Learn how one UAB program is integrating the arts into healthcare

Sponsored

Did you know UAB teamed up with the Alys Stephens Center and UAB Medicine to kickstart Alabama’s very first Arts in Medicine (AIM) program back in 2013? Fast forward a decade and it’s been a game-changer. Read on to discover how patients, families and front-line staff have been healing through creativity with music, poetry, dance, painting and more.

What is Arts in Medicine?

AIM is an awesome program that brings creative arts into healthcare to boost physical and mental well-being. They’re shaking up care environments with cool experiences led by trained artists and creative arts therapists. It’s not just for patients—it’s for families and staff too.

From storytelling to painting, cool experiences are brought directly to patients or to group workshops. 

Here are some more activities AIM offers:

• Expressive writing + poetry
• Hand-sewing + embroidery
• Movement + dance
• Relaxation + meditation

Customized art kits, coloring pages and even jokes and brain games can also be delivered to patients.

“The Arts in Medicine program started organically here at UAB. Like most good things, it came from a good idea, conceived around the fact that the arts have been healing for longer than modern medicine. 

We’re very focused in a medical environment on modern medicine, but our goal at UAB Medicine is to always look at the whole patient. We realized 10 years ago that we had an opportunity to do that.”

Jordan DeMoss, Executive Vice President, UAB Medicine

Help AIM offer comfort and hope to hospital patients through a donation today.

Arts in Medicine at UAB through the years

Wondering how all the magic began? In 2013 a few resources were offered at Children’s of Alabama as part of ArtPlay, and then shortly after a pilot program started at UAB for 10 hours a week.

The following year AIM became a separate department known as UAB Arts in Medicine and expanded services across UAB Medicine, Children’s of Alabama and then St. Vincent’s East Behavioral Health.

Currently, AIM has served over 200,000 people across Birmingham and the US through in-person and virtual programs

AIM doesn’t just help those receiving or providing care in hospitals. It also: 

• Brings creativity to seniors in HUD-subsidized living facilities.
• Provides in-person + virtual programs for those with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Get involved with Arts in Medicine in Birmingham

If you’re a patient at UAB Medicine or a family member and you want to get in on the AIM action, you can:

• Request a referral from a member of your care team.
• Give AIM a shout directly.
• Want to join AIM as a volunteer? Email Lauren at laurenme@uab.edu for opportunities.

Their team can hook you up with cool resources like activities with artists or even personalized art projects. 

AIM programs are available to patients and family members of all ages and ability levels. Once a request has been made, an artist will be in contact within 24-48 hours.

BONUS: Check out AIM’s virtual resources! I recently attended a Virtual Mental Health Monday event, and it was such an eye-opener. I left with new knowledge about amazing programs such as storytelling and creative arts therapies from the founding artists in residence. It was inspiring to hear first-hand how the arts is impacting the healing process of patients and families.

Sign up for Virtual Mental Health Monday with Arts in Medicine

• What: Hear from experts on health + wellness topics. February’s session features a nonprofit that promotes reconciliation, healing and repair through arts, education + cultural programming. 
• When: Monday, Feb. 19 | Noon
• Cost: Free
• Register 

Stay up to date with all things happening with UAB’s Arts in Medicine program by following them on Instagram and Facebook.

Sponsored by: