Posted Date: January 7, 2021

Episode Description: When we talk about the things that define us–the things that make us who we are–, what do we show the world, and what do we keep to ourselves? How is art a tool that we can use to bridge gaps in providing care in medical treatments? These seemingly separate questions come together in this episode, as Irenae Aigbedion (LAC) and Mark Stephens (Penn State College of Medicine) discuss identity dissonance, the value of art in medicine, and discovering the self through the art of mask making. As they discuss the transformative power of mask making in the context of identity formation and medical practice and treatment, the two think through the ways that art can engage with the triple crisis of racial violence, ecological disaster, and global pandemic.

Guest Biography

Mark B. Stephens, MD is Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Professor of Humanities and Master Educator for the Penn State College of Medicine University Park Regional Campus in State College, PA. He completed his undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts from the Pennsylvania State University and also holds a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Penn State. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Stephens served for over 20 years as a family physician for the US Navy, where he retired as Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD. He holds a certificate of added qualifications in Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Stephens’ professional interests include physician wellness, exercise medicine and the use of art to promote professional identity formation in medical education.

Project Title: Behind the Mask: Unmasking Identity 

Project Description: Today, everyone is wearing a mask (or should be!). Face-coverings honor and protect others against the spread of the coronavirus. Sadly, masks have also become widely polarizing–some see it as a threat to their identity. Concurrently, the murders of George Floyd and others add urgency to conversations about systemic racism, social justice and equality. Two crises (systemic racism and COVID-19) are simultaneously colliding. The current social milieu provides the context for the proposed podcase. Using the art of mask making, we are exploring issues of identity to promote conversations about race and healing. We are using mask-making, a guided reflection and moderated dialogue to explore issues of identity, race and social justice. Participants first create a mask to reflect their sense of identity. Participants then write a narrative reflection to describe the story of their mask in the specific context of how they view their sense of self-identity. Finally, participants meet in small groups to discuss their masks and their stories to engage in broader conversations within our specialty about systemic racism and social justice

Check out a few of the masks from Behind the Mask below!