Medical Humanities
Medicine today is shaped by rapid advances in science and technology. Breakthroughs in genomics, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and clinical innovation are transforming how diseases are understood, diagnosed, and treated. At the same time, health care delivery is evolving to improve access, address disparities, manage rising costs, and ensure that care remains equitable, ethical, and patient-centered.
These developments bring important questions to the forefront:
- How should emerging technologies be used responsibly?
- How do we balance scientific capability with patient autonomy?
- What principles should guide decisions at the beginning and end of life, or the distribution of limited medical resources?
- How do we prepare future physicians to navigate these issues with clarity, compassion, and professionalism?
Medical Humanities-Related Courses
- Regular Electives
Course Name
Course Number
Instructors
Ethics In Clinical Research
ACR 5105W / CTM 5105W
Elizabeth Heitman, Ph.D.
Explore Medical Humanities
LIB 2001
Elizabeth Barksdale, M.S.
Professional Ethics & Issues
CLP 5363
Michael Gottlieb, Ph.D.
Psychiatry & Pop Culture
PSY 2112
Sarah E. Baker, M.D.
- Enrichment Electives
Course Name
Course Number
Instructors
Health Care Economics
ENRH 104
David Auerbach, M.D.
Global Health
ENRH 106
Mary Chang, MD, M.P.H.
Art Of Observation
ENRH 115
Heather Goff, M.D., M.P.H.
Intro To Bioethics
ENRH 131
Frederick Grinnell, Ph.D.
Humanism In Medicine
ENRH 142
Molly Camp, M.D.
Patient Centered Communication Strategies
ENRH-143
Jasmin Tiro, Ph.D.
Religion & Medicine
ENRH 145
Zaiba Jetpuri, D.O.
Culinary Medicine
ENRH 148
Jaclyn Lewis Albin, M.D., FACP, FAAP, Milette Siler, MBA-HC, RD, LD, CCMS, Stuart Ravnik, Ph.D.
Resil Med & Preventing Burnout
ENRH 157
Preston Wiles, M.D.
Pat Nav For Ind Exp Homeless
ENRH 159
Nora Gimpel, M.D., Christoph Lehmann, M.D.
Student Run Free Clinic
ENRH 162
Nora Gimpel, M.D.
Longitudinal Geriatric Med
ENRH 171
Jessica Voit, M.D., Debbie Freeland, M.D.
Hist Ethics & Prac - Med Illus
ENRH 173
Heather Goff, M.D., M.P.H.
Climate Change & Health
ENRH 176
Anusha Govind, M.D.
Lit & Narrative In Medicine
ENRH 179
David Auerbach, M.D., MBA
Additional information can be found at Schedule of Courses.
Medical Humanities Interest Group
Medical Humanities Interest Group was founded in 2000 to promote student enjoyment of the humanities and to stimulate meaningful exploration of the humanities' contribution to medicine. The humanities encompass a broad variety of disciplines, including philosophy, literature, the visual and performing arts, ethics, history, and religion. MHIG is by no means just for experts: it is for all students who, in addition to their interest in becoming competent physicians, enjoy discussing the broader questions of the human condition.
Medical Humanities Journal
MHIG also manages the yearly publication of Scope, UT Southwestern's Arts and Humanities Journal. Scope is an online literary magazine featuring writing and art created by the students, faculty, and staff of UT Southwestern. The magazine serves as a vehicle for the sharing and communication of experiences in medicine, from patient care to medical research, through an artistic lens. Scope seeks quality works and encourages creativity and an atmosphere of openness.
The Nancy J. Solana Lecture in Medical Humanities
In 2017, a generous gift from an anonymous donor endowed the Nancy J. Solana Lecture in Medical Humanities at UT Southwestern Medical School. The lectureship honors the life and work of Nancy J. Solana, a Dallas philanthropist known for her efforts to improve health and human services in the region. Since 2019, the Solana Lecture has been the capstone presentation for the 4th year course “Physicians and Society” each March. Its goal is to highlight the principles of humanistic medicine: open communication, mutual respect, and emotional connection between physicians and their patients. It also aims to foster appreciation of how the medical humanities – literature, history, art, and music – support humanistic medicine.
A committee of UT Southwestern Medical School faculty, students, and staff select the annual Solana Lecturer from locally, regionally, and nationally renowned educators in medical humanities.
For more information, contact the Medical Humanities Interest Group.
Past lecturers:
- 2026 - Perri Klass, M.D.
- 2025 – Salvatore Mangione, M.D.
- 2024 – Kimberly Manning, M.D.
- 2023 – Ellen Langher, Ph.D.
- 2022 – John Harper, M.D.
- 2021 – Megha Shankar, M.D.
- 2020 – Jay Baruch, M.D.
- 2019 – Wendy Harpham, M.D.
Other Medical Humanities Opportunities
- Hippocratic Society - Through collaborative study, discussion, and mentor experience, members focus on historical and modern situations that exemplify virtue ethics such as courage, generosity, humility, and sincerity in a medical context, while actively working to develop these qualities within themselves.
- Ethics Grand Rounds - Lecture topics reflect the multidisciplinary approach of the Ethics Program as it encompasses religion, philosophy, health policy, ethics, and justice, and are held from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month during the academic year.
Faculty Mentors
Students are invited to connect with faculty members interested in medical humanities.