The Art of Family and Community Medicine Unveiled

‌An overflow crowd of physicians, students, staff, patients, and well-wishers were on hand Wednesday, February 20 to witness the unveiling of a new wall mural in the waiting room of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Department of Family and Community Medicine practice on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. The mural was a gift of philanthropist Carolyn Frenkil, President of Center City, Inc. and a board member of the UMSOM Board of Visitors and the University of Maryland, Baltimore Foundation, Inc. The mural was created by Candice Brush, a graduate from University of Maryland, College Park, who is a fine artist and printmaker on the state’s Eastern Shore.

‌In her remarks, Ms. Frenkil noted that the idea of a mural in the waiting room came to her following a visit to the practice. “As I drove home, I had an epiphany - why not a mural on the wall portraying the medical staff and patients doing what they do here every day,” she recalled. “They say, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ This mural has captured the words which describe what happens here every day.”

David L. Stewart, MD, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department Of Family & Community Medicine, observed that the development of the mural was in itself a community effort. “Working with Carolyn, we went through an engagement process with our patients about this mural, in asking them what they wanted it to portray,” he said. “They responded by telling us that they wanted to show the history of family medicine, along with what presently takes place here at our practice. Overall, they wanted a piece of art that would make them feel positive about being a patient here. “

In addressing attendees, E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, University Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine, noted, “This is a special moment for our faculty, our staff, and especially for the community we serve that we can come together to recognize the good work that the Department of Family and Community Medicine does. This team works hard not only to provide exceptional medical care, but also to develop a long-term relationship with patients and families.

“This approach is why they are so successful with their mission and are recognized leaders in their field,” said Dean Reece. “This work of art beautifully depicts the spirit of the department and its long history of dedication to the community.”

The mural is now on public view in the patient waiting room of the Family and Community Medicine practice at 29 S. Paca Street in Baltimore.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Commemorating its 210^th Anniversary, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, upper-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 43 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs; and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine, and distinguished recipient of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research.  With an operating budget of more than $1 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically-based care for more than 1.2 million patients each year. The School has 1,307 students, 685 residents, 562 fellows, and nearly $450 million in extramural funding, with more than half of its academic departments ranked in the top 20 among all public medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has nearly 7,000 total employees. The combined School and Medical System (“University of Maryland Medicine”) has a total budget of $5 billion and an economic impact of nearly $15 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine faculty, which ranks as the 8^th-highest public medical school in research productivity, has been an innovator in translational medicine with 600 active patents and 24 start-up companies. The School works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world.  Visit medschool.umaryland.edu/