe in you. Take your places in thisworld with pride. You have moved onto major platforms; graced our political arenas;you are great doctors, lawyers, educators, nurses, authors and more; you are thevoice for the unspoken; you are not ashamed to cry in moments of sadness orweakness and yes, your smile is ever present to cheer us on in Victory. We love andadmire you.Yes! My Good Woman – YOU HAVE WON!To my late mother – may your memory linger on.

ARTIST STA

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GILBERT Barbara Diana Gilbert is a poet, writer, author, publisher, activist, radio personality,

and mentor. She made her debut as a spoken word poet at the African AmericanResearch Library in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 2005. She is the author of; Spiritual JourneyOf A Child (a young woman’s struggle through the darkest regions of her life).

Sara Hartey is from Cherry Hill, New Jerseywith a passion for the osteopathic visionand medical outreach. As anundergraduate student she studiedBiology with a concentration inorganismal physiology at Drexel Universityand has spent time conducting researchin the fields of psychology and ecologicalbiodiversity.Her work is inspired by a vision of medicalequality and the magic within theintricacies of our bodies.Sara Hartey is a 2nd year medical student

ARTIST STATEMENT: SARA HARTEY

TRACEY EMIN:BLINDING BLUE NEON

Blinding Blue Neon created in 2000,exemplifies the artists use of familiar formsto establish relationships with the viewerthrough deeply personal narratives,brutal honesty and a blunt sense ofhumor. Caste in electric blue, theglowing neon is reminiscent ofcommercial signage fabricated with theintention of seducing its viewer toconsume. The outline of the women,however, is rendered with a loosefreedom which gives the form a livelinessand character which transcendsotherwise racy connotations. Emin’sautobiographical and confessional workspans a variety of mediums, includingdrawing, photography, neon, videoperformance and applique.

Tracey Emin is a member of the YBA (YoungBritish Artists), a group who collaborated inexhibitions in the 80's and 90's. According toMaureen Paley, a well-known gallerist; “Thething that came our of the YBA generation wasboldness... a belief that yes, you can doanything.”

ARTIST STATEMENT: TRACEY EMIN

FRAGILE

MADONNA AND CHILD

SAD SWIMMER Clay is such an exciting and responsive medium in which to

work. Most often I only have a germ of an idea when I begin aproject. I begin to build a form and before I know it, a wilddance has begun between me and the clay. It seems to knowthe steps and where we are headed, so I blithely follow along,taking my cues from a bend or an outcropping in the clay.Maybe it’s starting to look like a weeping woman, or a catwith a crown on its head. I just let the dance go on until I havemade something.

Sometimes this journey continues without stopping from earlyin the morning until the sun goes down. Finally, I step back andsee what I’ve got. If it makes me smile, then the refiningprocess begins. Pieces may be fired multiple times until thesurface treatment is completed. My sculpture deals with theidea of human fragility. It is about compassion for people asthey journey from suffering on towards enlightenment. Eachpiece is a snapshot of a traveler at some point on life’s bumpypath. I hope you enjoy looking at my sculptures as much as Ihave enjoyed making them.

ARTIST STATEMENT: JANIE PACKER

THE MYSTERIOUS WOMANWhat is she?

Who is she?

What is she wearing?

What is she thinking?

Where is she going?

Where is she from?

Where is she looking?

What is her facial expression?

ARTIST STATEMENT: ENO-EMEM OKPOKPO

While creating this image, I took these questions into account. What I love most about the process isthat all of these questions can be answered by the viewers of this artwork. Based on our ownexperiences, we can come up with story lines for everything that we see. Therein lies the beauty ofart. Its true meaning is left to the creative imagination of whomever appreciates it.

As healthcare professionals, we have to understand that each patient might be our “MysteriousWoman”. We have to appreciate the fact that our patients are emotional beings and not just acollection of anatomical systems seeking treatments. Just like this piece of art sparks a curiosity withthe questions above, our patients should also speak curiosities within us. By knowing how they feel,we can bring about the best possible outcomes. Remember, we will never understand whatsomeone is going through, unless we walk in their shoes.

I was born and raised in western Nigeria. I moved to the United States for my college educationwhen I was 18 years old and that has been one of the best decisions of my entire life. I obtainedmy AA from Broward College and my BMS from University of South Florida in Biomedical Sciences.Upon completing my medical education, I would love to practice in an underserved area where Ibelieve my osteopathic training would be highly beneficial.

My interest in the arts has always been present since childhood. My particular interests have alwaysbeen drawing sketches and singing. Through the years, I was able to hone my skills in these areasand get better at them. In the future, I plan to do what I can to find ways to incorporate these skillsinto practicing (and hopefully teaching) the art of medicine

Eno-Emem Okpokpo is a First-Year Medical Student.

LOOKING FROM WITHIN

ARTIST STATEMENT: PHILLIP BERGES & BERGES ALVAREZ

I made this with my father using a lateral chest X-ray superimposedunder a quality control film. Together, we drew in the facial features, cutand pasted and enlarged the photographic image to produce thisbeautiful, strong assertive woman. We thought this image perfectlyreflects the power, determination, and mystery contained within hergaze. Together and from within, women show their strength.

Because this is my final year, I have been eagerly applying and interviewing for aresidency position in Internal Medicine. I also recently got married to the love of mylife this past year and we are both hoping to start a family soon. It is because of thesupport and guidance of my wife and my parents that I am able to pursue mypassion for art and medicine. Being able to see art in its many forms is a skill thatwas instilled in me by my father growing up. During my years in medical school, Ihave further grown to appreciate art in its many forms; whether they be throughradiographic imaging or seeing a surgeon perform a cholecystectomy.

Phillip Berges is a Fourth Year Medical Student.

ARTIST STATEMENT: BEN SOKOLOFF

In the outdated traditional view of women, spiders are associated withcertain qualities and attributes. Beauty. Grace. Cunning. Homemakers. Skillwith crafts. I tried to imagine these over-generalized features in another formthat can be juxtaposed with this antiquated view. And I came up with thespider from the story of Arachne.

Ben Sokoloff was bornin Detroit and grewup in Farmington Hills,Michigan. He is aFourth Year MedicalStudent.

ROOT OF EVERYTHING This piece is entitled Root of

Everything. A womanwaters the soil like shenurtures her family andinspires our minds. Sheplants the seeds in ourheads so we can exploreand see paths bloomingfrom the branch up northall the way to the branchdown south. The femaleform is the nutrient of life.

ARTIST STATEMENT:CHRISTINA MANGIARACINA

Christina Mangiaracinais a First Year MedicalStudent.

What inspired me to work on thefemale form was the belief that ourminds can create our reality. Most ofmy life I had suffered from morbidobesity - reaching at one point 288lbs. Most likely my body weightreached higher numbers, but Irefused to step on the scale afterobserving the dreaded 288! I wassuffering from low self esteem,depression, severe low back pain,tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and severalother "itis" when I realized that themost powerful tool that I hadavailable was my brain. If I wasgoing to turn my life around, I had tolearn how to master my body andre-create myself. I needed a visualimage of how my new body wasgoing to be and while imagining itgave me a good idea, creating it oncanvas helped me to send out amessage to the Universe.

My first painting of The Bather startedto reflect that new woman to becreated. Placing her in directcontact with the ocean and naturemeant that she was washing awayall negativity. Placing her hands onher head symbolized that she wasusing her own hands to clean andtransform herself. She faces the

mountains reminding her that thejourney requires devotion, diligenceand stamina. Her realistic bodyshape (not Barbie-like) reminded methat health and well-being were myultimate goal. The second painting,Sibyl, followed on the same lines, butemphasized my passion for learning.My Sibyl has well-defined muscles(female form and power), but ismore feminine than Michelangelo's.She is focused on developing herknowledge and she is aware ofher strength and beauty.

The sketch of Birth of Venus is anevolutionary follow-up of The Bather.She is more relaxed, has betterdefined forms and is morecomfortable with herself. She truststhe ocean to support her new lifeand now she faces me -symbolizing that we haveaccomplished a great dealtogether. The mountains (obstacles)that kept her away from her trueform, were now conquered, so theyare out of view. Venus is not finishedyet reminding that I have not yetmaterialized the female body that Ihave painted. I need to keepon working on this life long project.

THE BATHER

SIBYL

Paula Waziry is a trained Pharmacologist who is fascinatedwith the immune system, cancer development, pathogensinteractions with hosts, nucleocytoplasmic transport anddevelopment of innovative therapies. Her researchphilosophy encompasses an integrated approach thattakes in consideration the wellbeing of the person, ratherthan concentrating on specific diseases or organ systems.

ARTIST STATEMENT: PAULA WAZIRY

THE BIRTH OF VENUS

UPCOMING ISSUE: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS be Still is looking for submissions on the theme of “The Male Form”

Seeking: Essays Poetry Patient narratives Photographs Art works Personal reflections Book and film reviews and any other type of creative endeavor that speak to you

about “The Male Form.”

Please submit to: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/