Hi there — I’m so glad you’re here!

 

I’m Dr. Rebecca Kellner, lead instructor of Draw Medicine.

 

I created Draw Medicine as a medical student, back when I was just trying to learn complex medical concepts myself. I found that drawing things out helped me understand and remember complex medical material and information, and I quickly saw that these sketches could help others, too. I found myself using these drawings to explain information to friends and classmates. 

 

But they weren’t the only people I started drawing for. 

 

When I transitioned from the classroom to the clinic, I realized that the problem of low health literacy was a challenge for many patients and frequently prevented them from receiving the proper healthcare. Again and again, I saw patients feel overwhelmed, confused, or even scared by the medical jargon and diagrams they heard and saw.

 

Often, I saw doctors draw for patients to try to help with their explanations, but half the time those awkward scribbles left patients more confused than before. It became clear that the real challenge in medicine isn’t just diagnosing and treating, but helping patients truly understand their diagnoses and treatments. 

 

And so my mission became to improve health literacy through drawing and clear communication. I’ve personally used drawing to reduce anxiety, build trust, and empower patients, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. What started as a personal learning tool soon became something more — a way to help patients understand their own health in simple, clear terms. 

 

I frequently get this question, “This sounds amazing — shouldn’t I wait until I'm a doctor, or even in medical school, for this to be more relevant?”

 

The answer is — if you’ve decided that you want to become a clinician, no matter what stage you’re at, it’s already relevant. You need to start as early as possible. Communication becomes a habit, and habits are hard to break. If you wait until then, it will be too late — you won’t have the time to invest to learn these skills. 

 

Besides, wouldn’t it be amazing to start now and be able to use these skills during your pre-med classes, for research, or to enhance your shadowing experiences and add value when working with doctors, and then arrive in medical school or as a doctor already armed with the skills to improve health literacy?

 

At Draw Medicine, we teach pre-med, med students how to use drawing as a bridge — making complex ideas accessible and empowering patients to ask questions and engage in their care. Join us on this journey to create a world where healthcare is clearer, friendlier, and more human.

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Welcome to Draw Medicine,
Rebecca Kellner, MD