CHCS - Perspectives Summer/Fall 2017

44 Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Orlando Alumnus Creates Medcomic Masterpiece By Margaret Klusman, PA, Class of 2017 Student WHOEVER THOUGHT a medical book could make you laugh while helping you learn? Medcomic is a series of cartoons written and illustrated by Jorge Muniz, M.M.Sc. , PA-C, who graduated from NSU’s Physician Assistant Program in 2013. Termed “the most entertaining way to study medicine” by its author, Medcomic makes memorizing the most tedious of medical conditions and concepts enjoyable with humor and brilliant artistry. The book provides unforgettable visual representations of diseases and processes, as well as clinical pearls in text. Muniz began drawing at a young age. In the second grade, he won first place in a school art competition. He submitted a drawing of a monster and describes the experience as one of his earliest memories of being excited to draw cartoons. Muniz was inspired by 1990’s animated TV shows such as Ren & Stimpy and the Looney Toons . He designs his cartoons in a similar style, creating them to be incredibly emotive and able to convey a message. During PA school, Muniz, a visual learner, sought pictures and diagrams in his textbooks to help him digest important med- ical concepts. Much to his dismay, he realized the images in his books were very plain. He became inspired to combine his passions for medicine and drawing. While doing his pediatric rotation during his clinical year, Muniz drew his first Medcomic cartoon. Muniz shared his art with his classmates to aid in their studies. Professors even started incorporating his comics into their lectures. After receiving significant positive feedback, Muniz began posting his comics online. About two years later, the students and professors contacted him, requesting his art- work in a single collection. Muniz worked toward publishing his medical cartoons and launched a Kickstarter project to raise funds and awareness. Through the power of social media, the campaign was a huge success. Muniz utilized Facebook, YouTube, and his own website to inform his fan base and keep interest high. In the end, Medcomic was born. His artwork has reached audiences across the world and across medical professions. After graduation, he began working full time as a physician assistant while continuing his artistic ventures. Muniz, who has a passion for improving medical education, continues to give back to NSU and the academic community in many ways. He enjoys being a preceptor for many NSU PA students on their clinical rotations, and he mentors pre-PA students in the application process and in preparation for interviews. Muniz visited NSU Orlando’s PA Program to assist with teach- ing students in the suturing lab. In addition to promoting medical education, he is proud to promote the PA profession. He thinks becoming a PA was one of his best decisions. When asked about what advice he would give a newly graduated physician assistant, Muniz provided the following comments. “Being a physician assistant is a tremendous privilege. With experience, certain parts of your job may start to feel routine, but always keep in mind that what is routine for you is not routine for the patients,” he said. “They could be experiencing a certain illness for the first time in their life. It is always important to demonstrate empathy and compassion when treating your patients. It’s very fulfilling for me when patients express how much they appreciate the time I’ve taken to listen to their concerns.”