For those who attended the first annual Medical Humanities Symposium on April 9th, 2021, you know that that Friday was a big day for the Medical Humanities at UTA! We were able to hear from professors and students in a variety of fields with many diverse interests and contributions to the Medical Humanities, followed by our spotlight speaker, internet celebrity Dr. Mike Varshavski!
We spoke briefly about the journal at the symposium as well to unveil our front cover for the first time. This cover, currently pictured to the left, is the result of the work and creative energy of our team (especially our Head of Design, Darin Hardin) and more importantly, UTA student Sami Ali, who's digital art submission, Souls Tearing Apart, was chosen to be featured front and center on our first cover page.
Sami's piece is based around the uncertainty and isolation that so many experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sami writes that "the art piece depicts two hands, trying to get hold of each other, but Covid-19 (represented by the paper tear) has disconnected them. The contrast between the colors helps to visualize the deep emotions people are feeling during the pandemic".
The formatting around Sami's piece was chosen by our team and created by Darin Hardin. The most notable choice is the presence of our journal's logo, created by Caroline Nguyen, which is placed behind the "us" in "Stimulus"-- this is an intentional choice to highlight the ways in which this journal is a showcase of "us", with "us" being the UTA students, faculty, and alumni who are displaying their true selves through their art and unique experiences in this journal.
We, the editors, are more excited everyday to share the final publication of this journal with the world. To see more incredible art like Sami's, please check back in with our website in mid-May of 2021. We can't wait to share this collection of creations!
- Your editors, Karyssa Nelson and Thu Nguyen