Our Mission
The George Family Center for Healing Arts at Rowan University promotes health and well-being through the transformative power of the arts. Our work integrates creative practices into clinical care, medical education, community life, and research. Rooted in collaboration, we partner with students, healthcare professionals, and community members to create meaningful artistic experiences that support healing, learning, and connection for all.
What is Arts in Health?
Arts in health is a growing field that brings visual, performing, and literary arts into healthcare and community settings to support health and healing. The National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH) defines it as the integration of the arts into a wide range of care environments for therapeutic, educational, and expressive purposes.
Our Team
Morgan Yacoe
Morgan Yacoe is the Inaugural Director of the George Family Center for Healing Arts at Rowan University. A sculptor by training, she earned her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and her MFA from the University of Florida. Yacoe is an interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator who blends art and health to foster learning and improve healthcare.
Her innovative projects include developing novel medical educational tools and techniques to integrate art into medical training. Yacoe has presented at conferences across the country, published her research in medical journals and received funding from the NIH for her work and research.
Dr. James E. George
Dr. James George has dedicated nearly 50 years to emergency medicine. He earned his MD and JD concurrently from the University of Louisville while serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves Medical Corps. An early adopter of emergency medicine, he served on the Board of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and authored several books. A co-founding member of TeamHealth and the law firm George & Korin, he specialized in defending healthcare providers.
In 2016, an injury led him to the healing power of art. He is a prolific abstract painter. His artwork is now displayed at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and other healthcare facilities across the region. He received the Adam Taliaferro Foundation Award and continues to paint and spend time with loved ones.
Gabby Margulies
Gabby Margulies is the Care Coordinator at the George Family Center for Healing Arts. In her role, she facilitates the ArtsWise Rx program, connecting individuals to community art events that support their unique healthcare goals. She is thrilled to be part of a team that values the transformative power of the arts to inspire growth, resilience, and change.
She earned her B.A. in Art from Rowan University, with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate of Undergraduate Studies in Creative Industries Entrepreneurship. She will soon begin a Master of Science in Community and Trauma Counseling with an Art Therapy Specialization at Jefferson University.
Anabelle Lopez
Anabelle is a Senior at Rowan University double majoring in Advertising and Public Relations who brings her creative energy to the Healing Arts Center through visual design. She creates graphics and promotional materials using tools like Figma and Adobe Illustrator, helping to communicate the center’s mission. Her work reflects her belief that art is a powerful tool for self-expression, healing, and connection.
