Role of humanities in treating the seriously ill is a new fund’s focus

The Max Ritvo ’13 and Alan B. Slifka ’51 Program Fund for the Medical Humanities has been established at the Yale Child Study Center to explore the interface between children’s illness experiences—particularly of psychiatric conditions and of chronic or terminal illnesses—and the humanities.

The multidisciplinary program aims to improve the clinical experience of those affected by illness, and to strengthen the ability of providers to deliver compassionate care. It will include a guest speaker and visiting scholar component, as well as the presence of an artist-in-residence.

Riva Ariella Ritvo, PhD, and the Alan B. Slifka Foundation have endowed the initiative, in memory of Ritvo’s husband and son.