Art in the Libraries--Health Sciences Library
Fall Exhibits in Health Sciences Library
Prescriptions for Change: Value Voting in Healthcare
A rotational exhibit of mixed media from Skyrocket: What Drug Prices Do, by Katy Giebenhain
Health Sciences Library, August 2024 - May 2025
"Prescriptions" presents a thought-provoking exploration of healthcare disparities and pharmaceutical politics with rotating works by artist and poet Katy Giebenhain. Inspired by the urgent need for equitable access to medicines, these mixed media collages, poems and other works examine the clinical, personal, and political dimensions of healthcare.
Through a blend of artistic expression and social commentary, Katy’s works confront formulary exclusions, pharmaceutical industry lobbying, and the alarming rise in prescription drug costs. Each piece invites reflection on the complexities of our healthcare system and the critical importance of public health initiatives and will be complemented by a statement from a WVU healthcare worker on the issues.
The exhibition will compel viewers to consider the profound impact of prescription medications on individuals and society at large, especially during this pivotal election year. The accessibility of healthcare, including prescription medications, is a fundamental concern that affects every one of us, making informed voting decisions crucial for the well-being of our communities. Whether intimately familiar with the challenges of obtaining necessary medications or just beginning to explore these issues, "Prescriptions" offers a compelling narrative that will resonate with all.
Katy: “Access to medicines is an issue that finds its way into many of our healthcare stories. It is clinical, personal, and political. Made in the spirit of public health and medical humanities, these mixed media collages reference formulary exclusions, pharmaceutical industry lobbying, and the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. We can do better. Really.”
Katy Giebenhain’s artwork has appeared in American Journal of Nursing, The Northern Virginia Review, AMA Journal of Ethics the exhibit Skyrocket: What drug prices do at Waldo’s and the 2022 Examined Life Conference at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Her poems have appeared in The Arkansas Review, The Healing Muse, the National Academy of Medicine Expressions of Clinician Well-Being Digital Gallery, The Pittsburgh Quarterly, New Welsh Review, Essential Voices: A COVID-19 Anthology and elsewhere. Her BFA in Art is from Oregon State. Her creative writing MPhil is from University of South Wales (Glamorgan). Her MA in Publications Design is from University of Baltimore. She occasionally blogs at Big Pharma and the Barkeep: www.katygiebenhain.com/blog.
5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish Pediatric Oncology Provider Training
Interprofessional Award Winning Project 2024
Exhibit on View: Health Sciences Library, August-December 2024
By: Ryan Massinople, DDS, Kara Lobban, Kamryn Jefferson, BS Payten Brown, BS, Blair Lewis, BS, Chance Brown, BS
West Virginia University, School of Dentistry, School of Medicine
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend applying fluoride varnish to all children every 3-6 months, starting from when their first teeth appear. This helps reduce the risk of cavities.
Children undergoing cancer treatment are at a much higher risk for cavities due to side effects like dry mouth. This is highlighted by the CAMBRA (Caries Risk Assessment by Risk Management) standard of care.
This exhibit highlights the collaborative study that evaluated how well healthcare providers understand the importance of fluoride varnish, their comfort level with using it, and their willingness to include it in the treatment plans for pediatric cancer patients to reduce their risk of cavities; their findings and recommendations.
The West Virginia University Office of Interprofessional Education, in collaboration with WVU Libraries, honors students and faculty and staff with Awards for Excellence in Interprofessional Education. For more information visit: https://health.wvu.edu/interprofessional-education/faculty-and-staff/ipe-awards/
Photography by Allan Jones
An exhibit of various medical microscopic photographs using an Olympus polarizing microscope at a 10X objective. These photos are showcased in the Health Sciences Library study rooms.
After graduating from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and a biomedical photography internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Florida, Allan Jones began his medical photography profession at the WVU Hospital/Eye Center before continuing his career for 17 years at the King Khaled eye Hospital and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia. After returning to the WVU Eye Institute in 2004, Allan retired in 2008.
Life: Magnified
The installation is a selection of images from the NIH National Institute of General Medical Science's Life: Magnified's collection. The original exhibit was featured at Washington Dulles International Airport, and was the inspiration for this project. The images include cells from the human body, in addition to cells and structures of model organisms like fruit flies and zebrafish. Though many of the vibrant colors do not occur naturally, the chemical dyes and enhancements are a normal part of the processes that allow researchers to study structures within a cell. Specially ordered, low-profile light boxes enhance the colors and structures displayed in the photographs. More information about the project can be found on the NIH website.