Charity's Resident Artist Invited to Speak at International Medical Conference

Press release

30^th September 2026, Derby, UK

Charity's Resident Artist Invited to Speak at International Medical Conference

A resident artist from Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity has been invited to share her expertise at one of the world's leading healthcare wellbeing conferences.

E J Lance (Emma Bailey), a member of the Charity's Air Arts team, will deliver a practical workshop at the International Conference on Physician Health™ (ICPH) in London, where 'delegates will explore how drawing can be used to enhance observation, communication and professional wellbeing. 

The workshop will demonstrate how creative practice can support clinicians to look more closely, think more critically and develop greater confidence in describing what they see.

Emma's invitation reflects the growing recognition of the role the arts can play in healthcare education and staff wellbeing. She is a co-author of the recently published paper'Visual Literacy: Seeing the Skin' course effect on clinician observational and descriptive skills in skin of colour and white skin, which evaluated the impact of an arts-based visual literacy programme developed in partnership with clinicians at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. The study found that combining observation, discussion and practical drawing activities can improve clinicians' observational and descriptive skills while also supporting wellbeing.

Speaking about the invitation, E J Lance said:

"I am delighted to have been invited to represent Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity and the work we do through the Air Arts team at such a prestigious conference.

"The projects we deliver with clinical teams across Derbyshire and Staffordshire are designed not only to enhance professional practice, but also to support wellbeing. Through this workshop, I hope to demonstrate how creative approaches can improve observation, encourage reflection and ultimately benefit both healthcare professionals and the patients they care for.

"It is particularly exciting to be able to share work that has contributed to published research and to showcase the valuable role artists can play within healthcare settings."

As E J Lance, Emma has built a national reputation for her distinctive drawings, which combine intricate detail, layered narratives and surreal imagery. Inspired by anatomy, natural history and botanical specimens found in museum collections, her work encourages audiences to look more closely and notice details that might otherwise be overlooked. Her commissions range from large-scale exhibitions and installations to publications, branding and bespoke design work.

Within the Air Arts programme, Emma applies these same principles of close observation and creative enquiry to support healthcare staff, helping them develop creative clinical training skills that can be transferred directly into clinical practice. Her work demonstrates how artistic processes can foster curiosity, improve observation and contribute to a more reflective healthcare culture.

The International Conference on Physician Health™ brings together healthcare professionals, researchers and leaders from around the world to share research and system-level initiatives focused on reducing burnout, improving wellbeing and strengthening the healthcare workforce. The conference is jointly organised by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the British Medical Association (BMA). 

The conference takes place at ICC Olympia, London, from 28 to 30 September 2026, providing an international platform for Emma to showcase the innovative work being delivered through Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity's Air Arts programme.

ENDS