About

The Arts-in-Health Innovation Lab at the University of Utah is a catalyst of interdisciplinary research, teaching, clinical care, and community engagement at the intersection of the arts and health [1]. Our members study how the arts support and produce well-being, and put that knowledge to work in hospitals, clinics, community centers, schools, workplaces, and senior care facilities.

[1] We define “health” not just as the absence of disease, but as complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Faculty

  • Jim Agutter

    Jim Agutter is an Associate Professor in the College of Architecture + Planning, the Director of the Spark Design Initiative, and the Director of the Bachelor of University Studies in the Office of ...

  • Roger Altizer, Jr.

    Roger Altizer, Jr. is the co-founder of the Entertainment Arts and Engineering, the top ranked game design program in the nation, the Director of Digital Medicine for the Center for Medical ...

  • Megan Call

    Megan Call is the Associate Director of the University of Utah Health Resiliency Center, Clinical Assistant Professor in Educational Psychology and Adjunct Assistant Professor in Health Promotion and ...

  • Gretchen A. Case

    Gretchen A. Case is an Associate Professor in the Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities at the University of Utah School of Medicine, where she teaches arts and humanities to students, residents, ...

  • Sydney Cheek-O’Donnell

    Sydney Cheek-O’Donnell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Fine Arts. Her long-time interest in political theatre, social ...

  • Jacqueline Eaton

    Jacqueline Eaton is a gerontologist with a research PhD in Nursing, an MS in Gerontology, and a BA in Theatre Studies, who conducts transdisciplinary research using an approach that focuses on ...

  • Eric Handman

    Eric Handman is a choreographer and an Associate Professor at the University of Utah's School of Dance. Prior to receiving his MFA from the University of Utah in 2003, he earned a BA in English from ...

  • Beth Hardy

    Beth Hardy is a nationally board-certified music therapist and Utah state-certified music therapist who has been practicing since 2008. Beth has worked with a wide variety of clientele in long term ...

  • Molly Heller

    Molly Heller is a Salt Lake City dance artist and Assistant Professor in the School of Dance at the University of Utah. Her research investigates performance as a healing practice and the ...

  • Danielle Maude Littman

    Danielle Maude Littman is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work. She uses place-based, arts-based, and participatory methods to explore (and reimagine) supportive ...

  • Amy Locke

    Amy Locke is a family physician with additional training in integrative medicine. She splits her time between Wellness and Integrative Health and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.  ...

  • Iris Moulton

    Iris Moulton is the Coordinator of Campus Engagement at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. She oversees the Museum’s Art + Wellness program, which involves collaborations such as with the University of ...

  • Marnie Powers-Torrey

    Marnie Powers-Torrey holds an MFA in Photography from the University of Utah and a BA in English and Philosophy from Boston College’s Honors Program. She is the Managing Director of the Book Arts ...

  • Susan Sample

    Susan Sample, PhD, MFA, teaches and researches the uses of narrative and writing in medicine.  She holds a unique position that bridges the university.  As assistant professor in the medical school’s ...

  • Lien Fan Shen

    Lien Fan Shen is a Professor in the Department of Film and Media Arts at the University of Utah. Shen earned her Ph. D. in Art Education at The Ohio State University and an MFA in Computer Art from ...

  • Karen Tao

    Karen Tao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah. Karen’s research interests are guided by an overarching goal to reduce disparities in the ...

  • Shelley White

    Shelley White manages The Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness and Integrative Health Center at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.  The center offers more than three dozen choices to people affected ...

  • Kathryn Wingard

    Kathryn Wingard is a registered art therapist and clinical mental health counselor who facilitates art therapy sessions at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute and 5 West, the acute, ...

  • Jaehee Yi

    With an educational background in social work research and experience with the use of mixed methodologies, Jaehee Yi (Social Work) has built a research career in psychosocial oncology, with a focus ...

  • Rebecca Zarate

    Rebecca Zarate is a music psychotherapist, musician, researcher, and educator of music therapy, arts therapies, and arts and health. Her research focuses on community mental health and ...

Organizations

  • Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness & Integrative Health Center

    The Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness & Integrative Health Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute offers classes and services to foster lifelong well-being for people affected by cancer. Wellness ...

  • The Resiliency Center

    The Resiliency Center is designed to foster wellness and resilience for all employees within University of Utah Health. The Resiliency Center serves as a hub for coordinating and expanding innovative ...

  • UtahPresents

    For the curious who want to experience artistic creativity pushed beyond the stage, UtahPresents ignites dialogue, explores issues and ideas, catalyzes innovation, and connects us.  Creativity ...