Welcome to the Georgetown Lombardi Arts & Humanities Program (AHP) newsletter. In this week's issue: a grant from the Wolpoff Family Foundation, a StoryCorps video featuring artist-in-residence, Deborah Riley, and an interview with former artist-in-residence Alison Waldman about her journey as a movement artist.

AHP Artist-in-Residence, Deborah Riley Featured in StoryCorps Collaboration

Recently, the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services collaborated with StoryCorp to highlight stories of equity and inclusion in health by releasing a series of short videos. One of the videos features AHP artist-in-residence, Deborah Riley and her work with Arts for the Aging. Below, Deborah introduces the video and shares how creative movement can empower.

I'm fundamentally interested in the power of dance and creative movement to help people of all ages discover their own creativity and inner voice. Humans express themselves through movement, gesture, and body posture everyday throughout their lives, so it's a natural step to explore ideas and feelings artistically through movement. Working with specific populations and their needs is gratifying as I get to witness individual joy, transformation, and discovery. For me, joining a person in their journey of expression is rewarding beyond words. As the lead teacher and creative force for MGUH's Movement for Multiple Sclerosis program, I love the ways our class has grown to be a community full of supportive, rambunctious dancers. Each person is courageously exploring, while having great fun dancing to music inspired by themes of everyday life.

I also work with Arts for the Aging, at the intersection of arts and healthcare, reaching older adults and caregivers who are impacted by a range of age-related physical and cognitive health conditions. StoryCorps was interested in lifting up stories of people in healthcare who are addressing needs of diversity and inclusion. I joined my colleagues Judith Bauer and Wall Matthews to talk about how Arts for the Aging is empowering for older adults and allows them to participate to their own abilities. Our discussion explores the marginalization of the senior community and the power that dance, and the arts can have on an individual.

Alison Waldman Reflects on Her Artistic Path

Alison Waldman offering stretchbreaks for MGUH staff

Alison Waldman joined AHP in 2016. As an artist-in-residence, she led creative activities at MGUH and online. Primarily a movement artist, Alison offered stretch breaks to hospital staff, taught yoga on Zoom, and directed the AHP's annual Day of Dance. She is also an Arts and Health entrepreneur and a TEDx speaker. Recently, Alison accepted a position as Program Manager and Event Coordinator with the University of Maryland’s new hub for technological innovation, xFoundry@UMD. We wish her all best in this new chapter and look forward to staying connected. In this interview, Alison shares her most memorable experiences with AHP and offers insights on how Arts and Health impacts her life and the lives of others. 

How did you first become involved with AHP and the Arts and Health field?

I found the AHP after my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. Following this I had to visit the Breast Cancer Center at Medstar Georgetown regularly to get my preventative mammogram. One day, in the lobby, I saw Keira Hart Mendoza, who was a Movement Artist with the program, give a group of nurses a stretch break. She is a choreographer and dancer in the area. We knew each other from dance classes and events. She told me about the AHP and it just clicked for me. I thought, this is where I need to be. Working for the program has helped me process and manage my grief and fear about my sister’s health and my own due to genetics. Since my sister lives far away, it’s been healing for me to help support her and her community this way.

As you reflect on your experiences with the AHP, what guided you?

I approach my work through a few core values. Curiosity is a big one. When teaching, I encourage students to view it as a laboratory space. We're not here to finalize anything but to try things out. This is also true when working with patients and staff. I’m giving them an opportunity to check in with themselves, and this is where I activate my value of generosity. I tell them that there are times for pushing and challenging ourselves, and there is also space for ease and showing ourselves kindness. Whether I was working with nurses, facilities staff or security guards, I would often say during our stretch breaks, “For the next 5 minutes, this is your job.” Hospital units can be chaotic with phones ringing, machines beeping, and stuff happening. You could see the tension in their bodies at first. But after a few seconds of breathing and focus, they would start to calm – together. The stretch breaks are great for relaxation. They also build community and camaraderie on the units because it’s something they do as a team.

Can you say more about how you’ve experienced the community building power of the arts?

Loneliness is an epidemic today. We all need ways to connect, and the arts can help. I’ve seen it in hospitals and online classes, which were particularly incredible to witness. In my virtual classes, students from around the world built relationships by simply showing up and moving together week after week. Many of them never met in person but saw each other on Zoom regularly for 3 years, and shared that they felt like they knew each other well. The Movement for MS and Thursday night yoga classes were manifestations of gatherings I have always dreamed about teaching. Participants included people in wheelchairs, those who are fully able-bodied, and people in their 20s to 80s. Everyone came together to honor their bodies and who they are today. They could fully practice as a community, celebrating their differences instead of feeling limited by them. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world to me. They had built a strong community together just by showing up.

How will Arts and Health and your experiences as an artist-in-residence continue to inform your life and career?

Maintaining my artistic practice is key to staying involved, which includes performing, taking class, and being an audience member. In my new role at the University of Maryland, I work on multidisciplinary collaboration, and helping the next generation think about creative ways to solve problems. I hope to mentor young artists and students in the humanities who are curious, compassionate, and skilled. I’m excited to show them the value of their knowledge and connect them to resources, experiences, opportunities, and people that inspire them.

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.