Art as Health Advocacy: Regina Holliday
Showing Oct. 17-21
Activist artist Regina Holliday will speak at Virginia Commonwealth University on Thursday at noon. Part of the movement known as participatory medicine, Holliday believes that the patient should be a partner with their provider and both should work together as a team. She also argues for speedy access to digital medical records, has strong opinions about patient care and safety, and works generally for a louder patient voice in policymaking.
Holliday’s presentation, “The Patient Experience: Providing Quality Care and Safety,” will be free and open to the public, and will be held at the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center, Learning Theater, 1201 E. Marshall St.
The event is sponsored by the VCU Community Health Education Center, the MCV Auxiliary and VCU Health. The presentation will be followed by a painting demonstration and reception at 1 p.m. There is also an 11 a.m. luncheon. The Richmond community, particularly those in patient or patient care roles, is invited.
For details and to register, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2016-17/the-patient-experience.html
A mother and widow, Holliday’s art and work were shaped by her personal experiences during her husband’s cancer treatments and hospitalizations. In 2009, she painted a series of murals depicting the need for clarity and transparency in medical records. This advocacy mission was inspired by her late husband Frederick Allen Holliday II and his struggle to receive what she considered appropriate care during 11 weeks of continuous hospitalization at five facilities.
She hopes her paintings are contributing to the national debate on health care reform and helping guide public policy.
One of her advocacy efforts is “The Walking Gallery.” The wearable art gallery consists of medical providers and advocates who wear patient story paintings on the backs of business suits. Some 300 individuals are part of the walking gallery. They attend medical conferences and meetings with the idea of changing minds and adding a patient voice to health care conversations.
An in-depth Q&A with the artist
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