From the Editor

Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli, MD, MPH, FACEP

As we approach the end of another year, I extend warm greetings to each of you. It remains a privilege to continue on this path of exploration, at the crossroads of medicine and the humanities, with such a distinguished group of individuals.

Reflecting on our collective journey, I am reminded of the words of Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: "The task of the writer, the artist, the teacher, is to challenge the mind to ask questions, to challenge the mind to see the world in new ways." In our pursuit of understanding and healing, we strive to transcend the boundaries of conventional reality, embracing the myriad perspectives and lived experiences that constitute our humanity.

This newsletter highlights this very pursuit. It features our award-winning works in both prose and poetry, as well as highlights from the Visual Arts category.  From the poignancy of Salve and My Suicide Blanket to the vitality captured in Serene, these works not only showcase the power of expression in the medical humanities but also serve as important reminders of the complexity and resilience of the human spirit.

Beyond these artistic showcases, this edition also provides updates from ACEP24, including key takeaways from our annual section meeting and exciting initiatives on the horizon. From the ongoing work of the white paper think tank to the development of our online repository for member resources, these initiatives are fostering growth in the medical humanities and strengthening the connections within our community.

As always, I am deeply grateful for your engagement. I encourage you to continue contributing your voices, through art, writing, or ideas, as we move forward in this important dialogue. I look forward to what we will create and share together in the coming year.