COLUMBUS, Ohio — The COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, but burnout is still a reality many health care workers and medical students are facing.

What You Need To Know

• The Ohio State College of Medicine’s Health Sciences Art Show is meant to cultivate human expression and reduce stress


• Ohio State medical students, residents and doctors take part in the event


• The show is March 6

The Ohio State College of Medicine’s Health Sciences Art Show is helping many of the medical students, residents and doctors through it.

The event is meant to cultivate human expression and reduce stress.

According to recent studies by the Mayo Clinic, half of all medical students experience stress or burnout at one point or another. 

It’s something first-year medical student Natalie Johnson knows all too well.

“There’s always that thought in the back of your head, like, I should be doing more,” she said. “There’s always something to do and study. It’s just kind of the beast of it.”

As stressful as medical school can be, Johnson said painting helps.  

“It just clears my mind a lot, and it kind of reminds me that I’m human, and I deserve the time to tap into the things that bring me joy in life,” she said.

And when the time comes, Johnson could very well win the judges over in the art show, but for now, she’s just enjoying the process. 

“I hope they enjoy it,” Johnson said. “That’s never my motivation, and why I do what I do. But I’m excited to share it. I don’t know what it’s going to completely turn out to be yet, but I like how it’s turning out so far.”

Johnson is currently studying medicine to become a physician. 

The Ohio State College of Medicine is hosting the Health Sciences Art Show on March 6.