Big Idea: Medical Humanities Projects Move Forward

Leaders of the Big Idea that combines UNO Medical Humanities (MH) and the proposed Ted Kooser Center for Health Humanities provided funding support to participating faculty members for summer MH and Healing Arts research and creative activity projects.

“We’re excited about the range and depth of these projects and their potential for growth, sustainability, and external funding,” said MH Director and Community Liason Steve Langan. “Through the humanities and arts, our colleagues are both framing and helping to solve timely and ongoing challenges in society and health care."

“We’re especially grateful for the leadership of colleagues at the Office of Research and Creative Activity, who guided us through the process, always encouraging us to keep our eye on the external funding prize,” Langan said.

Leading up to the announcement of inaugural summer research and creative activity funds availability, the MH Executive Committee and UNO leadership consulted with a variety of local and national colleagues, including William “Bro” Adams, Ph.D., who formerly served as chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities and senior fellow at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

“I’m impressed by the interdisciplinary focus at UNO and the vision,” Bro Adams said, “and I’m eager to see what develops.”

Funded Projects

The following projects received funding. Primary investigators and key faculty members will provide a public presentation on their projects during the fall semester.

Timi Barone, Ph.D. and Sam Ammons, Ph.D. | Sociology and Anthropology
“Introduction of Humanities & Arts into Physician Assistant Education (IHAPAE)”

Mark Gilbert, Ph.D. | Art and Art History
“Portrait of Covid-19- Exploring the Experience of Healthcare Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic”

Jay Irwin, Ph.D. | Sociology and Anthropology
Huespring Mentorship Training

Mary Perkinson, D.M.A. | Music
“Nebraska HeartBeats”

Allison Schlosser, Ph.D. | Sociology and Anthropology
Peter Szto, Ph.D. | Social Work
“Using Photovoice to Explore College Student Experiences of Emerging from the Covid-19 Pandemic”

Roma Subramanian, Ph.D. | Communication
Mark Gilbert, Ph.D. | Art and Art History
Jonathan Santo, Ph.D. | Psychology
“How mental illness iconography influences anti-stigma responses: A focus on image realism”

Peter Szto, Ph.D. | Social Work
Jay Irwin, Ph.D. | Sociology and Anthropology
“Visualizing Psychiatric Space”