The Creative Heart: Answering the Challenge of Cancer through Imagination, Spirituality and the Arts

The Creative Heart Series explores how imagination, spirituality, and artistic expression can serve as meaningful resources in cancer care. Expanding traditional concepts of spirituality beyond religious frameworks, this innovative program introduces artistic engagement as an accessible pathway for meaning-making, connection, and personal and professional well-being. Through interactive experiences and thoughtful dialogue, participants will explore practical approaches for incorporating creative practices into patient care and professional self-care.

Featured artists for our October 2026 session include multidisciplinary artist Anne Patterson and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Michael Mustafa Ulmer, who will share how creative practices can support the holistic needs of patients while fostering connection, reflection, and well-being among healthcare professionals.

The event will include:

• Community Connection Breakfast: Begin the day with a complimentary breakfast and an opportunity to connect with patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and colleagues from across the MSK community.

• Interactive Creative Workshop: Participate in an experiential workshop led by the featured artists and explore creative expression as a tool for reflection, connection, and well-being.

• Moderated Conversation and Reflection: Engage in a thoughtful discussion with the featured artists exploring the role of creativity and artistic practice in supporting healing, spiritual well-being, and resilience. Participants will gain practical insights for incorporating creative approaches into patient care and professional self-care.

This series is complimentary for all participants and is intended for patients with cancer, their family caregivers, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals practicing in oncology settings, including but not limited to: medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; palliative care specialists; advanced practice providers (NPs, PAs); registered nurses and nursing assistants; oncology social workers; chaplains; rehabilitation specialists; psychooncology practitioners; and allied healthcare personnel involved in both curative and supportive/palliative cancer care delivery. 

The Creative Heart series is dedicated to the memory of former MSK Chaplain, Carlos D. Cuartas (1957-2020), whose life and work demonstrated the profound healing power that emerges when creativity and spirituality meet in the face of cancer. The cover artwork for this series was created by Atsede Elegba, MDiv, and reflects the interconnected themes of art, spirituality, suffering, and healing at the heart of this series.

1. Explore the relationships between creative processes and spiritual well being for patients, families and healthcare professionals coping with cancer.
2. Identify at least two ways to incorporate creative practices into daily professional or personal life.
3. Describe spirituality beyond religiosity incorporating concepts such as meaning, connection, existential, creativity and imagination.
4. Articulate how creative approaches to spirituality can enhance both patient care and provider wellbeing in oncology settings.

This series is complimentary and open to all participants. Registration is required to attend. Please select the Register tab above to complete your registration. If you need assistance registering, please email [email protected].

This program will be held in person only; a virtual participation option will not be available. For information about accommodations, parking, directions, and planning your visit, please refer to our Visiting Us page.

Industry professionals are welcome to attend Continuing Medical Education events at MSK for their own educational purposes. View our Registration Policy for Industry Professionals for more information.

For details on our cancellation terms, please review our Cancellation Policy.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity has been approved to offer the following credit types.

• AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

• NYS Psychology Contact Hours

The following credits are pending approval:

• NYS Social Work Continuing Education Credit

• Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) Credit

Series Director
Natasha Dachos, LMSW, MAPCC, BCC

Series Co-Director 
Molly O'Neil Frank, MDiv, MA, BCC

Series Planning Committee
Sanjay Chawla, MD, FCCP, FACP, FCCM
Atsede Elegba, MDiv
Gary Finellie, MA
Ruth Fayette
Minjeong Kim, RN
Erika Mallin, MA
James O'Connor, BS
Kelley Qualters, MSN
Carolynn Azaria Ulmer, BS
Christine Wilkins, PhD

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. 
In accordance with the ACCME's Standards, identification, mitigation and/or disclosure of financial relationships is not needed for non-clinical accredited education. 

The content of this activity is non-clinical.