Art, Well-Being, and Medicine Workshops at The Barnes Foundation
Salus University PA Students have a unique opportunity to hone their observation, communication, and interpersonal skills through the Art, Well-being, and Medicine workshops offered by the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. The sessions are facilitated by Barnes gallery experts and PA faculty with a focus on close looking, dialogue, and reflection surrounding unique works of art found in the Barnes Collection. Of note, the gallery's founder, Dr. Albert Barnes, earned a medical degree but also had a passion for art education. He purposefully curated a unique collection of international works of art that serve as a foundation for the workshops.
PA students attend two sessions at the Barnes Foundation during the didactic year. One is focused on Objective Observation & Clear Communication while the other helps Navigate Ambiguity & Build Empathy. A portion of each workshop involves group observation and discussion surrounding the art and the other focuses on small group activities. Faculty help students make connections between the relevance of observation, communication, handling ambiguous situations, and the value of empathy in clinical care. Ultimately, the workshops allow students a unique opportunity to reflect on how each person perceives a situation and responds accordingly, which is central to providing holistic, patient-centered care