The Pennsylvania AHEC Scholars Program strives to expand current knowledge and perspective of Health Profession students in Pennsylvania. One important step in this growth is personal self-reflection as a future health professional. Using a workshop designed by Dr. Mark Stephens at the Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Department of Family & Community Medicine, scholars were asked to reflect on their qualities, beliefs, values and characteristics that distinguish them or their identity as an individual as it relates to their career in healthcare. With these reflections, they created masks that represented a reflective expression of their personal identify in the moment.
Students noted that their created mask:
"Shows people that I truly care and what to help people in the world, but I also want it to show people to never give up no matter what your dreams are you will be able to accomplish them if you put your mind to it."
"I utilized a lot of blue which is associated with honesty, calmness, and peace. I colored my eyes green due to its ties to balance and acceptance. I utilized orange to promote an enthusiastic and creative environment. Lastly, I used red to convey a passion for advocating for my future patients."
"I hope that it would convey a sense of hope. Hope that there are people out there that want to help and aren't giving up the good fight until they physically can't do it anymore."
"My mask had cooler colors like blue, purple, and green to represent my calm and soft spoken personality. My mask also had capsules drawn over my forehead to represent pharmacy and how I always have drugs and medications on the brain."
For more information about this activity, please contact us at PAAHEC@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.