For clinicians working in fast-paced healthcare environments, it can be easy to focus on routines, schedules, and procedures. Allison Kessler, RDH, a registered dental hygienist, recently shared how the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics and Humanities in Health has offered an opportunity to slow down and to see patients more fully.
After 14 years in practice, she began contemplating whether a master’s degree might be her next step. When she heard about the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics and Humanities in Health, it seemed like an intriguing place to begin.
In addition to working as a hygenist, Kessler is also clinical instructor in the Department of Surgical Dentistry at the CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine, However, it had been a long time since she was a student.
“ I had been out of school for a long time,” Kessler said. “I thought this would be a good segue to see if going back was really what I wanted to do.” The Certificate program’s flexible schedule including online, asynchronous, and evening options made re-entry into graduate education feel more approachable.
The program’s focus on health humanities and ethics appealed to her professional goals. Kessler was drawn to courses that could help her grow as a clinician by deepening her understanding of the human experiences that inform patient care.
When she began the certificate, Kessler hoped to gain insight into how different aspects of healthcare intersect with dentistry and how those perspectives could be applied in her daily work as a dental hygienist. One of the most valuable parts of her experience came through her first course, “The Art of Observation.”
The class challenged students to look carefully and intentionally at works of art, moving beyond the quick glance. “It helped me not just look at a portrait for the typical 30 seconds,” she said. “I learned how to really understand and interpret what’s going on—the emotions, expressions, and message the artist may be trying to convey.”
Equally meaningful was hearing how classmates interpreted the same works differently. Those shared discussions revealed perspectives Kessler hadn’t initially noticed, reinforcing the idea that attentive observation often benefits from multiple viewpoints.
One moment changed her clinical practice. A fellow student focused closely on possible interpretations of facial expressions in a painting. “In my daily routine, I sometimes run behind or fall into the comfort of doing the same thing over and over,” she said. “I focus on the clock, or completing a procedure. I ask my patients questions, but I don’t always really look at them or really see them.”
That realization carried into her professional practice. The course encouraged Kessler to become more attentive not only to what patients say, but to how they say it. She started looking more closely at body language, facial expression, and subtle cues that she might have previously missed. This helped her better understand patients’ needs and improve experiences on both sides of the chair.
Interacting with other students and instructors in the Certificate program reinforced this shift. Kessler found herself slowing down during appointments, observing more intentionally, and using those observations to guide how she proceeds with patient care. She appreciated the collaborative nature of the coursework, particularly class discussions that exposed her to diverse perspectives.
“Working with others helped me better understand topics or see them in a different way,” she said. “Those conversations have been just as valuable as the course materials themselves.”
Kessler is still considering how the certificate may influence her long-term academic or career plans. However, its immediate impact on her clinical practice is clear. She feels better equipped to ask more thoughtful, compassionate questions during appointments, to closely observe patients’ responses, and to understand what may be happening in her patients’ lives.
For students considering the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics and Humanities in Health, Kessler offers an enthusiastic recommendation.
“This program really helps widen your clinical practice and see patients in a different light,” she said. “It helps you understand what’s going on in patients’ lives—and how to approach care with greater awareness and intention.”
Contact Senior Education Coordinator Laurie Munro, MA, at laurie.munro@cuanschutz.edu to ask questions about curriculum and admissions, and explore whether the certificate could support your next step.
Application deadline is June 29 for fall enrollment.