Stained glass piece honoring those who donated their bodies to further student medical education, created by Jeannette Chun
Since its dedication on April 6, 2002, the Maren Room has served its original purpose: students often visit between classes and find it a restful and relaxing place where they can read books or magazines, watch videos, examine new exhibits, listen to music or play the piano. Its influence continues to grow. For instance, inspired by a ceremony installing a stained glass piece that honors those who donated their bodies for first year anatomy, Alex Zusman('05) worked with others to create an organization which students named Kaleidoscope , after a previous student group. Kaleidoscope organizes student art exhibitions in the Maren Room, sponsors opening receptions and also plays a role in organizing Remember the Muse, gatherings where students, staff, and faculty meet to share music, poetry and other performing arts. These opportunities give students another way to interact with their classmates, "We get to know each other on a superficial level, but I am convinced that everyone here has something else they're proud of, creative things that we don't know about each other despite sitting next to one another in the same room every day." (Alex Zusman, In The Post , May 2004) Students also created a yoga group called Yomed , that meets regularly in the Maren Room, hiring its own instructors. A new piano, gift of Mrs. Maren, inspired plans for a music library.
Other programs grew because of the Maren Room's presence, allowing the UF-COM to participate in nationwide trends to build medical humanities programs. Since the days of Hippocrates, physicians recognized the science and art of medical practice. In the 1950s when the University of Florida College of Medicine opened, founding dean George Harrell believed that, "Patient care will always be an art which rests on a scientific base." Dr. Harrell also created the first humanities department in a medical school at Hershey, PA. The growth of such programs increased in the late 20 th century. At Columbia University, Dr. Rita Charon (above left, center) realized that physicians would be better able to diagnose and treat their patients if they understand narrative structure, creating "narrative medicine." Medical humanities; history of medicine, literature, arts, and medicine, offer a means to broaden physician sympathy and empathy and to help physicians cope with increasing pressures of practice and patient expectations. With the Maren Room serving as inspiration and with additional funds from the Maren Foundation, the College of Medicine offered a narrative medicine speaker series and developed two elective courses, including one in narrative medicine, with a book discussion group, and another in reflective writing. Support and participation from the Center for Spirituality and Health enabled development of a film course. An endowment from the Maren Foundation and generous donations from students, faculty and alumni allow the book and film collections to continue growing.
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| The Maren Room with displays and portrait
of Dr. Maren. |
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Displays and Exhibits
Dr. Thomas H. Maren
