Medical Humanities: The Art and Science of Medicine

By Katie Ray, 24

The College of Arts and Sciences introduced a new major, giving students a unique advantage in the rapidly expanding healthcare industry. The medical humanities major is designed to offer students a comprehensive understanding of healthcare from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating insights from fields such as literature, history, philosophy, ethics and cultural studies.

Graduates will be equipped to navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape with a holistic understanding of patient care and the societal impact of healthcare practices. Moreover, they will be well-positioned to confront the evolving challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry, including the imperative for patient-centered care and cultural competence.

“The medical humanities major, as well as UPIKE’s new global health minor, empowers students to develop an understanding of how medicine and health impact individuals, families and communities. This allows students to engage with medicine and healthcare more holistically,” said Rob Musick, D.Min., coordinator of the medical humanities major, chaplain and instructor of religious studies. “So often, we think the healthcare industry is only for nurses and doctors. Yet, medical humanities equip students to fully support healing and work within the healthcare system through a vast understanding of the heart, mind and soul of medicine.”

Notable among the program’s offerings is the Narratives of Addiction course, which immerses students in the narratives of those grappling with addiction, advancing community engagement with organizations focused on addiction recovery. Another captivating course invites students to explore the therapeutic potential of yoga in trauma recovery.

“I was nervous when the class started, but before I knew it, these yoga sessions were the best part of my day,” said first-year student Abbie Johnson. “Yoga is more than exercise, it’s a way of life. It teaches you that the mind and body are separate objectives needing attention.”

By applying the wisdom of the humanities to the knowledge of the medical field, students will gain critical thinking skills, empathy and a nuanced understanding of healthcare’s social, cultural and ethical dimensions – building a bridge between the art and science of medicine. With only two required courses, students have the freedom to select from a wide variety of subsections to complete their degree.

“Students can serve as healthcare specialists, communicators for insurance and pharmaceutical organizations and workers in private and non-profit organizations,” said Musick. “This degree will also lay the groundwork for students seeking professional and graduate degrees in law, medicine, business and research, to name a few. Medical humanities provide very creative tools to work in the healing arts.”