Message from the Dean

Welcome to the most recent edition of the Lumen, the University of Toledo’s College of Medicine and Life Sciences Journal for the medical humanities. Each issue we share with you an impressive array of contributions that bring to our readership insightful works of art and literature that relate to the broad theme of medical humanities. In this issue we see work from faculty and students that range from historic in nature to intimate personal experience. Some in the form of prose, and others in poetry.

Importantly, each piece adds to our perspectives on how medicine, health and disease colors our view of the world. The writers share with us pieces of themselves, to provide a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse perspectives we bring to healthcare. Just yesterday I spent the morning reviewing with students the physical, mechanical and biochemical basis for cardiac left ventricular pressure volume loops in health and disease. We also discussed how alterations result in signs and symptoms of disease. Medical humanities add the next layer, contributing perspectives of the people who take care of those impacted by the shift of the diastolic left ventricular filling pressure upwards, due to hypertrophy of the cardiac myocytes. We consider the person’s ability to care for themselves or loved ones and consider the impact of the ensuing cardiac arrest on their physician’s own sense of safety and mortality. We add a layer of poetry and prose and artwork to depict the meaning of health and disease brought on by these physical, mechanical and biochemical events that are life.

To all the authors in the current edition I share my sincere appreciation for your efforts to bring to us, the readers, your insights.

Christopher J. Cooper, M.D. (he/him/his)

Dean, College of Medicine & Life Sciences

Executive Vice President for Clinical Affairs

Distinguished University Professor

Vice Provost for Educational Health Affairs