Volume 11

March - 2020

Cover: Old Man Rebel

RIP Mr. Rebel, you grumpy old man. If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

The study of art has been a constant friend, helping me bring drawings "to life" since I was little. As I got better at making my subjects look real, it became evident that this still was not enough...No matter how much I practiced, no matter how much love I poured into them, those drawings weren't really alive. So, being my good friend, the practice of art helped me in the practice of medicine. It was like discovering a new medium.

Letter from the Editors:

I understand that currently our nation and world are facing a new pandemic and in an unprecedented state of time. Before jumping into any of this volume, I want to first thank all of those within emergency medicine who are the frontlines of this pandemic risking their own health for the safety of others. I am honored by your time, commitment, and sacrifice.

That being said, welcome to Art of Emergency Medicine, a curated art blog dedicated to showcasing the creative side of emergency professionals! We have an extra packed issue this month perfect for anyone looking to relax and enjoy after a long shift in the ED or while practicing their social distancing at home.

Our profession’s response to COVID19 is highlighted in many of the pieces this month. Within you will see the importance of caring for yourself and finding that connection to art/nature/people that rejuvenates you and your emotions. I hope that you will be inspired to follow suit and practice whatever is most important for your own well-being during this stressful time. We can’t wait to see what you create with a sudden increase in time at home.

Most importantly; Be kind. Be patient. Be a team.

The Way Down

I think art has a way to connect us as human beings. We can all appreciate beauty in the nature around us. Natural beauty has a way of restoring the sense of awe and wonder that is part of being human. I think we can find things worth photographing every day if we slow down and take the time to be intentional.

A Day in the Life of an emergency physician during covid-19

5:oo am: Wake up and shower; gotta be nice and clean to battle the new bugs infiltrating Hospital Woeisme.

5:30 am: Down my coffee and bagel while driving to work so I don’t have to eat my breakfast in the emergency department. My husband always complains that my car is a mess so at least now I have a valid excuse: Honey I have to eat in my car! It’s for my safety!

5:50 am: Douse myself in Purell and sanitize my computer before sitting down.

8:43 am: No potential COVID-19 patients yet, just the usual pre-C array of car accidents, strokes, heart attacks, and gunshot wounds.

9:10 am: A patient arrives with a fever and cough, along with some other concerning complaints – a potential COVID-19 patient.  

9:13: Readying myself for battle involves donning a flimsy yellow gown, disposable gloves (which become permeable after 12 minutes of use*), and an N95 mask retrieved from a locked cabinet (of which we have almost run out, and I must use several times). Instead of the shared pair of clunky plastic goggles for eye protection, I sport my personal pair of pink-rimmed safety glasses, designed by the medicofashion company Chic Cheeks. Being in the midst of an apocalypse is no reason not to be fashionable!

9:28: My patient concerns me and I want to order the COVID-19 test. The test is password protected. I call infection control to get the password. I am denied testing by this non-physician because my patient has not traveled – but meets all other high-risk criteria. I tried to argue logic and common sense and was informed, “We’re operating under protocols, not common sense.” My head briefly explodes.

9:42 am: Infection control denied the testing my colleague requested as well.

10:51 am: My nails are getting chipped from the constant hand washing. I think about getting a manicure after my shift, but realize that I’m socially isolating, and my nail salon is probably closed anyway. Sigh. #COVIDworldproblems.

11:10 am: Every physician is being denied testing. My tech-savvy colleague figures out a backdoor way to order the illicit swab, subverting the requisite password. She shares her process around the ED and with all nearby hospitals, including our rival Our Lady of the Last Breathe, waging a war not only against the virus but against bureaucracy.

12:30: The ED is packed, more than usual for a weekday, jamming up our new entryway. I realize I haven’t gone to the bathroom all day. I thought about going few hours ago but got distracted.

12:33 am: Ahh, so much better.

12:48 am: A colleague lets slip a single cough. We all look at her as if she’s got the plague. Which she might. But this plague, you know, not the old plague.

1:43 pm: Find out we don’t have the swabs to obtain the sample for the illicit test. Seriously? How hard are they trying to make this?? How about using a Q-tip? I bet we could find some of those.

2:00 pm: My shift is over, in theory, but I don’t myself leaving for the foreseeable future.

3:48 pm: Finally finished charting and done for the day. I wear my mask until safely in the confines of my objective messy but (probably) disease-free car.

4:20 pm: Strip down on reaching my front door. The neighbors are politely trying not to look. I throw my scrubs into a biohazard bag and then the incinerator (aka my washing machine). I shower again in an attempt to rinse off any bugs that might have nabbed a ride home with me.

5:15 pm: Participate in #QuaranatiniHour with my friends and colleagues. We’re self-isolating so we send toasts and well wishes via text and Twitter. We commiserate about the barriers to testing and people refusing to #staythefuckhome.

7:12 pm: Hubby, who has been relegated to working from home by his company because of me, his super high-risk wife, preps dinner. Silver lining, no?

9:23 pm: I lay out clean scrubs before bed and prepare for another day on the front lines. Tomorrow I’m packing serious heat – I’m bringing a Super Soaker full of Purell and a ton of Q-tips. Watch out you little effing buggers, I’m coming for you.

_____

*Baker, Jason, and Matthew WagnerApr. “Nine Myths About Disposable Safety Gloves.” Occupational Health & Safety, 1 Apr. 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2020 from https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2010/04/01/Nine-Myths-About-Disposable-Safety-Gloves.aspx.

From the Author:

Humor is my coping mechanism. My satire is not meant to make light of the virus, but rather, to give me a space where I can try to wrap my head around it and process it all. I believe we could all use some levity right now, and I once heard something about laughter being the best medicine.

Saguaro i

This epic saguaro cactus lives around the corner from a gas station bathroom along Highway 1, somewhere south of Ensenada in Baja, Mexico. Looking for and finding moments of peace and connection to the universe like this- even in unlikely places- is one of the joys of emergency medicine.

Succulent Hearts: A Case Series

Social distancing has given me ample opportunity to practice my craft. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t something that I practiced previously after long shifts or following exhausting exams. Getting out with my camera is rejuvenating in a way I cannot describe and I appreciate the small details that flood our world. In this time more than ever, it is still important to find reasons to be outside. To have the refreshing wind and sun brush against your skin. I’ve appreciated the time to hunt succulents within my own neighborhood to gather my thoughts. I hope you all are continuing to take time to care for yourselves and find those activities that rejuvenate you even in this time of social distancing.

Do you want to see your art shared with the community? Don’t forget to submit today!

Finally, don’t forget to share Art of Emergency Medicine with your colleagues, friends, and family on Twitter or Instagram and like us on Facebook for all the latest news!

This Months Featured Artists:

Dan Dworkis, MD, PHD

Dan Dworkis, MD PhD, is a board-certified emergency physician and the founder of The Emergency Mind which digs into lessons from the emergency department and beyond about performance during a crisis and applying knowledge under pressure. His art is a mix of the rhythm of the natural world and the chaos of the emergency department. See more of his work on Instagram.

Elishka Holmquist

My name is Elishka. I am an AEMT and paramedic student working in Atlanta, Georgia. The study of art has been a constant friend, helping me bring drawings "to life" since I was little. As I got better at making my subjects look real, it became evident that this still was not enough...No matter how much I practiced, no matter how much love I poured into them, those drawings weren't really alive. So, being my good friend, the practice of art helped me in the practice of medicine. It was like discovering a new medium. For 11 years I have worked towards a dream of becoming a surgeon. One day, I will work beyond the confinement of paper to translate the skills I grew with art to bring people back to life instead.

Robert Lam, MD

I am a practicing emergency physician and Director of Physician Wellness at UCHealth Southern region in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have a passion for advocating for physician resilience and well-being. As such, I believe we all need outlets for creativity and actives that help us to recharge from our stressful jobs. I seek out places of natural beauty and the outdoors for recreation and adventure. Photography has allowed me to capture and share those experiences. See more at his twitter.

Stephanie Benjamin, MD

Physician in Emergency Medicine. Started painting as a challenge to myself. Started with watercolor, then progressed to acrylics and now playing with oils. I love everything creative including photography, writing, blogging, beading and quilting.

Jonathan Warren, MD

A PGY-2 at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and founder of Art of Emergency Medicine. His hobbies include photography, hiking, Netflix, and dogs. He’s always on the lookout for the next adventure. Find more of his photography on Instagram.

You can learn more about the artists featured in this and other volumes at our contributors page!