About me
The Power of the Regard: A New Perspective on Art and Medicine in the French Classroom
Location: West Ballroom
Mentor: Dr. Viviana Pezzullo
This research explores the intersection of art, language, and medicine through the integration of the Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) workshop into the Advanced French language curriculum course for students in STEM/pre-med/psychology. Conducted in collaboration with the Lowe Art Museum, this study examines how engaging with art in French enhances observational, interpretative, and empathetic skills crucial competencies in medical practice. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyze quantitative survey data and qualitative reflections from student participants in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 cohorts. Findings suggest that conducting VTS in a foreign language fosters deeper cognitive engagement, strengthens medical communication skills, and reduces speech anxiety by situating learning in an interactive, museum-based environment. This project contributes to research in foreign language education, medical humanities, and interdisciplinary pedagogy by demonstrating how multilingual and art-based methodologies can enhance medical training. The results have implications for integrating experiential learning in healthcare education, ultimately preparing students for culturally competent patient interactions.
