Larissa Dougherty, Brendon McCargar, Jessica Grafton, Dr. Susan Hall, Amy Mansue, Dr. James George, Cody D. Miller, Dr. Tony Lowman, Ph.D. and Dr. Frederick Keating.​

Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) and the Rowan College Foundation recently celebrated 128 unique art pieces created and donated by Dr. James E. George, to the Gloucester campus, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 31 as part of the Art Heals the Mind, Body, and Spirit art gallery.

This gallery will offer students in our Nursing and Health Professions building a space to unwind and experience the healing power of art.

George, a dedicated emergency physician for nearly five decades, began his career at Inspira Health (formerly Underwood Memorial Hospital). While simultaneously earning medical and law degrees at the University of Louisville, he also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves Medical Corps. After a life-changing injury in 2016, he discovered the therapeutic power of art.

“About six weeks into my rehabilitation, I was introduced to the art therapist and at the time she was pushing a Sears workman's cart around with her paint supplies and asked, “Would you like to paint?" said George. “I didn't have to paint within the lines; I could just make marks."

Students, staff, and faculty expressed feelings of relaxation and tranquility while visiting the gallery.

“Every time I walk past one of his pieces, the light reveals something new," shared Susan Hall, Dean of Nursing & Health Professions at RCSJ. “It's breathtaking."

RCSJ is committed to its students, staff, and faculty's well-being by providing holistic support for their mental health. This partnership demonstrates RCSJ's continuing commitment to the community with sustainable initiatives to enrich the educational experiences of our students.

“I heard of your work, of your medical career, and the gift that you were giving now – art. Your art is healing – your art enhances the human spirit," expressed Fred Keating, president, RCSJ. “Thank you for sharing it with our RCSJ community."

“His [George's] humility and love of people continue to remind each of us that we have more to do," said Amy B. Mansue, president and chief executive officer of Inspira Health. “This gallery, and their experience at RCSJ, will help students develop the skills they will need to manage the stress and emotions that come with a career in health care. This way, they will be prepared to provide the best care possible for us, our loved ones, our neighbors and our friends." said Amy B. Mansue, president and chief executive officer of Inspira Health.

“Thank you, Dr. George, for your generous gift and your contributions to the arts and their power to heal in South Jersey. We're proud of the incredible partnership between Rowan University and Inspira Health, where the healing arts take center stage in our new 200-acre Wellness Village on the West Campus. At the heart of these initiatives is a central theme: the Healing Arts." said Tony Lowman, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Rowan University.

George's unique art pieces are now on display at RCSJ's Gloucester Campus in the Nursing & Health Professions building, spanning two floors.

For more information about the Art Heals the Mind, Body, and Spirit Art Gallery, contact:
Dr. Susan Hall, dean, Nursing & Health Professions, at 856-415-2185 or [email protected].​