Courtney Burns, a medical student working in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan Medical School, has long been fascinated by the intersection of art and medicine. Through her experience in the RISE Innovator Development Program (IDP), she has pursued a groundbreaking project aimed at addressing emotional distress among healthcare professionals, specifically anesthesiology trainees and faculty. In high-stakes environments like those found in anesthesiology, emotional challenges often go unnoticed—especially secondary traumatic stress, which can leave a lasting impact on caregivers.

Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress Through Art

Burns’ innovative project focuses on alleviating the emotional toll of practicing medicine, particularly the unseen effects of secondary traumatic stress. For anesthesiology clinicians, frequent exposure to critical incidents, such as patient deaths and cardiac arrests, can lead to psychological challenges and emotional exhaustion. Burns has been pioneering the use of community-engaged art as a powerful tool to help healthcare professionals process these emotionally taxing experiences and build social support from their peers. By introducing art into medical education and professional practice, her work is redefining the approach to mental health in high-pressure medical fields.

“This project is about healing, both for the individual and the community,” Burns explains. “The neuroscience literature actually shows that art allows us to process emotions in a way that standard medical training doesn’t often provide.”

Exploring Emotional Distress Through a Qualitative Study

As part of her research, Burns conducted a rigorous qualitative study examining the emotional impact of challenging clinical events on anesthesiologists. This study, the first of its kind, involved interviewing 20 anesthesiologists to understand contextual factors in their practice environment that caused certain events to lead to emotional distress, how they coped with distressing experiences, and the types of support they found most valuable. The findings revealed that while many physicians struggled in isolation, they deeply valued peer support and words of affirmation from colleagues.

One particularly compelling aspect of the study was its final question: "If you had a colleague come to you and share that they were struggling emotionally after a clinical event, what words of support would you tell them?" The responses to this question became the foundation for the artistic component of Burns' project, highlighting themes of empathy, reassurance, and shared experience. Many participants expressed the importance of hearing simple but powerful affirmations such as, "You are not alone," and "It’s okay to feel this way."

Burns drew inspiration from her early experiences working on Dr. Laura Sinko's dissertation, which used visual storytelling to give voice to campus sexual assault survivors. This exposure to art’s capacity for communication and healing sparked her desire to bring artistic methods into medical settings. Seeing the potential for art to amplify the voices of anesthesiologists, she decided to transform study participants' responses into a visual representation of shared resilience and support.

The Power of Art to Heal and Reflect

A key aspect of Burns’ project is collaboration with Morgan Granzow, a talented medical and scientific artist from the Stamps School of Art & Design. This partnership has brought Burns’ vision to life in the form of a deeply meaningful art piece designed to engage healthcare workers on an emotional level.

The standout piece is a painting created by Granzow—a first aid kit symbolizing the need for mental health support in healthcare settings. Drawing from Burns’ qualitative study interviews, the artwork incorporates messages of empathy and solidarity, such as “I’ve been there too,” “You are a good doctor,” and “Your feelings are valid.” Burns hopes that the painting will provide a source of encouragement and affirmation for healthcare professionals, counteracting the stigma often surrounding the discussion of mental health.

“This piece is more than just art—it’s a reminder that mental health struggles deserve attention and care just like physical health concerns,” Burns says.

The emotional power of the artwork is complemented by the overarching goals of the project, which aim to foster dialogue and shared understanding within the anesthesiology community.

“It’s not just about making art—it’s about creating space for reflection, conversation, and connection,” she adds.

The RISE Program: Fostering Confidence and Innovation

Burns attributes much of her success to the mentorship, guidance, and resources provided by the RISE program. As a participant in the Innovator Development Program, Burns received critical support to navigate the complexities of leading a research project while also gaining confidence as a new principal investigator. RISE also introduced her to a network of like-minded innovators, further enriching her work.

“The RISE program didn’t just help me with my project—it empowered me to step into a leadership role. I learned the value of mentorship and collaboration in ways I never imagined,” Burns shares.

Looking back, she reflects, “When I first started, I didn’t know how to structure a project like this. RISE gave me the confidence to take those first steps and the support to keep going.”

Future Aspirations: Expanding the Impact

Burns’ experience with RISE has also shaped her long-term career goals. Initially uncertain about her research trajectory, she now envisions a future where she can combine her passion for medicine and healthcare worker well-being in a tenure-track faculty role. She sees potential for her work to extend beyond anesthesiology, addressing the emotional well-being of healthcare workers across multiple medical disciplines. The emotional toll of practicing medicine is not unique to one specialty, and Burns believes that the integration of community-engaged art could serve as an impactful tool in promoting mental health across the healthcare system.

“I see this work expanding far beyond anesthesiology. Every specialty has its own unique emotional toll, and I believe art can play a critical role in addressing it,” Burns says.

A Lasting Legacy in Medical Education

As Burns continues her work, she is at the forefront of reshaping how the medical community approaches emotional well-being and resilience. By bridging the gap between art and medicine, her research is not only advancing medical education but also creating lasting change for the professionals who dedicate their lives to patient care.

Through her work, Burns is demonstrating the evolving nature of medical education—one that embraces human-centered, creative approaches to addressing some of the field's most pressing challenges. As the conversation around clinician well-being continues to gain momentum, her work exemplifies the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the humanities in healthcare.

If you are interested in the RISE Innovator Development Program (IDP), you can learn more at https://michmed.org/zg8yM