Artful Rx: Annemarie Ryan’s ‘Shining Through’ at MedStar GUH
By • December 9, 2024 0 599
Artist Annemarie Ryan has donated 16 paintings of the series entitled “Shining Through” to the Verstandig Pavillon at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. A Dec. 5 reception for the exhibit brought together family, friends and colleagues of the Georgetown abstract expressionist artist.
David H. Song, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, welcomed the crowd to the new Verstandig Pavillon, calling it a “palace of healing” with its 31 operating rooms, and said he delighted at Ryan’s paintings.
Christopher G. Kalhorn, M.D., neurosurgeon at Georgetown, told the art lovers, “I have had the pleasure of knowing the Ryan family for many years now and I would first like to thank them for their years of friendship and true philanthropic spirit. When Annemarie first told me about her collection and she discussed sharing her work with our patients and community, I was immediately impressed by the sense of light and the healing uplifting quality of her work.
“I wanted to spend a moment exploring the healing powers of two different fields — surgery and art — that both share a profound ability to restore, repair and transform lives.
“Let’s start with surgery. … Surgeons don’t just heal the body, they often restore a sense of normalcy, confidence and hope.
“On the other hand, art and specifically Annemarie’s art, heals the mind and spirit. … Art has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and even alleviate physical pain. It gives people a voice and ultimately a path toward healing.
“Please raise your glass with me as I would like to propose a toast to Annemarie and her wonderful gift of art, the Ryan family, the health of our patients and the future success of Medstar Health.”
The artist responded in kind: “Thank you so very much Dr. Song and Dr. Kalhorn for your kind words. … I also want to express my deep and heartfelt gratitude to the all-star team of doctors, nurses, and staff — too numerous to mention individually — who truly embody the spirit of “Cura Personalis” — Care of the Whole Person.
“It is no exaggeration to say that Tom and I have earned frequent flyer miles here at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
“… I also want to thank all of you who have been so supportive of me in my journey as an artist over these past few years. … And, of course, my dear husband Tom has been by my side every step of the way and often reminds me how taxing it is to be my muse!”
Ryan says she “paints primarily with inks and various forms of acrylics and has developed a technique to blend them to create paintings that have the ability to draw the viewer into her own unique interpretations of life experiences and their deeper meanings in true technicolor.”
Frank Marshall, Pat Lonardo, Nancy Taylor Bubes and Florence Auld with Annemarie and Tom Ryan. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Jennifer and David Romm flank Annemarie Ryan. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Dayna Kuhar, Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and artist Annemarie Ryan. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Ben Tener, Mary Ann Kerr, Sophie Ryan Fugent, Annemarie and Tom Ryan. In front, Louisa Fugent. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Annemarie Ryan and Betsy Emes. Photo by Bill Starrels.
