Sarasota
Sarasota
Nicole Bentze, D. O. Dean, Sarasota Regional Campus
VTS experience expanded to include PA students
By Audrey Post FSU College of Medicine
Visual Thinking Strategies, a collaboration among the Sarasota Regional Campus, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’ s Community Specialty Clinic, has been expanded to include PA students as well as M. D. students. Museum staff guide each cohort’ s exploration of art, beginning with how it makes each person feel, discovering nonverbal cues and small, easily overlooked details.
Students share their reactions to a painting with one another.
Campus Dean Nicole Bentze, D. O., said the experience not only improves students’ communication skills, but it also enhances compassion, empathy and“ helps students consider other world views and appreciate how each patient may experience illness differently.”
Students also complete a rotation through the Healthcare System’ s Community Specialty Clinic, a free clinic for adults who are uninsured or underinsured. Thirty volunteer physicians see patients there, and 100 specialists will take their referrals pro bono. Students see patients and volunteer physicians modeling interconnectedness, which teaches them critical thinking, respectful bedside manner and servant leadership.
PA students from the FSU College of Medicine Sarasota Regional Campus pose for a group shot on the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Assistant Professor Megan Verdoni, PA-C, the School of Physician Assistant Practice’ s clinical education director, leads the PA Class of 2025 in a discussion at the Ringling Museum of Art.
54 FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY | COLLEGE OF MEDICINE