LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 6,2020) The connection between art and medicine has been a focus of medical education institutions for decades.

In 1983,Yale School of Medicinecreated the Program for Humanities in Medicineto create better doctors and better patient relationships. Viewing a patient as a complete human beingwith stories outside of their symptoms or ailments can lead to more empathybetween doctors andpatients.Dozens of medical schoolshave been exposing residents toartto buildtheirobservation skills.In 2016,Harvard Medical Schoolbeganintegratingdrama, danceandliteratureinto their curriculumtoincreasestudentempathy and reflection.

Art translates across alldisciplinesin a way that can inform thelensthrough which we view the world.TheUniversity of Kentucky College of Fine Arts currently offers twodegrees thatspecifically address arts in health care,theMaster of MusicinMusic Therapyprogram,Kentuckys first and only graduate programof itskind,and theBachelor of Science inDigital Media Designprogramfor Pre-Med,suited for students interested in the latest advances inbio-technologiesrelated to data visualization and simulated environments. But future doctors are not only selecting these dedicated hybridprograms to expand their skills while pursuing their undergraduate studies at UK.

Our dance program also allows students tostudy both arts andhealth care,"UKDance ProgramDirector Susie Thielsaid.

During their time here, these alums used dance choreography combined with a scientific study to create dances and present their research, Thieladded. Topics ranged from the various shades of schizophrenia to how cortisol is produced in thebody when it perceives stressto the emotional and scientific findings of dementia. These dances were performed at theNational Conference of Undergraduate Research,theAmerican College of Dance Conferenceand at UK in 'Materialized'(student choreography concert) and the Showcase of Undergraduate Research.

Students frequently choose to study in theUK Deparment of Theatre and Dancebecause they can focus on two very diverse disciplines as undergraduates. Our dance students double major or minor in other disciples including communications, biology, chemistry, education, pre-med, journalism, accounting, computer science and nursing, to name a few, Thiel noted.

UK Fine Arts recentlycaught up with five former and current UK dance students who have stretched their artistic talents across disciplines into the field of medicine to learn more about their experiences.

Katelyn Cox(2020 agricultural and medical biotechnologybachelor's degree,minor in dance)

I absolutely think dance is what initially made me so interested in the human body and the amazing things it can do, Cox said.When I started college, I became fascinated with finding how dance overlaps with science and medicine. The program, specifically, allowed me to grow as a dancer in technique and appreciation, and helped me explore my ideas about the interdisciplinary overlap through choreography. Being a dancer made me stand out when I applied for medical school (and I think it helped me get in!), but has also kept me grounded by giving me a humanistic outlook, which I will carry with me as a future physician.

Cox'sfascination with science and medicine inspiredher interdisciplinary project "Finding the Common Essence: Using Dance as a Medium to Explore Analogies Between the Life Sciences and Our Everyday Lives,"whichplaced secondin the2019Oswald Research and Creativity Competition's Fine Artscategory.

ViewCox'sdance piece onlinehere.

Dr. Liza Belle Bastin(2019 graduate ofUK Collegeof Medicine,2015minor in dance)

The UK Dance Program was a vital part of my education, Bastinsaid.The program challenged me to think creatively, build confidence, act boldlyand respect both my mind and body. Each invaluable faculty member invested into me, daring me to growon a daily basisas an artist, a mover, a critical thinkerand as a human. During my undergraduate studies I participated in dance research by exploring the intersection of science and art, specifically through movement and the study of the human body. This provided me with many academic opportunities, such as presenting twice at theNational Conference on Undergraduate Research. I carried these unique experiences with me throughout my medical training, often catching attention of many within the field of medicine.

Duringher residency interviews, Bastinwas often asked questions about her experience as a dancer, sparking thoughtful conversations about theinterdisciplinary connection between dance and medicine.

The dance program was the perfect complement to my science and medical studies, allowing me to pursue all of my passions and be wellbalanced as a whole.

Kirstin Sylvester(2016 bachelor's degree inpsychology, minor in dance); recently completedmaster's degree in educational psychology at Georgia State University

"The University of Kentuckys Dance Program was a highlight of my undergraduate experience, Sylvestersaid.It not only served as a creativeoutlet butserved as a medium through which I grew personally and professionally.

"As a psychology and pre-med undergraduate, I was interested in the complexities inherent in psychological diagnosis and how that can be portrayed through dance.Director Susie Thiel supported the exploration of cross discipline work and encouraged me to submit a self-choreographed piece at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. The work was selected and furthered my interest in psychotherapy. This is only one of the many opportunities the dance program provided me that aided in my professional development.Personally, the dance program provided an inclusive and supportive environment in making life decisions through prompts, improvisation and reflection. Since, I have completed my masters in clinical mental health counseling and will be pursuing my Ph.D. in counseling psychology in August. It is my hope to be a resource for hope, supportand change to others as the dance program was for me.

Alyssa Noell Conley(2016 bachelor's degree inbiology, minors inSpanishanddance)

Conleyis currently studying attheUniversity of PikevillesKentucky College of Osteopathic Medicineand attributes a lot of her success to her experience minoring in dance at UK.

Dance has always played a large role in my life, and I believe it is where I learned the dedication and perseverance necessary to pursue medicine, Conley said.It has also been the spark of my interest in the human bodys inner workings. During my timein the dance programI learned so much about creative problem solving that has benefited me in my medical education. My dance minor also promoted my engagement in meaningful research that I have presented. This research has been one of the most discussed experiences on my CV in my admission interviews as well as my residency interviews I think dance has shown me to be well-rounded and innovative in learning, which to me has been essential to completing medical school.

Olivia Grothaus(2020UK College of Medicine,2017 bachelor's degree inbiology,minor in dance)

Grothaus says her experience in the UK Dance Program has helped her in ways she never imagined.

I originally sought out the program to bring some diversity to my education, to learn new skillsand honestly to do something fun that would challenge me, she said.Going through the dance program was challenging, but that also helped prepare me for medical school. I gained a greater focus as I encountered new techniques orstylesI wasnt familiar with.

Grothausbelievesthat studying art can helpcreate better medical professionals. I also learned to listen in a different way than most andhomed in onobservation skills that I think ultimately allow me to take better care of patients.The creativity that dance fostered absolutely nurtured my critical thinking skills that are invaluable learning medicine, and the emotional connection within dance I believe makes me a better doctor to my patients.

While thepressure in the dance studioversusmedical schoolcan bedifferent,Grothausattributes her dance training to her physical resiliency during rigorous medical training.

"I already had so much practice with having to physically continue to push through challenges and try again and again, my resiliency in medical school wasdefinitely better for it.Thecorrection and scrutiny by my dance instructors taught me to pay attention to detail, understand what my body needed to do and make fine adjustments quickly. I learned how to be coachable, and as a future surgeon who has a lot to learn in the operating room, those skills will hopefully come through. Learning dancegaveme an appreciation for what the human body can do and convey that has persisted into my passion for medicine. Dancers and medical students I found to be much alike in their type A personality, constant chasing of perfection butoveralltheir passion and dedication to what they do."

The Department of Theatre and Dance, part ofUK College of Fine Arts, provides students hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship from professional theatre and dance faculty and renowned guest artists in acting, directing, playwriting, theatrical design and technology, and dance. From mainstage productions to student-produced shows, students have plenty of opportunities to participate on stage or backstage. Special programs include a musical theatre certificate, education abroad, as well as a thriving dance program that emphasizes technique, composition, performance and production.

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Dancing Wildcats Enjoy Smoother Transition to the Field of Medicine - UKNow