Yale School of Nursing (YSN) joined Yale Planetary Solutions for Yale @ Climate Week NYC on September 25, spotlighting how creative expression can impact healing for people and the planet. The session, Imagining a Healthier Planet: The Power of Creative Expression and Collective Healing, took place at the Yale Club of New York City and invited participants to explore how the arts, science, and mindfulness can shift perspectives and advance climate action.
The program, presented by YSN’s Office of Planetary Health and Global Engagement, was moderated by Dr. Christine Rodriguez, Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of Nursing Impact and featured two thought-provoking presentations:
- “Seeding a New Story: Inspiring Planetary Consciousness for Personal and Collective Transformation” by Susan Prescott, MD, PhD, professor at the University of Western Australia and director of the Nova Network. Dr. Prescott used her artwork to frame planetary health as the interconnected whole of ecological, social, cultural, and spiritual systems, urging a transformation of values and worldviews to realign human flourishing with the flourishing of all life.
- “Decoding and Modulating Collective Action: Music, Mindfulness, and Psychedelics” by AZA Allsop, MD, PhD, assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Allsop described his lab’s work using neuroscience and computational approaches to understand how music, mindfulness, and psychedelics can shift social dynamics, with the potential to reduce polarization and strengthen collective responses to crises such as climate change.
This event was a prelude to YSN’s upcoming program at the West Campus Conference Center, also titled Imagining a Healthier Planet: The Power of Creative Expression and Collective Healing, on Wednesday, October 9.
The event will continue the conversation on the intersection of planetary health, environmental consciousness, and the arts, followed by a reception featuring artwork by Dr. Susan Prescott and live music by Dr. AZA Allsop.
As part of the October 9 program, Associate Professor Deena Costa, will present Holding Space and Giving Grace: Creative Expression as a Way to Support the Nursing Workforce. Dr. Costa will explore the emotional, mental, and professional challenges nurses face, and how creative expression—especially storytelling—can elevate nurses’ voices, build resilience, and strengthen community.
To join the program on October 9 virtually or in person, register here: yaleconnect.yale.edu/ysnglobal