A new exhibit introducing graphic medicine and featuring selections from the Henry and Janet Claman Medical Humanities Collection is now on display in the Strauss Library entryway. This exhibit highlights works that use comics to share powerful stories about health and illness, offering a unique perspective on the human experience in healthcare.

Graphic medicine is an emerging interdisciplinary field that combines comics and healthcare to communicate complex medical concepts in a creative and accessible way. The term was Introduced by Dr. Ian Williams in 2007. Graphic medicine uses graphic novels and comics to share patient and caregiver experiences, improve health literacy, and foster empathy. This approach not only supports patient education but also helps healthcare professionals gain deeper insight into the emotional and psychological aspects of care.

Strauss Library has been collecting graphic medicine books in recent years. Topics covered include behavioral and mental health, chronic diseases, families, patient narratives, provider perspectives and stories, and women’s health. You can browse a list of these titles via a search for graphic medicine in Library Search. While some books are displayed in the exhibit case, most of them are shelved in the Claman Medical Humanities Collection.

Come visit the exhibit and discover the Claman Collection! For more information, please contact Yumin Jiang via email: yumin.jiang@cuanschutz.edu.