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THE SIRRIDGE OFFICE OF MEDICAL HUMANITIES AND BIOETHICS • UMKC SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 2026

Quilt artwork, showcasing three circles in the center inside of diamond shapes, also surrounded by colorful diamond shapes

On the Cover


Seeing Spots

ANDREA O'BRIEN, M.S. PROGRAM COORDINATOR FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY

Medium: Wall quilt (paper pieced, traditional piecing, free motion custom longarm quilting) Artist’s statement: Sometimes we are so entrenched in our immediate lives and work that we only see the spots in front of us and forget the world around us. Arrows around the spots in this wall quilt represent how we continually churn through ideas and projects and serve as a reminder we need to think outside the spots to see how our choices likely impact other people/things. The ends of the arrows lead into the color of the next spot, representing our mind’s state of balance — sometimes we are anxious, and other times at peace as we move into new changes in our lives.


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THE SIRRIDGE OFFICE OF MEDICAL HUMANITIES AND BIOETHICS

To receive the form to submit your essays, poetry or other artwork for future issues of Human Factor, please contact Sarah McKee, senior office support assistant, Sirridge Office of Medical Humanities and Bioethics, at hallse@umkc.edu or 816-235-5882 or Relay Missouri: 800-735-2966 (TTY).

Through this magazine, the University of Missouri-Kansas City provides a forum for many creative voices of the School of Medicine’s faculty, staff, residents, students and alumni. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of UMKC. All content posted by UMKC is the property of UMKC and is subject to copyright laws.

Brian S. Carter, M.D. William and Marjorie Sirridge Chairman and Professor, Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics Sarah McKee Senior Office Support Assistant

Kady McMaster Managing Editor Rachel DeYoung Editor Jason Yates Graphic Designer

Derrick Benitz Patrick Oliverio Brandon Parigo Photographers

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