Where Art Meets Medicine

I’m Sapana Adhikari, an ER physician and artist. For the last two decades of clinical practice, I’ve blended art with medicine to create two kinds of work: clear medical illustrations that simplify concepts for patients, and narrative paintings that explore the human stories behind medicine.

Explore Medical Illustration
Explore Narrative Paintings

My visual work

Medical Illustration

Simplified visuals for better patient education.

Simplified illustration of Swimmer's Ear by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of a compression fracture created by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of enlarged adenoids, created by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration to show what to do when you have a nose bleed by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified medical illustration of asthma, created by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of why a tooth hurts so much by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of Swimmer's Ear by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of a compression fracture created by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of enlarged adenoids, created by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration to show what to do when you have a nose bleed by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified medical illustration of asthma, created by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Simplified illustration of why a tooth hurts so much by Sapana Adhikari, MD
Explore Medical Illustration

Narrative Paintings

Oil paintings that explore the human side of medicine.

An oil painting illustrating how medical education works. The flow of medical knowledge starts from the attending physician, passes down to the resident and then the intern. A symbolic narrative medicine artwork representing how doctors learn through observation, experience, and mentorship rather than textbooks.
An oil painting of a weary healthcare professional resting against a stack of medical books during the Covid Epidemic. It is a narrative medicine artwork symbolizing pandemic burnout, misinformation, and the emotional toll on doctors.
An oil painting of a woman at her medicine cabinet surrounded by pills. It is a narrative medical art symbolizing polypharmacy, dependence on medication, and the hidden toll of modern healthcare
An oil painting that captures the tense moment just before an intubation in emergency medicine. It depicts the patient’s fear of the unknown contrasted with the physician’s calm yet focused preparation. A narrative medicine artwork exploring empathy, experience, and the art of care.
Explore Narrative Paintings

Professional Highlights

Published Book

I published my first book, which features over 100 simplified medical illustrations that are designed for bedside patient education.

Cover of 'Diagnosketch: A Visual Guide to Medical Diagnosis for the Non-Medical Audience', featuring an anatomical illustration with detailed views of the human body's systems.
See Book

Institutional Collaborations

I partner with hospitals and clinics to create custom, patient-friendly visuals for common conditions and procedures.

Art Exhibitions and Speaking

I paint narrative medical paintings have been widely exhibited. I also speak at national conferences about art, health literacy, and the medical humanities.

Art and Medicine Newsletter

I write a monthly newsletter that blends art and medicine. It features reflections on medical illustration, health literacy, visual storytelling, and the creative process. Check out a few popular posts below. Subscribe to get each one delivered directly to your inbox.

Medical Illustration

Close-up of a medical illustration depicting the human vascular system, with blue and red vessels against a background of soft tones, showcasing an artistic interpretation of anatomy.
Top 8 Keys to Visual Communication
A Simple Way to Organize All Your Medications
What is Degenerative Joint Disease?
Read More

Medical Humanities

Close-up of a painted portrait featuring a thoughtful woman with a contemplative expression, highlighting details of her face and chin.
Top 12 Best Medical Books If You Love to Read About Medicine
Write About a Time When You Felt Like a Doctor
Write About a Time When You Changed the Way You Think
Read More

Art Process

A close-up of a painted hand with an expressive gesture, showcasing fine details and brushwork against a dark background.
How to Keep a Sketchbook in 5 Steps
How to Get into the Habit of Daily Painting
How to Develop a Painting: Initial Idea into Finished Piece
Read More

Thank you for visiting my corner of the internet, where I explore the intersection of art and medicine. I’m grateful you’re here.

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