ABSTRACT
Being a humanist at a health sciences institution is a tricky proposition. In an environment where liberal arts courses are viewed with general suspicion, it is an uphill battle to show that not only are the liberal arts a vital component of a STEM education, but they are also needed now more than ever. However, as medical error research (Hayward) makes clear, strong writing, critical thinking, and communication skills are essential to combating the kinds of mistakes that cost upward of 250,000 lives per year. The stakes could not be higher, though strengthening the role of the arts at a health sciences institution requires a major cultural shift that encompasses not only writing instruction and program administration but also course development, program development, and community integration. This chapter examines measures taken at a small, private, health sciences institution in an effort to emphasize and strengthen writing and communication at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the data and feedback received from these efforts, and future plans for further integration with the creation of a fully-fledged health humanities minor and major. Topics will include changes to the freshmen experience, core writing instruction, course and program development, writing center support, community involvement, and college-wide reading programs.
