Session Descriptons

The Art of Medicine: Healing the Heart, Body and Soul

This session will:

  • Introduce us to ways in which literary, visual and performing arts function within medical communities to forge meaning and understanding from the human experiences of illness, healing and health.
  • Discuss the relationship the creative arts, reflective practice, and professional identity
  • Demonstrate the use of the creative arts to promote reflective practice

The INTO Light Project: Using Original Art and Stories to Change the Conversation About Addiction

This immersive and interactive experience will draw from the INTO LIGHT “Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories” exhibit that is currently on display in the Student Center at the University of South Alabama. Participants will engage with powerful narratives and artistic expressions that bring the complex realities of drug addiction to life. Through a facilitated guide of the exhibit which is made up of original graphite portraits and narratives of people from Alabama who have died from drug addiction, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the human experiences behind addiction, fostering empathy and awareness.

By participating, attendees will walk away with:

  • Enhanced perspectives on the multifaceted impacts of addiction
  • Tools to engage in meaningful conversations about addiction and recovery
  • Inspiration for incorporating storytelling and creativity into advocacy work

Join us in breaking down barriers and sparking important dialogues through the transformative power of art and storytelling.

Mindful Sketchbooking

This interactive workshop explores how keeping a sketchbook can be a powerful tool for mindfulness and well-being. By combining creativity with intention, participants will learn how sketching—whether through doodles, abstract shapes, or detailed drawings—can enhance mental clarity, reduce stress, and cultivate self-awareness. No prior artistic experience is required; this space is for anyone looking to connect with their inner creativity and nurture their emotional health in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All supplies will be provided.

Healing Through Written and Spoken Words

Attendees will enjoy a session about the powerful healing effects of the creative efforts of writing.

Healing Through Art: An Oncology Art Therapy Program

The oncology art therapy program presentation will highlight the influential and positive impact that art therapy provides to support patients with a cancer diagnosis. Margaret Weilbut, Med, ATR and Sheila McElhany will highlight the benefits of creative expression, discuss therapeutic techniques, and share success stories from our oncology art therapy program. In addition, Margaret Weilbut, Med, ATR will demonstrate a short, guided activity for participants. The presentation will allow participants to have a deeper understanding of how creativity can promote healing and resilience for those on their cancer journey.

Graphic Medicine

Attendees will get an overview of graphic medicine, hear about the history of graphic medicine at the Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library, learn about the artistic process of creating comics, and hear about uses for graphic medicine in educational and clinical settings.

Discover More Through the National Libraries of Medicine

In this session librarians will demonstrate relevant resources from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) that attendees can utilize to access more information about topics covered throughout the day and more. Resources will include: MedlinePlus.gov, a consumer health/patient education resource; PubMed, a biomedical literature database, and the National Library of Medicine’s online exhibitions resources. Attendees will see how to effectively find quality health information and apply it to their information needs, as well as discover how NLM exhibitions can enhance programming and curriculum across a wide spectrum of topics.