MAPS Origin Story

Doctors Allison Bacon, Kari Foulke and Rachel Friedman have a long history of creative pursuits. Starting as residents at the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency where, in 2010, they produced a music video about Pap Smears as well as a multi-part Rock Musical about Diabetes.

Since that time the dynamic three pack has continued to chase creative passions both independently and together. Hosting creative writing workshops (Allison), Improv meet ups (Kari) and reimagining many a song lyric (Rachel).

They have also been prolific in creating new humans with a total of 8 beautiful kids amongst the three of them.

In early 2022 in between raising children, teaching residents, caring for patients and navigating an endless pandemic the idea for the Medical Arts Project of Sonoma (MAPS) was born.

The vision:

-To have a structured, scheduled time and space for physicians to engage in creative thinking and the arts.

-To learn from other physician artists who are successfully integrating art into their lives and practices.

-To set an example for the newer generation of physicians of a full and creative life within medicine.

-To connect physicians in our community from different systems, specialties and generations.

Doctors Foulke, Bacon, and Friedman circa 2010