AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

535 NORTH DEARBORN STREET . CHICAGO. ILLINOIS 60610 o PHONE (312) 751-6000 o TWX 910-221-0300

DwlslDN OF EDucATlDMAL
STANOAR&% AND EVMUATIDN

RtCCL. EGAN, M.D.

DEPARTMENT OF ALLIED HEALTH
EDUCATIDN AND ACCREDITATKLIJ
(312) 751.6272

&y 13, 1981

JDHN J. FAUSER, Ph.D.
Director

C. Everett Koop, MD
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
Public Health Service
Washington DC 20201

Dear Dr. Koop:

Thank you so much for sending me the two prints of paintings done by Joni Eareckson
for consideration as cover art for the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Unfortunately, I erred when I informed your office that Theresa Southgate, MD, had
selected "New Life" and that we would need a transparency of the work in order to
prepare the cover.  I was informed on May 6 that a final decision was made not to use
Ms. Eareckson's work.                                             

It is unfortunate that we are missing the opportunity, pointed out in your letter, to
remind physicians of the potential of persons with disabling.conditions.  I feel that
it is even more unfortunate that physicians will not be provided with an opportunity
to be exposed'to Ms. Eareckson's work on-its-own merits, thereby missing the aes-
thetic experience of participating in the organic relationship that exists between
a fine work of art and the viewer/participator.

Physicians and other JAMA readers have many opportunities to see the works of the
"masters;." but unfortunately, works by persons with disabling conditions are not cur-
rently adequately "mainstreamed."  That time is undoubtedly coming, and I am sure
there will be future opportunities to submit candidates for JAMA covers.  In the
meantime, Ms. Eareckson's works will continue to make a significant aesthetic and so-
cial contribution by enlarging the artistic and humanistic sensitivities of those who
see her work.

A delightful result of.this temporary setback is that it caused me to rethink objec-
tives and alternate means of accomplishing them.: I am currently involved in assisting
allied health organizations and medical specialty societies responding to Newsletter
materials in utilizing existing resources to promote the International Year of Dis-
abled Persons, but I had completelyoverlookedrecommending that these groups feature
works of art by persons with disabling conditions.  The cover of JAMA seemed like
such an ideal "window? that it didn't occur to me that lots of little windows can
let'in as much light as one large window . . .