NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2019 - 21

SUMMER/FALL 2019

ust after checking into a hotel during
a recent trip to Philadelphia, I was
pleasantly surprised to see that the
walls in the lobby were decorated with
photographs that had been taken by a
former student of mine. Mark Ayzenberg,
MD, was a member of the charter class
at Geisinger Commonwealth School of
Medicine. Determined to avoid burnout, he
started photographing some of his favorite
spots in Philadelphia during his residency, a
hobby that eventually grew into a business.
(Additionally, his artistic interests include
playing guitar, piano, drums and ukulele.)

Medicine is a rewarding career and I could
not be nearly as good a doctor, or as open to
my patients, if I didn't have the arts in my life.

little circle," and he is grateful to have had
high school teachers who introduced him
to music, theater and the arts in general.
Harmar Brereton, MD, a radiation oncologist and jazz pianist, believes medicine
and music are both apprenticeships. "You
Medicine is as much an art as it is a admire others and find what works and what
science. Listening, observing and communi- doesn't work and the traits that will make
cating effectively are skills that are essential you better," he said.
for patient care and can be enhanced
through the arts. The listening skills and
Finding balance in life can be challenging,
diligence in practice that are associated with particularly for busy physicians and medical
mastery of a musical instrument are useful students, but having interests outside of
qualities that can positively influence our medicine can help. Despite his demanding
approach to patient care.
schedule, Dr. Brereton says he sits down
for five minutes at the piano before leaving
I am fortunate to work in addiction home each morning. His passions for music
medicine, a specialty that emphasizes a and medicine have always coincided since
holistic approach to patient care. Music his days as an undergraduate history major.
and art therapy with a focus on spiritual
well-being are integral parts of treatment
First-year medical students Emily Christie
programs for patients in treatment for and Jessie DeAngelis, both of whom play
substance use disorders. Carol Diefenbach, alto sax, started a jazz band known as The
a drug and alcohol counseling specialist at Arrythmias. To prevent additional stress for
Geisinger Marworth, is an opera singer and band members, they decided that practice
co-founded the Delaware Opera Company sessions wouldn't be mandatory. Rather than
thirty-two years ago. Her background in becoming an additional stressor, the sestheater helps her to connect with patients. sions provided emotional release, especially
during exam weeks. Playing jazz allows band
Steven Scheinman, MD, dean of Geisinger members to express themselves creatively
Commonwealth School of Medicine, is also while working together as a team, skills
an opera singer and played the trombone which are important for future physicians.
in high school. He once said, "Medicine
is a rewarding career and I could not be
Members of the Geisinger Commonnearly as good a doctor, or as open to my wealth family share their creative works such
patients, if I didn't have the arts in my life." as narrative writing, poetry and artwork for
In Dean Scheinman's words, "The arts open publication in Black Diamonds, a literary jouryour eyes to the world beyond your own nal that explores the intersection between

medicine and the arts, while providing an
outlet for artistic expression.
The students also organize a yearly talent
show which has featured performances by
the acapella groups Flatline and Cerebellas,
and of course, the Arrythmias. Community
groups are also welcome to participate and
the ukulele troupe known as the Kennedy
Creek Strummers has performed in past
shows. In addition to the performances,
the talent shows have included culinary
contests and fine art displays.
The combination of being highly intuitive
and having strong cognitive abilities is
frequently present in musical performers,
and these traits are a natural fit for health
care professionals. Similarly, the observation skills required for visual arts such
as fine art photography are essential for
clinical practice. During an interview for a
sports medicine fellowship, Dr Ayzenberg
was asked if there might be a connection
between his photography and the ability
to visualize problems in a joint during
arthroscopic surgery. This connection was
something he hadn't even considered before.
Finding the right balance whether through
music, visual arts or other ventures can help
us stay grounded and ultimately improve
the care we provide for our patients.
OLAPEJU SIMOYAN, MD, MPH,
BDS, FAAFP is an Associate Professor
at the Geisinger Commonwealth School
of Medicine. She is also the Associate
Medical Director at Geisinger Marworth
and the director of the Geisinger Health
System's addiction medicine fellowship.

The information on Drs. Scheinman and Brereton was adapted from the 2015 issue of Black Diamonds. The information on Dr. Ayzenberg was adapted from the 2018 issue and the upcoming issue (2019) includes
an article on the student jazz group, The Arrythmias.

Recent issues of Black Diamonds can be viewed online at: https://issuu.com/geisingercommonwealth/docs/blackdiamonds2018 .
For further information or to request hard copies of Black Diamonds, including previous issues, please contact

Dr. Simoyan at osimoyan@som.geisinger.edu.

N E PA

VITAL SIGNS

https://www.issuu.com/geisingercommonwealth/docs/blackdiamonds2018

NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2019

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