Jefferson Humanities & Health supports student engagement in the arts and humanities to promote essential skills related to healthcare including close observation, critical thinking, communication and empathy.
Throughout the year, our programs highlight the social contexts of health and wellness, lived experiences of diverse individuals and communities, and self-care for health professionals.
Each academic year, the Jefferson Humanities Forum explores a thought-provoking theme from a wide range of perspectives. During the 2020-2021 academic year, the Jefferson Humanities Forum will investigate the theme Creativity.
Throughout the year, forum events will explore aspects of Creativity. Dimensions of this theme will be elaborated upon soon (Summer 2020). Stay tuned!
Virtually tour the Mütter Museum's exhibit about the 1918-19 influenza pandemic
The Mütter Museum, Philadelphia's very own medical history museum, has released a virtual tour of their exhibit about the influenza pandemic of 1918–19 that killed 50 to 100 million people worldwide. Spit Spreads Death explores how neighborhoods in Philadelphia were impacted, how the disease spread, and what could happen in future pandemics. It is an exhibition and artist project that explores both this devastating historic event and the connections to contemporary health issue.
Experience a virtual tour of the exhibit here.
Watch Robert D. Hicks, former Mütter Museum Director, explore the 1918-19 pandemic as a social catastrophe and address its memorialization through the Spit Spreads Death exhibit here.
Scott Memorial Library's resource list on racism in healthcare
Scott Memorial Library has shared a resource list for those who want to learn more about racism's prevalence in the healthcare system. The shared videos and presentations are freely-accessible to all. The listed books and articles are available to Jefferson faculty, on-campus and distance students, employees, residents, postdocs and fellows of TJU, Jefferson Hospital and Methodist Division.
Registration Open: 2020-21 Asano Humanities & Health Certificate
Attention: Registration is now open for the 2020-21 Asano Humanities & Health Certificate, a co-curricular program that rewards sustained engagement in arts and humanities activities throughout the academic year. All Jefferson students are invited to complete the certificate by attending eight (8) Jefferson Humanities & Health events and completing a reflection portfolio of four (4) reflection prompts.
Events that are eligible for Asano credit will be marked with an astericks (*) on the event calendar below. If you would like to receive Asano Certificate credit for attending an event, please email Matilda Ostow, Humanities Program Coordinator, to confirm your attendance.
New Jefferson COVID Stories prompts related to racism & racial justice
Jefferson COVID Stories, an online initiative in partnership with Humans of Jefferson, is a collection of responses chronicling how COVID-19 is impacting the lives and experiences of people in the Jefferson community in different ways. In light of the recent killings of black people by the police, they have added new prompts oriented towards racial justice.
They write: "We are gutted by the racism, inequality, and pain that roils our communities. Amid a pandemic due to a viral pathogen, racism represents another chronic, progressive disease in our country. We recognize this as a tipping point that is a call for cultural humility. As such, we would like to invite the Jefferson community to process this moment in a collective way. Feel free to answer as many of the following prompts as you like."
You are encouraged to respond to the new prompts here.
Read other COVID-19 related stories from across the Jefferson community here.
Wellness resources for students and staff
Access Jefferson's Wellness Tips site for guidance on how to stay emotionally, physically and socially well during physical distancing.
Our friends at the The Jefferson Recreation & Fitness Center are offering a diverse array of virtual programs to keep you active, on topics from nutrition and stress management to yoga and workouts at home. Check out their Instagram for daily updates.
Jefferson's Student Personal Counseling Center and Counseling Services (East Falls) are continuing to serve clients via phone and telehealth.
Virtual Cooking with Vetri: Building a Soup or Stew - July 14*
Virtual Cooking with Vetri: Building a Soup or Stew
Tuesday, July 14, 5 p.m.
For Zoom link/instructions, email Angelina Seeney indicating which workshop(s) you would like to attend.
The Jefferson Recreation & Fitness Center is teaming up with Vetri Virtual Teaching Kitchen Collaboration to provide three FREE online cooking workshops this summer.
These programs will teach employees and students the basics of cooking in a fresh and healthy manner. You can choose to cook along with the chefs, or just watch and learn. You will be supplied with an ingredient list and a list of kitchen supplies you will need on hand.
Upcoming workshops
Tuesday, August 18, 5 p.m.: A Guide to Stir Fry
If you are interested in joining us, please email Angelina Seeney, Assistant Director of Wellness Programs indicating which workshop or workshops you would like to attend. You will receive the Zoom meeting ID/password, a list of ingredients you will need, and a list of kitchen supplies to have on hand.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event. If you would like to receive Asano Certificate credit for attending this event, please e-mail Humanities Program Coordinator Matilda Ostow to confirm your attendance.
Learning From Our History: Living Beyond the Walls of the Institution
Wednesday, July 22, 4:30-6 p.m.
Access the virtual panel discussion day-of here.
A facilitated virtual discussion about the obstacles to living beyond the walls of institutionalized settings, current issues in community-based services, and what the future might hold. This event is part of Disability Pride Philadelphia's month of events, workshops, and screenings in honor of Pride Month. Check out the rest of their July events here.
Facilitator: Guy Caruso, Western Coordinator, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Invited participants include:
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event. If you would like to receive Asano Certificate credit for attending this event, please e-mail Humanities Program Coordinator Matilda Ostow (Matilda.Ostow@jefferson.edu) to confirm your attendance.
Virtual Cooking with Vetri: A Guide to Stir Fry - August 18*
Virtual Cooking with Vetri: A Guide to Stir Fry
Tuesday, August 18, 5 p.m.
For Zoom link/instructions, email Angelina Seeney indicating which workshop you would like to attend.
The Jefferson Recreation & Fitness Center is teaming up with Vetri Virtual Teaching Kitchen Collaboration to provide three FREE online cooking workshops this summer.
These programs will teach employees and students the basics of cooking in a fresh and healthy manner. You can choose to cook along with the chefs, or just watch and learn. You will be supplied with an ingredient list and a list of kitchen supplies you will need on hand.
If you are interested in joining us, please email Angelina Seeney, Assistant Director of Wellness Programs indicating which workshop or workshops you would like to attend. You will receive the Zoom meeting ID/password, a list of ingredients you will need, and a list of kitchen supplies to have on hand.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event. If you would like to receive Asano Certificate credit for attending this event, please email Humanities Program Coordinator Matilda Ostow to confirm your attendance after the event.
*Events marked with an asterisk can be counted toward the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate for Jefferson students.
Please note: Events are added to the calendar as they are confirmed. Please check regularly for additional events.
Did you know that Jefferson Humanities & Health has a monthly newsletter? Get all the updates about programs, events, and features in your mailbox every month.
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.