Welcome to the Georgetown Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program (AHP) newsletter. In this week's issue, we learn more about the annual Poetry Café, read an interview from GU OPS president Caroline Ericsson, and the AHP lets us know how to get a copy of Lombardi Voices, Spring 2024.

The 9th Annual Virtual Poetry Café

"Elegance and Eloquence"

April 25th from 2 pm- 3 pm

Join us for the AHP 9th Annual Virtual Poetry Café!

The Poetry Café celebrates the healing that comes from the written word. The Poetry Café is full of inspiration, courage, reflection, enthusiasm, and vulnerability.

Register for the Poetry Café on Eventbrite

An Interview with AHP Faculty Director Julia Langley about the Poetry Café

How did the Poetry Café begin?

The idea for the Poetry Café came from Deacon Tom Devaney, former Director of the Department of Mission and Pastoral Care. The AHP worked with Deacon Devaney and his team to present concerts in the hospital chapel. Seeing the positive response to the music programming, Deacon Devaney suggested that an event focusing on the written word would be a good idea. The AHP agreed and the Poetry Café was launched.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Poetry Café was held only in the hospital chapel. Then, out of necessity it became a virtual event. This had the happy result of allowing more people, from all over the states and in several different countries to attend. Over the years, the attendance has grown steadily. Each year we are pleased to welcome patients, staff, caregivers, and the broader community.

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How does the Café fit into the AHP?

Nancy Morgan, Director Emeritus of the AHP, created Lombardi Voices, the AHP's annual poetry journal, and led expressive writing classes in the clinic, along with AHP artist-in-residence, Michelle Berberet. Poems created in the expressive writing workshops, as well those created by patients, medical and administrative staff, caregivers and community members were welcomed for submission to Lombardi Voices. Giving people the opportunity to read their poems in the Poetry Café seemed a natural extension of the process already at hand. 

This year, we present our 9th Annual Poetry Café. More than 20 writers will read their work to an enthusiastic audience of colleagues, friends and loved ones. Anyone is welcome to join. The event is free of charge, however registration is required via Eventbrite.

Register for the Poetry Café on Eventbrite

In the Fall, the AHP will be offering new expressive writing workshops led by artists-in-residence, Michelle Berberet and Dylan Klempner. 

Stay tuned to this newsletter for more information coming in the summer.

An Interview with GU OPS President Caroline Ericsson

GU OPS President Caroline Ericsson (second to left)

with fellow GU OPS volunteers.

Tell me about yourself. What's your major and background? 

My name is Caroline Ericsson, and I am a senior at Georgetown majoring in Biology and French on the pre-medical track. I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and I am the current President of Georgetown University Oncology Patient Support (GU OPS).

How did you become interested in the GU OPS? 

I joined GU OPS because I was passionate about the intersection between art and medicine. I have been doing ballet since I was little, and my time as a dancer has shown me the power of creative outlets for expression, connection, and promoting well-being. As I searched for clinical opportunities during my first year at Georgetown, I was specifically drawn to GU OPS because I was inspired by its unique mission of using art to promote healing. 

Tell me about the GU OPS. How did it originate? What is its mission? 

GU OPS was created before my time here, but it began as a partnership between Georgetown University students and Lombardi’s Arts and Humanities program. Our mission is to create crafts to brighten up the space in the Lombardi waiting room and contribute to a warm, welcoming environment for patients. Our volunteers can be found at a back table in the waiting room creating cards and origami cranes, which patients and loved ones can take with them as they await their appointments. We’ve noticed that these small crafts can have very meaningful impacts on patient experience, as they can add color and cheer to a difficult day.

What project has the GU OPS completed or will complete that you're most excited for? 

Recently, our most exciting update has been our return to in-person volunteering in the Lombardi waiting room. From 2020 through this past fall, we were unable to visit Lombardi due to Covid-19-related restrictions. During this time, we made crafts asynchronously in Georgetown University's classrooms and delivered them to Lombardi on a weekly basis. While this was still a valuable way to bring art into the cancer center, we missed having face-to-face interaction with patients and clinical staff. We are thrilled to return to volunteering in-person in Lombardi this semester. 

What do you envision for GU OPS in the future? 

After three years of volunteering asynchronously, we are very excited to continue crafting in-person in Lombardi. Additionally, we would love to continue to integrate GU OPS into the physical hospital setting through collaborations with Artists-in-Residence. In the past, GU OPS has partnered with Artists-in-Residence to learn how they use different art forms, such as collage, music, and creative writing, to promote healing. Further partnerships with these artists would help GU OPS volunteers learn more about the value of creativity in a medical setting. 

Finally, I am so grateful for my time with GU OPS; as I prepare for my graduation in May, it is one of the elements of my Georgetown University experience that I will miss the most. 

Request Your Publication of "Lombardi Voices"

The newest edition of Lombardi Voices is now available for pick up in person at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and for direct mailing!

If you would like a book mailed to you, please send your full name and mailing address to Arts and Humanities Program Manager Noni Ford at nf332@georgetown.edu.

The online version Spring 2024 edition of Lombardi Voices is also available for download.

Lombardi Voices is provided free of charge with support from the Kathleen A. Beard Fund for the Arts and Humanities.

For more information and to submit poetry for future editions, please email AHP Program Manager Noni at nf332@georgetown.edu.

The Georgetown Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program (AHP) promotes a holistic approach to healthcare for patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses, staff members, and students through the use of music, dance, expressive writing, and visual arts. These therapeutic modalities are normally provided throughout the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and online through Eventbrite courses. The AHP is a program of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Please consider making a gift of any size to support the AHP so we may continue to grow and provide arts and humanities programming for our wonderful communities.