Museum and Hospital Partner for Art and Medicine

Through past BCA 10 honorees in healthcare, American’s for the Arts’ Art & Health topics, and The National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military, we have seen countless stories of the healing properties of the arts and how they can help people lead better, healthier lives. But there are other ways that the arts can benefit a patient – through helping create better doctors.

Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA, in partnership with Seattle Art Museum (SAM) created the Art & Medicine program that brings residents and physicians to SAM. As reported in the Seattle Times, by learning from the arts educators, these physicians develop observational skills and better relationships with colleagues.

For all the training and research these physicians did in medical school, there was little interaction with real patients. Through this partnership, doctors engage with pieces that help them consider humanity and empathy. In addition to helping their relationships with patients, the doctors can also build teamwork amongst themselves. In a workspace were there can be separations between the departments, this arts program allows them to come together.

The program is led by Sarah Bloom, Senior Manager of Education Programs and Dr. Amish Dave, who lead the Art & Medicine for SAM and Virginia Mason, respectively.