Information For
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 2019-2020 academic year, the Jefferson Humanities Forum will investigate the theme Memory.
Throughout the year, forum events will explore aspects of Memory, including:
Students are invited to complete the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending eight (8) Jefferson Humanities & Health events during the academic year and completing a portfolio of four (4) reflective essays in response. Registration for the 2019-2020 certificate program is now open!
Registration Open: Asano Humanities & Health Certificate
Registration is now open for the 2019-2020 Asano Humanities & Health Certificate! All Jefferson students are welcome to attend 8 Humanities & Health events and submit a reflection portfolio of 4 reflections. Learn more about the Asano Certificate or contact Humanities Program Coordinator Rebecca Harris (Rebecca.E.Harris@jefferson.edu) for more information.
Jefferson and Philadelphia Contemporary present Back and Song - October 5-27
Free and open to the public. For more information, visit Philadelphiacontemporary.org.
Back and Song is a meditative four-channel film and art installation by filmmakers Elissa Blount Moorhead and Bradford Young, produced by Philadelphia Contemporary and Thomas Jefferson University. This kaleidoscopic installation reflects on the complex and profound connections between health, wellness, and the Black experience in America. Working with archivists from around the world, Moorhead and Young have synthesized photographs of quotidian Black family life and new footage into a time-based archive of expression.
Back and Song will be presented at Girard College, originally chartered in 1833 as a school for “white, male orphans” and later a pivotal site in the movement to legally desegregate all Philadelphia schools. Filling its central auditorium with sound and moving image, Back and Song will transform the Chapel at Girard College into a space of rejuvenation. Back and Song will be on view on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12-6 p.m., between October 5 and October 27.
Free Student Tickets: RENT - October 18* (SOLD OUT)
Friday, October 18, 8 p.m., Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center (250 South Broad Street)
Pre-registration required HERE. Registration will open on Sept. 17.
In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. The story takes place just as the AIDS crisis is sweeping through New York. By bringing the audience to the front lines of this epidemic, RENT exposes the physical and psychological impact of this disease on the individual and the national scale. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Creative Approaches to Self Care: From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion - October 21*
Monday, October 21, 5-7 p.m., BLSB 105
Dinner provided. Pre-registration required HERE.
We all have inner critics that compare how we are with how we think we should be. While this tendency to judge and evaluate ourselves can be a source of motivation, it can also undermine our sense of self-worth and make us feel “not good enough” in many areas of our lives. This workshop will focus on how to shift from viewing ourselves through a lens of criticism to a lens of compassion. We will utilize writing and music to challenge perfectionism and promote self-acceptance.
About Creative Approaches to Self-Care:
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by 3 creative arts therapists and a poet, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.
Instructors: Cindy Savett and Adenike Webb, MMT, MT-BC
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Health Humanities Reading Group - October 21*
Monday, October 21, 12-1 p.m., Scott 200A
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
October 21 Reading: Ch. 1, “The Birth of American Gynecology,” in Deirdre Cooper Owens, Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology, Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2017.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
EAST FALLS - Roxboro House Roundtable: The Immigration Crisis - October 24*
Thursday, October 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Roxboro House, Arlen Specter Center for Public Service, Jefferson East Falls
The Latin American Student Organization (East Falls) and Ahmad Qais Munhazim will explore the current negative climate in the U.S. regarding immigrants, both legal and illegal, defining legal immigration and discussing why the negative climate exists, effects on individuals and possible solutions. Please note: This event is hosted by the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service at Jefferson East Falls.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Friday, October 25, 6-8 p.m., Connelly Auditorium, Hamilton Building
Free and open to the public.
Deirdre Cooper Owens joins the Jefferson Humanities Forum for a lecture and conversation with artists Elissa Blount Moorhead and Bradford Young, in conjunction with Back and Song.
Deirdre Cooper Owens is the Linda and Charles Wilson Professor in the History of Medicine and Director of the Humanities in Medicine program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is an Organization of American Historians’ (OAH) Distinguished Lecturer and has won a number of prestigious honors that range from the University of Virginia’s Carter G. Woodson Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies to serving as an American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellow in Washington, D.C. Cooper Owens earned her Ph.D. from UCLA in History and wrote an award-winning dissertation while there. A popular public speaker, she has published articles, essays, book chapters, and think pieces on a number of issues that concern African American experiences and reproductive justice. Professor Cooper Owens is also the Director of the Program in African American History at the Library Company of Philadelphia, the country’s oldest cultural institution founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. She is working on a second book project that examines mental illness during the era of United States slavery and is writing a popular biography of Harriet Tubman that examines her through the lens of disability.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Back and Song Tour with artists Elissa Blount Moorhead and Bradford Young - October 26*
Saturday, October 26, 3-4 p.m., Girard College, 2101 S College Ave
Open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Pre-registration is required HERE.
Join Back and Song artists Elissa Blount Moorhead and Bradford Young for an exclusive tour of their film installation, currently on view at Girard College.
Back and Song is a meditative four-channel film and art installation by filmmakers Elissa Blount Moorhead and Bradford Young, produced by Philadelphia Contemporary and Thomas Jefferson University. This kaleidoscopic installation reflects on the complex and profound connections between health, wellness, and the Black experience in America. Working with archivists from around the world, Moorhead and Young have synthesized photographs of quotidian Black family life and new footage into a time-based archive of expression.
Back and Song is presented at Girard College, originally chartered in 1833 as a school for “white, male orphans” and later a pivotal site in the movement to legally desegregate all Philadelphia schools. Filling its central auditorium with sound and moving image, Back and Song transforms the Chapel at Girard College into a space of rejuvenation. Back and Song will be on view on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12-6 p.m., between October 5 and October 27.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Wellness Week Story Slam - October 28*
Monday, October 28, 4-5:30 p.m., Connelly Auditorium
Free and open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff.
Join us for the third annual Resilience Story Slam! Jefferson clinicians share stories that address the critical balance for health professionals between the profound meaning and joy that come with providing care and the necessity for resilience in response to the stresses of caregiving. Story Slams involve a series of speakers presenting five-minute stories that revolve around a particular theme. This interdisciplinary event will showcase perspectives from a variety of health professions.
Featuring:
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Health Humanities Reading Group - October 28*
Monday, October 28, 12-1 p.m., Scott 200A
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
October 28 Reading: Ch. 2, “Black Women’s Experiences in Slavery and Medicine,” in Deirdre Cooper Owens, Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology, Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2017.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Health Humanities Reading Group - November 4*
Monday, November 4, 12-1 p.m., Hamilton 504
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
November 4 Reading: Liliana Velasquez, Dreams and Nightmares/Sueños y Pesadillas, pg. 9-111 (Prologue, "Guatemala," and "My Journey"), Parlor Press, 2017.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Drop In, Drum it Out! with percussionist Josh Robinson - November 6*
Wednesday, November 6, 5-6:30 p.m., Bluemle Life Sciences Building 101
Percussionist and Jefferson Humanities & Health Artist-in-Residence Josh Robinson invites Jefferson students, faculty, and staff to participate in an open drumming circle. This is a great opportunity to have fun, relieve stress, explore the art of percussion, and generally unwind at the end of the day. Drums will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own. These are ‘drop in’ sessions, meaning participants are welcome to join at any time during the program.
All levels of experience – complete beginners through seasoned percussionists – are welcome and encouraged to attend! Questions? Please contact David Meinhart, david.meinhart@jefferson.edu.
About Josh Robinson
Josh Robinson is a percussionist and teaching artist. In addition to performing in various Philadelphia-based ensembles, since 2002 he has worked with children and adults as a teaching artist, facilitating programs that use percussion as a tool for teaching communication, teamwork, creativity, leadership, discipline, and cultural awareness through music and instrument making. He is affiliated with many arts organizations and partner organizations for his work with grieving children including T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), The Moyer Foundation, and NAGC (National Alliance For Grieving Children). Josh has previously worked with Jefferson, teaching SKMC Humanities courses and directing percussion for Tangles in Time.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Narrative Medicine Workshop Series - November 11*
Monday, November 11, 6-7 p.m., Hamilton 505
Interested in writing? Literature? Art history? Poetry? Philosophy? Film? Music?
A series of 5 reflective writing workshops, every other week from the end of Sept – Dec, will be held in which different texts and media will be analyzed, reflected upon, and responded to, bringing to light discussions on mortality, social justice, cross-cultural experience, the narrative nature of mankind, and the human condition in health care. The workshops will be held every other week from the end of September to December. Interested participants are asked to commit to attending as many workshops in the series as they can, as the impact of these narrative activities relies heavily on having a safe, collaborative space where everyone is equally dedicated to being there and to sharing a part of themselves.
Please contact Carly Slater, SKMC '22, for any questions: css005@jefferson.edu
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Inis Nua Reading Series: Aging in Our Time - November 11*
Monday, November 11, 7 p.m., Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street
Play reading: The Children, by Lucy Kirkwood
Inis Nua’s 2019-2020 Reading Series shines a light on stories of growing old and the elderly. Three different contemporary plays from the UK and Ireland each look at the issue through a different lens. In The Children, by Lucy Kirkwood, three retired scientists grapple with their responsibilities towards the younger generation when a natural disaster causes an emergency at a nuclear power plant. A gripping play from both Broadway and the West End that asks what one generation owes to the next.
Free and open to the public; no registration required.
*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 Rebecca Harris (rebecca.e.harris@jefferson.edu) to confirm your attendance.
Tuesday, November 12, 7 p.m., Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street
Free and open to the public. Learn more and get tickets HERE
DocNights is a year-long collaboration between Jefferson, Philadelphia Film Society and William Way LGBT Community Center that showcases four documentaries about diverse issues that members of the LGBTQ+ community experience every day. A Q&A and discussion with filmmakers or documentary subjects will follow each screening.
Around 15,500 transgender people serve in the U.S. military, where a ban on transgender service forces them to conceal their gender identity. TransMilitary chronicles the lives of four individuals—Senior Airman Logan Ireland, Corporal Laila Villanueva, Captain Jennifer Peace and First Lieutenant El Cook—defending their country’s freedom while fighting for their own. They put their careers and their families’ livelihoods on the line by coming out as transgender to top brass officials in the Pentagon in hopes of attaining the equal right to serve. The ban was lifted in 2016, but with President Trump now trying to reinstate it, their futures hang in the balance again.
Following the screening, U.S. Army veteran and TransMilitary subject Patricia King will join us for a discussion and Q&A.
Co-sponsored by Jefferson Humanities & Health and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
"Places for Discovery" Art Show and Reception - November 14
Thursday, November 14, 5-8 p.m., Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment, 111 S. 11th St.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University is pleased to announce its current quarterly art exhibition, “Places For Discovery,” featuring over sixty original works throughout the hallways, waiting areas and exam rooms in the Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment. The exhibition program provides a meaningful creative experience for patients, family, staff and faculty.
“Places For Discovery” brings together six artists of different backgrounds who share a common creative goal: to use material, composition and inspiration to depict aesthetic ideas that offer respite for those undergoing treatment. Among the sources of inspiration that lead the artists to create are Chilean classical music compositions, material and chemical explorations, meditation, experiments with fluidity and opacity, as well as NASA space imaging. The variety of subject matter depicted in abstract expressive artwork allows the viewer to find different connections and meaning throughout the bi-level exhibition.
The reception is free and open to the public. There will be a curator-led tour starting at 5:30 p.m.
The exhibition is normally closed to the public, though arrangements for tours can be made by emailing eric@revolvd.com.
Health Humanities Reading Group - November 18*
Monday, November 18, 12-1 p.m., Scott 200A
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
November 18 Reading: Liliana Velasquez, Dreams and Nightmares/Sueños y Pesadillas, pg. 117-205, Parlor Press, 2017.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Creative Approaches to Self Care: Creating Balance - November 18*
Monday, November 18, 5-7 p.m., BLSB 101
Dinner provided. Pre-registration required HERE starting October 13.
Juggling school along with other life commitments is a challenge that can leave us feeling stressed and pulled in different directions. In this art and movement based workshop, we will practice exercises that promote an awareness of what balance actually feels and looks like. We will explore setting boundaries, how to prevent burnout, and how to recognize, listen to and meet our own needs.
About Creative Approaches to Self-Care:
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by 3 creative arts therapists and a poet, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.
Instructors: Cindy Savett and Adenike Webb, MMT, MT-BC
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Health Humanities Reading Group - November 25*
Monday, November 25, 12-1 p.m., Scott 200A
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
November 25 Reading: Selection from Liliana Velasquez, Dreams and Nightmares/Sueños y Pesadillas
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Health Humanities Reading Group - December 2*
Monday, December 2, 12-1 p.m., Hamilton 210/211
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
December 2 Reading: TBD
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Narrative Medicine Workshop Series - December 2*
Monday, December 2, 6-7 p.m., Hamilton 212
Interested in writing? Literature? Art history? Poetry? Philosophy? Film? Music?
A series of 5 reflective writing workshops, every other week from the end of Sept – Dec, will be held in which different texts and media will be analyzed, reflected upon, and responded to, bringing to light discussions on mortality, social justice, cross-cultural experience, the narrative nature of mankind, and the human condition in health care. The workshops will be held every other week from the end of September to December. Interested participants are asked to commit to attending as many workshops in the series as they can, as the impact of these narrative activities relies heavily on having a safe, collaborative space where everyone is equally dedicated to being there and to sharing a part of themselves.
Please contact Carly Slater, SKMC '22, for any questions: css005@jefferson.edu
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Drop In, Drum it Out! with percussionist Josh Robinson - December 3*
Tuesday, December 3, 5-6:30 p.m., Bluemle Life Sciences Building 101
Percussionist and Jefferson Humanities & Health Artist-in-Residence Josh Robinson invites Jefferson students, faculty, and staff to participate in an open drumming circle. This is a great opportunity to have fun, relieve stress, explore the art of percussion, and generally unwind at the end of the day. Drums will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own. These are ‘drop in’ sessions, meaning participants are welcome to join at any time during the program.
All levels of experience – complete beginners through seasoned percussionists – are welcome and encouraged to attend! Questions? Please contact David Meinhart, david.meinhart@jefferson.edu.
About Josh Robinson
Josh Robinson is a percussionist and teaching artist. In addition to performing in various Philadelphia-based ensembles, since 2002 he has worked with children and adults as a teaching artist, facilitating programs that use percussion as a tool for teaching communication, teamwork, creativity, leadership, discipline, and cultural awareness through music and instrument making. He is affiliated with many arts organizations and partner organizations for his work with grieving children including T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), The Moyer Foundation, and NAGC (National Alliance For Grieving Children). Josh has previously worked with Jefferson, teaching SKMC Humanities courses and directing percussion for Tangles in Time.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
JEFFx Global Health Conference: Planetary Health - December 6*
Friday, December 6, 3-9 p.m.
Registration opens soon.
Open to the public. Dinner provided.
The JEFFx Global Health Conference is an interdisciplinary event where students across health professions, faculty, and guests interested in global health can explore the field beyond the classroom setting: through a keynote address, faculty-led interactive workshops, and by getting to know other members of the Jefferson community involved in global health. The theme of the 2019 conference will be Planetary Health; attendees of the conference can expect to learn about how the environment, climate change, and healthcare intersect.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Health Humanities Reading Group - December 9*
Monday, December 9, 12-1 p.m., Scott 200A
Open to all Jefferson students, faculty and staff. Lunch provided. Learn More
The Health Humanities Reading Group gathers weekly to think critically about health as it is understood through various disciplinary perspectives, social contexts and value systems. This ongoing program is open to students, faculty and staff, and offers an informal learning environment facilitated by participants. During Fall 2019, the reading group will explore topics related to Memory.
December 9 Reading: TBD
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Creative Approaches to Self Care: Mindfulness and Self-Awareness - December 9*
Monday, December 9, 5-7 p.m., BLSB 105
Dinner provided. Pre-registration required HERE starting November 3.
Learning about ourselves, how we think and what makes us experience certain emotions, can help us manage better in times of stress and uncertainty. In this class, using both writing and movement, we will teach Mindfulness skills that can be used at a moment’s notice to enhance our self-awareness.
About Creative Approaches to Self-Care:
In order to care effectively for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves. This interdisciplinary series, led collaboratively by 3 creative arts therapists and a poet, is designed to engage students in self-care practices that promote healthy stress management and burnout prevention. Workshops will address topics including how to cope with stress and anxiety, cultivate relaxation techniques, find balance and develop self-compassion.
Instructors: Cindy Savett and Adenike Webb, MMT, MT-BC
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Narrative Medicine Workshop Series - December 16*
Monday, December 16, 6-7 p.m., Hamilton 505
Interested in writing? Literature? Art history? Poetry? Philosophy? Film? Music?
A series of 5 reflective writing workshops, every other week from the end of Sept – Dec, will be held in which different texts and media will be analyzed, reflected upon, and responded to, bringing to light discussions on mortality, social justice, cross-cultural experience, the narrative nature of mankind, and the human condition in health care. The workshops will be held every other week from the end of September to December. Interested participants are asked to commit to attending as many workshops in the series as they can, as the impact of these narrative activities relies heavily on having a safe, collaborative space where everyone is equally dedicated to being there and to sharing a part of themselves.
Please contact Carly Slater, SKMC '22, for any questions: css005@jefferson.edu
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this event.
Dean's Concert Series: The Poet & The Peasant - December 17*
Merion Trio: "The Poet & The Peasant"
Tuesday, December 17, 12-1 p.m., Eakins Lounge
Open to Jefferson students, faculty and staff. No registration required. Lunch provided.
The Tuesdays @ Twelve Dean's Concert Series is an annual program that presents six unique performances throughout the year. Each performance features talented musicians from Philadelphia and beyond. "The Poet & The Peasant" invites you to join the Merion Trio–pianist Gilya Hodos, violinist Margaret Humphrey, and cellist Rebecca Humphrey–as they explore folk tune based trios for piano, violin and cello.
*Students may earn credit for the Asano Humanities & Health Certificate by attending this 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.
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