Pop-Up Botanica Exhibit & Lecture Presentation

The University of Arizona Health Sciences Library (UAHSL) plans outreach activities designed to connect with communities in Arizona, including: public health workers and public health educators embedded in underserved communities; “promotores de salud”; K-12 students; Hispanic, Native American, and border-region populations; public librarians especially in rural areas; and, groups of individuals and communities who experience disparities in health care. UAHSL operates from the social determinants of health framework when identifying health priorities to focus our outreach efforts, noting that all community members are welcome to participate in all programs.
The University of Arizona Health Sciences Library (UAHSL) seeks funding to support the digital component of the exhibit entitled, Pop-Up Botanica: Enduring Indigenous Medicine and accompanying educational lecture presentations. UAHSL will collaborate with Dr. Patrisia Gonzales, a faculty member from the university’s Mexican American Studies (MAS) department to host an exhibit in the library in the spring of 2022. As part of a MAS course, students create shadow boxes that display items of traditional healing such as herbs and potions. The exhibit will feature archived shadow boxes. In 2019, students created a 3D video of a few shadow boxes. The 3D video will be featured in the exhibit using consumable virtual reality (VR) headsets. The 3D video will also be available on an iPad for interactive viewing. In addition to the exhibit, two indigenous medicine knowledge keepers (experts) will guest lecture on traditional medicine and healing. Classes from two area high schools with health profession programs will be invited to experience the exhibit and attend the guest lecture presentations. A poster will be on display promoting National Library of Medicine’s (NLM) Resources and Products, such as MedlinePlus - Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CAM) and Native Voices resources for educators. This display will be available during the exhibition period. Visitors will have the opportunity to share their feedback about the exhibit and lecture presentations.