The Paul McHugh Program for Human Flourishing

The Paul McHugh Program for Human Flourishing provides opportunities for physicians who are at all levels of training and practice – from pre-medical students through emeritus faculty – at Johns Hopkins University and beyond to explore the ‘big questions’ of what it means to be human, to be a physician, and to lead a good life – under the mentorship of physician faculty recognized nationally for their excellence as clinicians and teachers. 

Visual Thinking Strategies for Health Professionals Faculty Development/CME Offerings

Foundations of Visual Thinking Strategies for Health Professionals

A concise half-day introduction to Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) -- including demonstrations of VTS facilitated by expert faculty and smaller group VTS practice sessions -- and resources to assist you in developing VTS facilitation skills to apply in your clinical care and/or teaching. A great opportunity to learn the foundational basics of VTS as part of a small group with feedback from experienced educators. $900

Dates for this academic year:

  • April 30, 2025: 1-5p ET – Washington, DC
  • January 14th, 2026: 1-5pm ET – Baltimore 

View CME Accreditation and Disclosure Information
Email Us to Enroll

Longitudinal Program in VTS Facilitation for Health Professionals

An in-depth experience with Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) at the Baltimore Museum of Art with expert demonstrations of VTS and its use in health professions settings by nationally recognized VTS facilitators, detailed discussions of foundational concepts, guided application of the principles of VTS facilitation in practice sessions, and structured feedback by certified VTS coaches -- and resources to assist you in developing VTS facilitation skills to apply in your clinical care and/or teaching. A great opportunity to develop skills in VTS as part of a small group with support from experienced educators. $8000 

Dates for this academic year: 

  • 12 select Wednesdays, September 24, 2025 – June 24, 2026: 1-5p ET – Baltimore 

View CME Accreditation and Disclosure Information
Email Us to Enroll

Beginners Principles & Practice in VTS Facilitation for Health Professionals

A three-day course provides expert demonstration of VTS and its use in health professions settings by nationally recognized VTS facilitators and an overview of the basic principles of VTS, as well as daily opportunities to practice facilitating VTS in DC art museums and to receive feedback from certified VTS coaches. This workshop is designed for faculty who are responsible for clinical care and/or for teaching any level of health professions learners and who desire to learn to facilitate open ended discussions with their patients and learners using an evidence-based visual arts-based pedagogical method. Completion of this course is the pre-requisite for enrolling in the Advanced Principles & Practice course that provides additional training, practice, and coaching in VTS. A great opportunity to develop skills in VTS facilitation as part of a small group with feedback from experienced educators! $3300

Dates for this academic year: 

  • December 10, 2025 – December 12, 2025: 8am-5p ET – Washington, DC 
  • May 6, 2026 – May 8, 2026: 8am-5pm ET – Washington, DC

View CME Accreditation and Disclosure Information
Email Us to Enroll

Leadership

Director: Margaret S. Chisolm, M.D. | Associate Director: Paul R. McHugh, M.D.

Funding for the McHugh Program currently comes from private foundations and philanthropic contributions. Make a gift.

Contact Us

To learn more about the Paul McHugh Program for Human Flourishing and to get involved with any of our educational activities, please contact:

Director Margaret Chisolm at [email protected] or 410-550-9744

Dr. Chisolm can also be contacted via Twitter @whole_patients

Support the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Learn how you can donate to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences or a work of a specific clinician or researcher. Your contribution can continue to advance our research and provide a better quality of life for the world.