Welcome to the Georgetown Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program (AHP) newsletter. In this week's issue, we spotlight visitors from The King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), painter, Sharon Wolpoff and performances by Georgetown student members of LEAP. Also, we are pleased to announce that Friday yoga has returned to MGUH!

Delegation from The King Hussein Cancer Center Visits Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

L-R: Mary Chris Ponder, Dr. Hikmat Abdel Razeq, Julia Langley, Mrs. Dina Al Saleh, Deborah Riley

On September, 25th, AHP welcomed visitors from The King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC). Dr. Hikmat Abdel Razeq and Mrs. Dina Al Saleh met with Physician Executive Director of Medstar Washington DC Integrated Hematology Oncology Division, John Marshall, Assistant Vice President of Oncology Services, Mary Chris Ponder, and AHP Faculty Director, Julia Langley, among others.

The KHCC is the first choice for thousands of patients seeking premium holistic cancer treatment from across the Arab world. The Center provides world-class treatment and achieves survival rates comparable to those of leading cancer treatment facilities across the globe. KHCC is renowned for incorporating emotional and social support into the overall treatment plan of every patient.

Dr. Abdel Razeq serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director General of the KHCC, where he also serves as Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine. He was joined by Mrs. Dina Al Saleh, who has been the Head of Marketing & Communications at the KHCC since December 2010.  

“It was a pleasure to meet with Dr. Abdel Razeq and Mrs. Al Saleh,” Langley said. “They understand the healing power of the arts and were able to view examples of how we integrate the arts and humanities into cancer care." 

Deborah Riley, a movement artist, worked at the clinic that day. She showed how well patients respond to a few minutes of guided movement and relaxation while waiting to see their oncologists.

Two Paintings by Renowned Painter Sharon Wolpoff Now on View

Sharon Wolpoff, Poolside, Sonoma, Oil on Canvas, 2013

People stopped to watch as artist Sharon Wolpoff installed two of her paintings in the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Many said, "love the colors!” Wolpoff, who held a solo exhibition at Lombardi in 2017 is known for her bright, luminous canvases that appear lit from within. 

Dom's Barber Shop (Telford PA), oil on canvas, 2018

For the next 6 months, two of her pieces, "Poolside, Sonoma" and "Dom's Barber Shop (Telford PA)," will grace the cancer center’s entrance wall and lobby on loan to the AHP.

“It is my hope that my artwork will bring a touch of warmth and light to the Lombardi Outpatient Clinic, affirming the connection between healing and the arts,” Wolpoff said.

Friday Noon Yoga Returns to MGUH

Half-hour yoga classes for healthcare staff have returned! Join AHP movement artist and yoga teacher Katie Harris Banks each Friday from 12-12:30pm. The classes take place in the 7th floor hallway between the BLES and Main Buildings. Registration is not necessary and there is no cost for the relaxing and rejuvenating sessions. Bring your mat and enjoy some lunchtime self-care!

Lombardi Ensemble Association for Patients Plays in Lombardi

Erica Hahn

Tiffany Zhang and Kristin Yung

Myles Cheng

On Sunday, September 17th, Georgetown student members of the Lombardi Ensemble Association for Patients (LEAP) played beautiful music for cancer patients at MGUH.

LEAP members played on the BLES building floors, guided by Julia Langley. They were greeted by patients, nurses, and visitors who enjoyed hearing the music and thanked the students for volunteering their time and talent.

One student, Myles Cheng explained his desire to volunteer, "As a pre-med student that has similarly performed music for retirement homes and places of healing, I saw this as an opportunity to continue my personal passion of sharing music while furthering my professional passion by interacting with patients."

More LEAP activities at MGUH are being planned for the coming months.

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.