Mary Rockwood Lane is a distinguished nurse educator, visual artist, and healthcare visionary who has profoundly influenced the integration of arts with healing practices. As an Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of Florida and co-founder of the groundbreaking Arts In Medicine program in 1991, she has dedicated her career to combining creativity with healthcare delivery. Her impressive credentials include being a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), a Caritas Coach®, and the author of several influential books including "Healing with the Arts," "The Caritas Path to Peace," "Spirit Body Healing," and "Creative Healing." She teaches Creativity and Spirituality in Healthcare at the University of Florida, where she has spent over 15 years directing the Shands Arts in Medicine program before becoming its director emeritus. Lane's work, deeply rooted in Jean Watson's Caring Science theory, extends globally through her workshops, lectures, and a 6-week online program focusing on healing through artistic expression. Her contributions have been instrumental in establishing healing environments in hospitals across the United States, while her numerous articles and books on art, spirituality, and healing continue to influence healthcare professionals worldwide. Through her innovative approach to healthcare education and practice, she has created a lasting legacy that bridges the gap between traditional medical care and creative healing practices.

Michael Samuels, M.D., stands as a pioneering figure in the integration of arts and medicine, with over 25 years of experience working with patients facing life-threatening illnesses. As a physician, artist, and guided imagery specialist at the University of Florida, he has authored numerous influential books that have shaped the field of holistic medicine, including the groundbreaking "Seeing With the Mind's Eye," which established foundational principles for guided imagery therapy. His early works - "The Well Body Book," "Well Baby Book," and "Well Pregnancy Book" - were among the first to introduce self-help concepts in holistic medicine. As the Director of Art As A Healing Force, he has created an extensive network connecting artists with healers, establishing himself as a leading authority in art-based healing practices. His most recent work includes co-authoring "Healing with the Arts," a comprehensive 12-week program that has been widely acclaimed by healthcare institutions worldwide for its innovative approach to using creative expression as a healing tool. Through his teaching, writing, and clinical work, Dr. Samuels continues to demonstrate the powerful connection between artistic expression and healing, making significant contributions to the field of body, mind, and spirit medicine