August 25, 2021

I am pleased to announce that Bryant Lin, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, has been named Director of Medical Humanities and Arts within the Center for Biomedical Ethics. In this role, he will serve as Director of Medicine and the Muse and Co-Director of the Biomedical Ethics and Medical Humanities (BEMH) Scholarly Concentration. His appointment begins on September 1.

Since coming to Stanford as a research fellow in 2005 and as clinical faculty for the past 15 years, Dr. Lin has displayed an unwavering commitment to addressing unmet human-centered needs. As a physician, educator, and researcher, he has shown the critically important role the arts and humanities have in promoting patient healing, enhancing provider resilience, and inspiring trainees to recognize human experience as the center of health care.

Dr. Lin has actively partnered with Medicine and the Muse leadership on various programs, including the award-winning Stuck@Home concert series, the VOICES project, the Manic Monologues presentation, a Parenting Playbook Anti-Racism Theater event, the Honoring Asian Grandmothers concert and panel, the Stanford SoundWalk, and the Stanford COVID-19 Art Installation Remembrance project. Dr. Lin is also a talented musician and prolific inventor with 10 U.S. patents for medical technologies.

Additionally, Dr. Lin is the founder of the Consultative Medicine Clinic, training director of the Joe and Linda Chlapaty DECIDE Center, and an investigator in several active clinical trials. Three years ago, he co-founded and currently co-directs the Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE), where he re-launched the Journal for Asian Health. CARE strives to improve the health of Asians everywhere.

I want to thank the search committee which, under the direction of Iris Gibbs, MD, conducted an exhaustive search that led to this appointment.

I would also like to extend my deep gratitude to Audrey Shafer, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, who has served as Director of Medical Humanities and Arts since 2003. Dr. Shafer introduced medical humanities to the School of Medicine in 1994 with her course, Literature and Medicine. We are indebted to Dr. Shafer’s dedication and commitment that has built a multifaceted program with international collaborations and impact. She is stepping down as she begins a phased retirement at the School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Shafer for her enormous contributions to our health system and congratulating Dr. Lin on his new role.