San Francisco Dr. Don Hershman's steady hand masters the art of surgery

San Francisco-based surgeon and artist Dr. Don Hershman credits discipline, creativity, and a steady hand as essential qualities for both his medical and artistic pursuits.

Hershman's experience as a gay man navigating medical school under the constraints of a time when being openly LGBTQ+ was not accepted has given him a unique perspective on code-switching - adjusting language, tone, and behavior to adapt to different social contexts. This phenomenon is reflected in some of his recent artwork.

According to Hershman, one of the commonalities between surgery and art lies in their ability to bring people together. In the operating room, patients from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses sit side by side, making them equal in that moment. Similarly, an artist's work transcends boundaries of privilege and culture.

For Hershman, being a surgeon has not only honed his skills but also elevated his artistic expression. The discipline required for surgery translates to the precision and attention to detail needed for art. The experience of working with patients from all walks of life as an artist informs his approach to representation in his work.

Hershman's dual identity is reflective of a larger conversation about the intersections between creativity, empathy, and human connection. By bridging these two seemingly disparate fields, Hershman offers a compelling vision for how art and medicine can come together to foster understanding and inclusivity.

I think its pretty cool that someone like Dr Don Hershman is breaking down barriers between different careers. Like, who would've thought that something as serious as surgery could be related to art? I mean, I get what he's saying about bringing people together and all that, but for me it's more about how his experiences as a gay man have made him a better artist and surgeon. He's showing us that even though our fields might seem different, we can still use them to connect with others and make the world a better place.

just heard that COVID-19 cases are on the rise again , like 30% increase in the past month alone. also read that California is experiencing its worst drought in over 1,000 years...like, no rain in sight for the next year. meanwhile, don't even get me started on the rising cost of healthcare , making it harder for people to access medical care. anyway, at least surgeons like Dr. Hershman are doing their part to bring art and medicine together

I mean, I love how Dr. Hershman is using his platform to highlight the weird overlap between surgery and art . Like, who knew code-switching was a thing? And now he's making it into art? It's like he's trying to tell us that being a surgeon is actually about understanding people on a deeper level... or maybe just having really steady hands. Either way, I'm here for the art and the perspective

I think being a surgeon has really helped him be more artistic ... I mean, have you seen the precision he must have in the operating room? That's like painting with laser beams or something! But at the same time, I'm not sure it's that simple... I mean, what about all the trauma and emotional labor he must have experienced as a gay man in medical school? Doesn't that shape his art in some way too? Maybe his experiences as a surgeon inform his work, but they don't define it entirely. It's like, what if his art is trying to say something about the intersectionality of our identities and how we navigate different spaces? Or maybe he's just using code-switching for art's sake... I mean, can you really separate them that much?

OMG u no how much i love dis story ! Dr. Don Hershman is literally the coolest doc ever, like he's not just a surgeon but also an artist . I mean, who else can say they've got the skills to save lives AND create masterpiece art? Anyway, i love how he talks about code-switching and how it relates to his art - like, as a gay man in med school, he had to adapt to all these different social contexts, which is so relatable tbh . And yessss, surgery & art both bring ppl together, thats such a beautiful thing

I'm not sure about this one... seems like Dr. Hershman is trying to force a narrative that's too convenient . I mean, code-switching is an actual research field that studies language adaptation, but is he really saying that surgery is all about bringing people together? That sounds like a pretty simplistic view of complex medical practices .

And what about the power dynamics at play in the operating room? Patients are not just sitting side by side, they're also being treated for serious illnesses or injuries. It's not all rainbows and butterflies .

I'd love to see some evidence that supports this intersectional approach between art and medicine. Where's the research? What studies back up his claims about creativity, empathy, and human connection?

I love how Dr Don Hershman's background as a surgeon is influencing his art in such a cool way ! He's totally right that the precision and attention to detail from surgery is actually really helpful for art, it's like he's taking this super valuable skill from one field and applying it to another. And I'm also loving how he's using his own experiences as a gay man in medical school to explore ideas about code-switching and representation - it's so interesting to see how that informs his artistic approach

This guy's got skills - from scrubbing out organs to painting masterpieces . It's dope that he's speaking up about the importance of empathy & human connection in both his art & medicine . And let's be real, surgeons & artists both need to have a solid grasp on "being present" in their work - no distractions allowed !

I'm thinking, what if we applied some of Dr. Hershman's code-switching skills in politics? We need more politicians who can adapt their language and tone to bring people together . It's not about changing who you are, but being able to find common ground with folks from different backgrounds and perspectives. In the US, for example, we have this crazy polarization issue where it feels like people from opposing sides are speaking different languages. Can't we learn from art and medicine how to put our differences aside in pursuit of understanding?

I totally get why this doc's artwork is so cool! As a parent, I've seen my kiddos grow up in a world where they're constantly being told to be themselves, but also to consider others. It's like, how can we expect them to navigate all those complexities if we don't show them that it's okay to be different? I love that Dr Hershman is using his platform to bring art and medicine together - it's like he's saying, "Hey, being creative and taking care of others aren't mutually exclusive!" My kid's art teacher always says that art is about self-expression, but I think this doc is saying it's also about listening to others and trying to understand their perspectives. That's some powerful stuff!

idk why ppl think art & surgery r so diff they both got 1 thing in common - precision u just gotta be able to focus on the task at hand n not let distractions get in the way, whether ur scrubbed in or stirrin' paint also, its all about respectin the other person, regardless of their background, thats what i love about dr hershman's approach, he gets it

I think its awesome that Dr. Don Hershman is breaking down barriers between surgery & art . Its like, his experience as an openly gay man in med school made him super aware of the importance of adaptability & empathy – not just in medicine, but in life too . I mean, think about it, when you're in the OR, you gotta put aside all your biases & work with people from all walks of life... thats literally what art is all about!