South Middlesex Times

Rutgers Health has embraced the intersection of medicine and art through its annual literary journal, Ars Literarium. The publication was initiated by Sanjila Islam, a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) alumna, in 2016. It serves as a creative outlet for faculty, staff, and students to express themselves through narrative medicine.

The journal's name, derived from Latin meaning "the art of literature," reflects its purpose of encouraging contributors to explore their emotions via artistic mediums. Submissions are solicited from across Rutgers Health and curated by student editors and faculty advisors.

Islam emphasized the journal's role in promoting self-reflection and emotional healing among healthcare workers. "The art of medicine is an indispensable part of being a physician," she stated. Islam highlighted how the publication aids stress management through compelling visuals and narratives.

Ars Literarium features diverse contributions including poetry, short stories, and visual art that address themes like patient care experiences, depression, race relations, travel, and anatomical sketches. Tanya Norment from The Healthcare Foundation of NJ Center for Humanism and Medicine described it as one of their signature initiatives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ars Literarium released a special issue addressing the challenges faced by healthcare workers. Manasa Ayyala from NJMS praised these poignant submissions for capturing various aspects of healthcare experiences.

Andrew Berman noted his joy in observing creative submissions over the years while serving as a faculty advisor. Each edition sees new NJMS student teams taking on roles such as editor-in-chief and graphic designers to produce the publication.

Rebecca Ho expressed her excitement about joining Ars Literarium due to her background in humanities during her undergraduate studies. A poem titled "The Day My Stethoscope Heard Nothing" by Dr. Nicholas Bellacicco exemplifies the importance of narrative reflection in processing experiences within healthcare settings.

Readers can access current and past issues of Ars Literarium online.