Portraits Featured at Einstein Trauma Intervention Program Event
The final stop for the 2022-23 group of Philadelphia portraits is in the main hallway at Einstein Medical Center. Sarah Misuro, Trauma Education, Prevention, and Outreach Coordinator, was passionate about bringing a Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibition back to Einstein. She planned an event, held Thursday, November 3, to which the staffs of the Trauma Intervention Program, ER Department, and Trauma Surgery were all invited. She commented “The Souls Shot Portrait Project is a humbling experience, because you quickly realize that it is so much more than pictures of people. Each piece of art represents a life, one that was cut short way too soon, and family and friends who will hold that loss with them forever. It is an honor to host this exhibition because of the lives and the stories that this exhibition holds within it; these are the stories that need to be told.”
Dr. Alexi Bloom, trauma surgeon, speaking at the event. - DeBalko Photography
Sarah Misuro, Trauma Education, Prevention, and Outreach Coordinator, speaking at the event.- DeBalko Photography
While Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibitions have a powerful effect on all who see them, this program was aimed at addressing the specific experiences of this multidisciplinary group in dealing with the effect of trauma on the community and its impact on public health, as well as the impact on themselves working in the stressful environment. The portraits help to put the humanity of the victims front of mind and lead to a place of empathy.
Many speakers gave their perspectives on the issue including Maxayn Gooden, mother of Jah’sun Ahmad Patton, whose portrait, by Caroline Stoughton, is in the exhibition. “I don’t want to remember what happened to him, I just want to remember him by who he was and the artist captured just that, his light.”
Artist Elisa Abeloff with Maxayn Gooden, mother of portrait subject Jah'sun Ahmad Patton at the Einstein event. - DeBalko Photography
Mayayn Gooden with the portrait of her son Jah'sun Ahmad Patton, by Caroline Stoughton, at the Einstein exhibition. - DeBalko Photography
Speaking about her experience with the Project, artist Elisa Abeloff: “This gun violence epidemic affects all of us because we’re losing a generation of creativity and talent. While it can be overwhelming to think about, we can all find ways to chip away at this problem. I’m grateful to the Souls Shot Portrait Project for giving artists a way to use our skills to support co-victims and raise awareness about gun violence.”
Thomas Hunter, Trauma Intervention Program, with Dr. Erica Harris, director of the Program at Einstein event. - DeBalko Photography
Attendees also heard from Thomas Hunter, Trauma Intervention Program, Dr. Erica Harris, head of the program, Dr. Alexi Bloom, Trauma Surgeon, Einstein Chaplain Gregory Johnson, artists Mary Brady Begnardi, Elisa Abeloff, and Keisha Whatley as well as JoAnn Miles Miller, director, Souls Shot Portrait Project.
Left to right, artist Mary Brady Begnardi, Maxayn Gooden, mother of Jah'sun Ahmad Patton, and artists Elisa Abeloff and Keisha Whatley at the Einstein event. - DeBalko Photography
We are so grateful to have been a part of this program and for the opportunity to have our portraits on view in the busy hospital. While installing the exhibition we were stopped many, many times by visitors, patients, and staff. There were many who recognized some of the souls in the portraits. Bringing attention to the beautiful lives cut short for no reason other than a gun was present, especially in this hospital setting, will hopefully galvanize the community to continue the hard work of seeking peace.