This is the second “Art and Wellness” program presented by the Wellesley Society of Artists in partnership with the Wellesley Free Library and supported in part by a grant from the Wellesley Cultural Council. The arts are increasingly playing an integral role in both health and healthcare. Integrating the arts into our lives and communities can enrich cultural life and support well being.  Join us to learn more on Wednesday, October 2nd 7:00-8:30pm at the Wellesley Free Library. This program is free and open to the public.

Training Eyes, Minds and Hearts: Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and the Art of Healthcare

There is a growing call for better integration of the arts and humanities with medicine.  According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the arts and humanities have a “unique and unrealized role in preparing and equipping physicians for 21st-century challenges.” And for over a decade, the number of partnerships between art museums and healthcare organizations, including medical schools, hospitals, and clinics–has been growing. In this interactive presentation, museum educator Corinne Zimmermann will share how the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and museum-based practices are being used in medical schools and healthcare organizations to hone observation and critical thinking skills, improve team dynamics, cultivate empathy, and support well-being. 

Corinne is the co-author of Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions (Rowman & Littlefield). She co-founded the Harvard Macy Art Museum-based Health Professions Education Fellowship, a pioneering professional development program that introduces innovative ways to use the arts to advance health professions educational goals, skills and attitudes. She is a co-founder of VTS@Work and is currently co-teaching Training Our Eyes, Minds, and Hearts: VTS for Health Care Professionals through Harvard Medical School’s Continuing Education Program.