Art Description
"Gratitude
Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon, Page, AZ
Expressing gratitude can improve psychological health. I learned this during my first year at ATSU-SOMA as our faculty provided us with various techniques to support our mental health and reduce burnout. Landscape photography allows me to express gratitude actively and creatively. Regardless of the outcome of the photo, it allows me to get out into nature and enjoy the moment. In this instance, it was a very much needed getaway during Thanksgiving Break. When you travel far to a destination such as Horseshoe Bend from Mesa, AZ, you don’t know if the weather will work in your favor. You can imagine how grateful I felt when I was able to capture the sun just as it set over the Grand Canyon on this beautiful evening next to my husband, Donnie, and our dog, Koji. I plan to continue my gratitude practice and look forward to sharing it with my future patients."
Artist: Kathleen Douangchak, SOMA
A second year osteopathic medical student at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, Kathleen E.H. Douangchak has a commitment for leadership, advocacy, and teamwork. Kathleen pursued a career in medicine after serving in Burkina Faso in the Peace Corps in 2014 and witnessing global health disparities. She is training in the binational community of San Ysidro, CA where she hopes to continue to serve throughout her career. As the current SGA Vice President, Kathleen represents ATSU-SOMA nationally in the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, where she led a national global health initiative on Access to Healthcare. During her time as Class President, she created an inclusive environment and advocated for the class throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She developed an interest for landscape photography with her husband, Donnie, in 2016 and has since founded the ATSU Photography Club, where she has served as a leader since 2019.