Creative Hearts

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our story

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Creative Hearts was founded in the fall of 2016 when two members of the Class of 2020, Fatima Sallman and Michael Sikorski, realized a shared sense of urgency to continue their artistic endeavors in art and music despite the persistent demands of medical school. After receiving advice and encouragement from Dr. Donna Parker and Dr. Neda Frayha in the Office of Student Affairs, Fatima and Michael 'piloted' a small booklet to collect and share the poignant reflections of their first year classmates during the first ten weeks of medical school. The first edition of the School of Medicine White Coat Reflections Class of 2020 was printed with graphic design support from Graphic Squirrel (Ellicott City, MD) and generous support from the Medical Alumni Association. One copy was gifted to each first year student upon receiving their white coats to commemorate the moment and to 

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This pilot effort drew over a dozen passionate classmates to form the Creative Hearts student group. We determined that creative workshops and annual publications would be the most feasible mechanisms to encourage reflection and creativity during medical training. As these ideas took flight, faculty and staff who maintain creative habits of self-expression and reflection contributed submissions and support, including former-UMB President Dr. Jay Perman who submitted a poem written in his childhood accompanied by a recent reflection, UMB President Dr. Bruce Jarrell who is a master blacksmith and metalworker, as well as Dr. E. A. Reece, Dean of Medicine who finds peace and reflection in classical music and is a strong advocate for medical student wellness and mental health. 

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today 

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Creative Hearts is a student-run organization supporting the arts and humanities in medicine, with a goal of exposing members of our institution to various forms of creativity as an outlet of expression and escape. We aim not only aim to teach and nurture curiosity in the creative arts through workshops and seminars, but also to showcase the talents of our fellow students and faculty. Creative Hearts is run by a small team of dedicated medical students, including MS2s Christine Yuan, Chaoyang Wang, Alyssa Schledwitz, and Isha Darbari,  and MS1s Badiei Beita, Kaitlyn Freels and Rachel Bailey. Michael Sikorski (GS3) continues as a senior student advisor. Fatima Sallman graduated in 2020 and is now a pediatric resident in Michigan.

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Learn more about our story through The OSA Insider podcast Episode 48: Creative Hearts

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Please feel free to explore all of our current publications!