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Aenigma MedicorumVolume 2

2014

Funding provided by the JCESOM Office of Diversity

Printed by Chapman Printing in Huntington, WV

Digital edition available at musom.marshall.edu/students/

aenigmamedicorum/

To submit artwork for next year’s edition, email

aenigmamedicorum@gmail.com

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The Aenigma Medicorum Student Editorial CommitteeFrom left, Meaghan Tranovich, Luke Damron, Sarah Slocum, Madhvi Shah, Ryan Clagg, and Nafeeza Hussain. Not pictured, Hilary Cornell, Jason Childress, Ryann Justice, and Louie Olive.

The Aenigma Medicorum Student Editorial Committee:Sarah Slocum, Executive EditorLuke Damron, Layout Editor

Hilary Cornell, Submissions EditorJason Childress

Ryan ClaggNafeeza Hussain

Ryann JusticeLouie Olive

Madhvi ShahMeaghan Tranovich

Additional design support by Rhanda Damron

We would like to welcome you to the second edition of Aenigma Medicorum, the annual literary and art review of the Joan C. Ed-wards School of Medicine at Marshall University! The name Aenigma Medicorum translates roughly to “the Puzzle of Doctors.” The name acknowledges the fact that there are various components that contribute to the field of medicine, encompassing more than laboratory results, radiological images, and diagnostic criteria. This puzzle also consists of the experiences of health care providers, the refinement of the physician-patient relationship, and providers’ commitment to improve the quality of life of patients and the community. The puzzle emphasizes that both individuals in the partnership learn from one another, which ultimately enriches their lives through the ability to see the perspectives of others. With this publication, we hope to contribute a piece of this puzzle by sharing the creative works of our medical community, including medical students entering the field, established researchers, and physicians with many years of experience. The board is honored to present Aenigma Medicorum and to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture that emphasizes humanism and clinical excel-lence in medical education at Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

We offer much appreciation to the Office of Diversity for providing the funds necessary to publish this project since its inception.

Letter From The Editors

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Table of Contents

8 “Black and White in a Gray World” by Thomas Rushton, M.D.

9 “Jellyfish” by Thomas Rushton, M.D.

10 “Nabakov’s Butterfly” by Thomas Rushton, M.D.

11 “Stained Glass” by Louie Olive

12 “Angkor Wat” by Nafeeza Hussain

13 “Bangkok to Aranyaprathet” by Nafeeza Hussain

14 “Bindi of the Bride” by Adam R. Davis

15 “Fishing on the Sukuti” by Adam R. Davis

16 “Himalayas” by Adam R. Davis

18 “Look Closer” by Rebecca Creel

20 “Damaged Film” by Zachary Sanford

21 “The Mulch of Progress” by Zachary Sanford

23 “Apex Predator” by Zachary Sanford

24 “Ruben” by Madhvi Hemant Shah

25 “The Guide” by Madhvi Hemant Shah

26 “Float” by Sarah Slocum

27 “Select” by Sarah Slocum

28 “Alligator Dog” by Audrey Dean

30-31 “Cape Cod Sunset” by Audrey Dean

34 “Daydreaming in Huntington” by Samir Shah

35 “Sam Gogh” by Samir Shah

37 “Westminster Abbey” by Christopher Murphy

39 “Sublimation” by Jay Bronder

40 “Spring in the Burren” by Hilary Cornell

41 “Grandma’s Kitchen” by Hilary Cornell

43 “The Rook” by Diane Dawley

44 “Lines and Form” by Diane Dawley

45 “Jude” by Bibek Joshi

48 “Bird” by Molly Seidler

49 “Howler” by Molly Seidler

52 “Brontide” by Sarah Slocum

53 “Pasedena” by Sarah Slocum

54-55 “Compliments” by Hilary Cornell

56 “Ashokan Farewell” by Mats Lemberger

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all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

Ansel Adams

photography

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“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of

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by Dr. Thomas Rushton, Graduate Faculty

“Black and White in a Gray World”

“Jellyfish”

Two of the photographs reflect my ongoing exploration of fashion and gender issues. They were taken on 4x5 black and white film.

The jellyfish was just swimming offshore from Montrois, Haiti, do-ing whatever jellyfish seem to do. It was fashionable in its own right and was digital capture.

by Dr. Thomas Rushton, Graduate Faculty

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10

“Nabakov’s Butterfly”

Oxford is this incredibly fantastic, whimsical landscape that’s both beautiful and transient and I thought the stained glass represented this feel of the town. It’s also a pretty awesome piece of stained glass.

“Stained Glass from Christ Church College, Oxford, UK”

by Louie Olive, MUSOM Class of 2016

by Dr. Thomas Rushton, Graduate Faculty

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by Nafeeza Hussain, MUSOM Class of 2016“Angkor Wat”

“Bangkok to Aranyaprathet”by Nafeeza Hussain,

MUSOM Class of 2016

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“Bindi of the Bride”

“Fishing on the Sukuti”

by Adam R. Davis, MUSOM Class of 2017

by Adam R. Davis, MUSOM Class of 2017

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I feel that international travel plays an integral role in the development of a global perspective. By immersing oneself in the culture of a foreign

place it is possible to strip away the beliefs established by one’s upbringing and simply experience the essence of humanity. In the state of “culture shock”, self exam-ination comes with ease and a careful assessment of one’s values can be performed;

separate from national, religious, political, and racial affiliations. These photographs were all taken in Nepal. They are meant to capture the country’s vibrant religious and cultural history, its maintained intimacy with nature, and the majesty of its landscapes. In presenting these images, it is my intent to immerse the viewer in an experience similar to international travel; separate from your beliefs, experience humanity and develop a global perspective

“Himalayas”by Adam R. Davis, MUSOM Class of 2017

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As a biology major in undergrad, I seemingly lived in an impenetra-ble bubble of science courses. Though I was very fond of and wonderfully content with my second home in the science department, I stumbled upon a divergent outlet in a physics course - the study of optics. I spent hours diagram-ming the trajectory of light rays through differing shapes and sizes of lenses, intrigued with the effect they each had on image reflections. From this, my love of amateur photography grew. Several years (and increasingly expensive camer-as) have come and gone since taking that course, but my obsession with capturing unconventional perspectives continues to flourish. The world is filled with people, each with their own subjective view of their surroundings and situations. I believe as representatives of the medical field, we need to be true observers - meaning we need to consider not only our own perspectives but those of others as well. Anything can be “seen” in a multitude of ways, each of which is just as significant as the next.

“Look Closer”by Rebecca Creel,

MUSOM Class of 2017

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“The Mulch of Progress”

Shot on Nikon D3200 DSLR 18-55 mm lens)

Seen sitting here admiring the foliage, Phoe-nice is a 24-year-old female white-handed

gibbon at the Philadelphia Zoo. Shot as part of the zoo’s Visitor Photo of the Week series.

“Damaged Film”

Shot on iPhone 5

Going bankrupt in 2012, Kodak joined the ever-growing list of once indispensable technology that is quickly being replaced in a tumul-tuous landscape of advancement. Paradoxically, as this generation grows increasingly dependent on photography Kodak found itself on the wrong end of progress and failed to adapt to electronic rather than print media.

by Zachary Sanford, MUSOM Class of 2016

by Zachary Sanford, MUSOM Class of 2016

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Zachary Sanford is a second-year medical student at the Joan C. Ed-ward School of Medicine at Marshall University. When not in a clinical setting, Zachary can usually be found traveling and sightseeing, where he finds the subjects for his photography. It is a lifelong dream of his to set foot on every continent and visit as many countries and regions as is humanly possible where he can combine his love of travel with his skills as a future clinician.

Shot on Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V

The Steller’s Sea Eagle is one of the largest species of eagle in exis-tence. With an average wingspan of 7 feet and a weight of up to 20 pounds, this bird of prey has little to fear (in fact it has no natural predators). Found natively along coasts of the western Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia, this specimen was seen at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

“Apex Predator”by Zachary Sanford, MUSOM Class of 2016

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“Alligator Dog”

Since I was a little girl I have been overly fascinated with taking photographs. At age 4 I got in trouble for using up the cupboard full of disposable camer-as taking countless pictures of my Troll dolls lined up in front of a hillside drawing I’d diligently made for the scenic background. Through high school and college I went through at least ten different dig-ital cameras because I brought them literally every-where I went in order to capture every moment as a photo- all while losing each camera in a fateful accident involving moving vehicles, great heights, swift water, or alcoholic beverage use. When I gradu-ated from college I was fortune enough to receive a Nikon D3200 to pursue my photography interest. The opportunity to use this DSLR marvel has inspired me to learn a lot about how to capture mem-ories in a way that is MUCH more advanced than my borrowed disposable camera days, but in a way that still serves the same pur-pose- to capture ordinary moments in a lasting way. Additionally, I hope that photos I take and share can serve as means of enjoyment for those who view my photo who may have shared the experience with me or who may have precious memories of their own sparked by viewing mine.

by Audrey Dean, MUSOM Class of 2016

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“Cape Cod Sunset” by Audrey Dean, MUSOM Class of 2016

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You can only express in words what words are capable of expressing-- what language can communicate. Painting has nothing to do with that.”

Gerhard Richter

paintings“To talk about

is not only difficult but perhaps pointless too.

I have always been fascinated with photography but never had the budget for a professional camera. I quickly learned that if I wanted professional pictures on a cellphone camera budget I would have to learn to use Adobe Photoshop. Through experimentation and tutorials from the internet my work went from simple upgrades to digital art. I began working on photoshop more and more to the point where my work looks nothing like the original photograph. I currently have over a hundred pieces ranging from digital alterations of family and friends to scenic wildlife in Sub-Saharan Africa or Huntington for that matter. It’s become a pasttime of mine and I continue to enjoy it.

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“Sublimation” Acrylic on canvas

by Jay Bronder, MUSOM Class of 2015Growing up I was exposed to a variety of artistic experiences including dance, voice, performance art, and instruments. Thanks Mom! However, after college, work, and med school I unfortunately have drifted away from these creative outlets. A few other students shared with me that they painted and I thought this would be a great way to redis-cover my creative side that doesn’t require a lot of materials and time. I’m very interested in neuroscience, hence the type of image I created. Very surprisingly, I really found a sense of accomplishment and emotional release creating this piece. I hope to continue my newfound hobby.

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by Hilary Cornell, MUSOM Class of 2017

“Spring in the Burren”

“Grandma’s Kitchen”

As long as I can remember, I have had two passions: science and the arts. I trained for 15 years in classical ballet and stud-ied dance composition and improvisation in college. I have spent a large amount of time over the last several years honing my drawing and painting skills.

by Hilary Cornell, MUSOM Class of 2017

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“The Rook” by Diane Dawley, MUSOM MD/PhD student

One of the most basic pieces of advice for drawing is to draw what you actually see, not what you think you see. This is an exercise not only in technique, but in understanding the unique filter through

which we view the world around us, and how much we take for granted. Through this first year of school, I have gained a much deeper appreciation for how limited the human body is, and awe for how much we can do in spite of these limitations. Studying the human body from the chromosomes up, each level of structure differs enormously from the one above and below it. As in academics, I en-

joy drawing as a way to explore the parts separate from the whole, in order to better appreciate their significances. The beauty of written language, using an excerpt from my favorite book, and how a dozen different patterns naturally come together are two of these investiga-tions. Through them, I hope to encourage viewers to contemplate the small and the everyday in new ways.

“The Rook” - Watercolor and ink, excerpt from “Jude The Ob-scure” by Thomas Hardy

“Line and Form” - Ink

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“JUDE” by Bibek Joshi, MUSOM Class of 2017

I enjoy capturing the effect of light and shadows on faces. I like the classic, nostalgic look that can be achieved using graphite and char-coal on paper.

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is more logical and scientific and makes you worry about gravity.”

Damien Hirst

sculpture“Painting is so poetic, while

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“Bird” by Molly Seidler, MUSOM Class of 2014

I taught myself to weld about 10 years ago while building a CJ-5. While in college I had little money to spend on gifts so I created sculptures for my friends and family out of scrap metal and broken parts left over from a Jeep

“Howler” by Molly Seidler, MUSOM Class of 2014

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leaving those who look through to guess about what is seen during the moment.”

Carl Sandburg

"Poetryis the opening and closing of a door,

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I never knew there was a wordfor my favorite roarWhen shakes rattleyour bonesand you turn, face upwardsfor first dropsfrom dark and cloudy sky

“Brontide”

For me, poems are an emotional photo-graph. They allow me to describe things that, in a single instant, are so monumentally important that I have to get them out. My poems are usually simple glimpses of the everyday – favorite memories that I don’t want to forget. “BRONTIDE” was inspired by a dictionary word-of-the-day that I had no idea existed. “PASADENA”, written about a family trip to California last summer, con-jures up dreams of warm wind and the smell of horses. It was written on cardstock using a 1950s Remington Quiet-Riter, which my mother gave me as a birthday present some years ago. The name is a misnomer – the thing is so loud it could raise the dead. I love it.

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“Compliments”“Hey, girl, I’m not tryin’ to hit on you or nothin’, but damn! You are gorgeous.” You shout through the barely-open tinted window of your black SUVI can feel my heartbeat in the back of my throat.“Slow down, baby. I ain’t bein’ a creep. I’m just giving you a compliment.” Your face looks hurt, as though you were expecting thanks for your unsolicited appraisal.

“Howdy, miss,” you say as our paths cross; you raise the peak of your baseball cap to reveal greasy blonde hair. I meet your toothless grin with a half-smile and a nod, but still feel your gaze as I walk past. “MmmMmmMmm,” you exclaim, just loud enough for me to hear. “She got a donk!”I weigh the risk of making a rude gesture but decide to walk on.(Wouldn’t want to make a scene)

You slow down in your sports car to follow just behind me as I walk. As you tilt your sunglasses down, a long slow whistle escapes your pursed lips. (What would your mother think if she could see you now?

Would she be ashamed? Would your father high-five you and join in?)I want to ask you, but I don’t.

Because I know that there is nothing that can stop you. Nothing I can say or do to make you leave me alone, No safe time or place, No article clothing that can ward off the relentless piercing stares. No amount of feminist theory that can save me now.No, the only thing that may provide relief is the slow turning of the years.

Maybe on the day that the skin around my eyes wrin-kles like the petals of a rose after autumn’s first frost, I will remind you of your mother or your grandmother. Maybe the year that my hair turns as white as the hills during a snowstorm, You will help me carry my groceries or shovel my walk. Maybe after gravity has taken its toll you will tip your hat and smile and see me as a person.

Until then, I remain taut and tense,Mistrusting everyone as a ruleAlways ready, counting my optionsWary of every kind gesture or “compliment.”

Poetry is a form with which I have only re-cently begun to experiment. I wrote “Compli-ments” after a conversation with several female friends during which we exchanged stories of street harassment. It made me angry to realize that this is a pervasive problem that all women encounter at some point in their lives. I was so disheartened to think that there was no recourse for women in these situations, and my anger pushed me to write the poem. Each

vignette in the poem represents a real experience; the quotes are ver-batim, to the best of my knowledge and memory.

by Hilary Cornell, MUSOM Class of 2017

“Ashokan Farewell” by Mats Lemberger, BMS

Music is healing. I performed my arrangement of Jay Ungar’s lament “Ashokan Farewell” at last year’s Memorial Service for Donors to the Human Gift Registry, and it was a poignant experience. I offer this rendition in the hope that it might lift the spirits of others.

Audio of “Ashokan Farewell” is available online at http://musom.marshall.edu/students/aenigmamedicorum/

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