Beta Fish
About the Author
Kristina Sevcik MD is a former medical student at the Carver College of Medicine. She is currently a first-year pathology residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Visual Art
The Departure of Boromir
This is a mixed media painting of Boromir from the Lord of the Rings series dying at the end of the first film/beginning of the second book. I assembled book pages from the relevant chapters of Tolkien’s series and glued them to stretched canvas. There are 9 pages outlined around the figure in this painting to symbolize the 9 members of the fellowship of the ring, with the chapter title “The departure of Boromir” arranged at the top. Above that, the title page “the breaking of the fellowship” is centered, with a rings of pages circling around the hero at the focal point. Trees that resemble the two towers encircle the painting, and also symbolize the ring and eye of Sauron from a distant view. There’s more to it but any way… 😂 this is my favorite painting I’ve ever made in homage to the GOAT film series and I hope you enjoy. Feedback welcome!”
About the Creator
Kael Hoflen is a dental student at the University of Iowa.
Basking in the Sun
We all know someone who has struggled through cancer. Unfortunately, some people face it early in their lives. Tess Halbert just graduated from high school this spring but was diagnosed with lymphoma a few months later. She has been sharing her story on social media, and I found her positivity inspiring. But I found her candor about her struggles truly moving. So I decided to do a drawing of her on my iPad. I definitely spent more time than I should have since I started my first semester of med school, but it was worth it to me after seeing her appreciation. I wanted to share my drawing on Instagram as a reminder to myself of why I want to be a physician. I have spent 5 years so far studying cancer and trying to find novel treatments for glioblastoma multiforme (a type of brain cancer). My experience with that research showed me how debilitating cancer can be and why we need continual research to save millions of lives. I hope to continue doing research as a physician and help people get through this incredibly difficult disease. And to those currently facing this disease, be strong and as Tess says, “Make sure you take every opportunity to bask in the sun, feel the grass between your toes, and pet every dog you see because you never realize how much you take for granted until you can no longer do it.” – Zain Mehdi
About the Creator
Zain Mehdi is a second year medical student at the Carver College of Medicine.
Heart and Soul
Oil on Canvas.
With the eye being the window to the soul, I hope to connect the realistic with the imaginative in this piece.” Shappi
About the Creator
Shappi is a D.O. Student at Des Moines University.
Sun Dog
A Painting as an intuitive grounding exercise” – Lauren Manninen
About the Creator
Lauren Manninen is an artist and psychology student pursuing a master’s in art therapy. She believes that art has the ability to heal and ground people, contributing to their overall health.
PES Skills
This comic is a journal entry by a current first year medical student showing what it’s like to learn physical exam skills during the current Sars-Cov2 pandemic.
Anonymous Creator
Godspeed
This is an illustration of the artist’s sister. Her mother used to sing her the song ‘Godspeed’ before bed. She would always fall asleep on the line, “goodnight moon will find the mouse, and I love you,” which is part of the tattoo seen in the image.” – Hailee Talbot
About the Creator
Hailee Talbot graduated with a BS in Human Physiology from the University of Iowa this past May. She currently works for UI Health Care as the STEM Education Coordinator. Although Hailee focused on science during her education, art has always been a part of her life: from drawing stick figures at a young age to creating enchanting digital imagery now. The illustrations began as an experiment on her iPad to raise money for UI Dance Marathon. As she developed her skills and began adding her creative touch, this hobby grew into her small business–HiNT Creations.
First hospital ambulance
This year, the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine celebrated 150 years of excellence in medical education, research and patient care. In celebration, this week The Appendix will be highlighting stories and photographs from Carver history.
“The ambulance was an electric bus built by Mr. Fisk about 1920. It was used for transportation of patients and nurses between University Hospital (now Seashore Hall) and Children’s Hospital. Most of the time it cound not get up the hills when loaded.”
Run Wild and Free
Silhouette of three horses running across a sunset” – Holly Miller
About the Creator
Holly Miller is a 2021 PharmD Candidate at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.
Who is Free?
“This piece depicts the truth, both literally and metaphorically, behind many large companies that extort labor from disadvantaged and underprivileged people and children to create billion dollar corporations.”
-Zain Mehdi, M1
About the Creator:
Zain Mehdi is an M1 at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He previously studied molecular and cell biology and English at Cornell University. Originally from Pittsburgh, Zain has had a passion for drawing, painting, and writing since kindergarten.