A CONVERSATION WITH CYNTHIA STANDLEY, PHD
This month, I had the opportunity to talk with Cynthia Standley, PhD, the director of the Neurological Sciences block for first-year medical students and also the director of Art in Medicine at The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. Cindi shared with me how she integrates her love of the brain and art into her life.
On the Path to Phoenix
Cindi remembers always wanting to wear a white coat—though she did not know whether it would be splattered with paint or with something else. However, she knew she was always interested in the brain.
Born and raised in Michigan, Cindi attended Wayne State University in Detroit for both college and graduate school. As an undergraduate, she took science classes alongside art classes, and at the time, she also worked as an aerobics instructor. One day, she happened to share with one of fellow instructors, who was a medical student, that she was fascinated with the brain and memory. By chance, this medical student knew the perfect professor with whom Cindi could work, and shortly thereafter, she joined the research lab of Dr. Robin Barraco in the Department of Physiology. Cindi had her undergraduate research published and was soon accepted into the PhD program in physiology, completing her thesis in “Adenosine Modulation of Seizure Activity.” Another door soon opened at Wayne State in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and she started studying seizures in pregnancy as a post-doctoral fellow, which eventually led to her first faculty appointment in the same department. However, at this point in her life, her art took a back seat to her career.
While in graduate school, she also met her husband, Paul Standley, PhD, and after dating for five years, Paul proposed within a week of Cindi defending her dissertation. They were married within a year. At the time, both Paul and Cindi were in non-tenure-track positions at Wayne State University. Moving to Arizona in 1996, Cindi became one of the inaugural faculty members at Midwestern University, where she stayed for ten years, and later also became one of the first professors at the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Mesa (SOMA). While she was excited to be part of the new clinical-presentation-based teaching model at SOMA, it was a very long commute from her house. Thus, she was especially happy when a physiology position opened in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at UA COM-P, where she has now been a faculty member for nine years.
Art Abandonment
This past year, Cindi turned 50 and also sent her daughter off to college. In the year leading up to this milestone, she decided not only to spend more time doing arts and crafts but also to give them away by joining a group called “Art Abandonment,” whose purpose is to create art and leave it for people to find. Cindi was going to create anonymous art and leave at least a piece once a week leading up to her 50th birthday. She has left them in elevators, parking lots, doctor’s offices, and a number of other places. A tag is placed on the art, and it asks the finder to send an e-mail letting the creators of the group know what art was found and where. Most people don’t send an e-mail, but she has probably received notifications from about ten findings.
She completed her first “Abandonment” on her 49th birthday while camping at the KOA in Flagstaff, which made her nervous but also excited! The piece she left was a watercolor with stamping that had the word “Hope” with a big heart. Three days later, a “mail call” came in that said, “I found your painting on the dog trail while I was camping with my husband in Flagstaff. It was so special to find this painting and to see the word ‘Hope’ as I am a breast cancer survivor of five years. That message just keeps me going.” This response filled Cindi with excitement, and this group became something she looked forward to, especially since she was missing her daughter who had previously been her craft buddy. Now that she has turned 50, she plans to continue abandoning art.
Proudest Moments
Cindi is most proud of having met and married her husband, Paul, and raising their two children, Hannah (19) and Quinn (16).
While she was at Midwestern in 2005, she was honored as one of Phoenix’s “40 Under 40” in the Phoenix Business Journal. She also received Midwestern University’s Littlejohn Award, which was awarded by her peers for excellence in teaching, research and service. Cindi was completely surprised by this award, which meant a lot to her as she feels it is very special to be recognized by peers.
Eye of the Tiger
One fun fact is that Cindi is a major “Rocky” fan. She LOVES all of the movies. She will hear the music and want to get down and do some push-ups! Her favorite part of the last released movie was when Rocky said that it doesn’t matter how hard you get hit; what matters is that you get up and keep moving forward. She likes to remember that tomorrow is another day to keep moving forward.
Advice to a Younger Cindi
“Don’t take life so seriously.” Also, “make time for play, fun and people you love.”
Breaking Down Barriers
Cindi wishes there were easier ways to break down the barriers between “us and them.” The students who come by her office always comment on how comfortable and welcoming it is, and she presents this invitation to all of you: “Stop by, I have a Keurig!”
Lisa Yanez is the Assistant Director, Curricular Programs in the Department of Academic Affairs at The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. She earned her Master of Business Administration degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. Lisa successfully defended her dissertation recently and will graduate in May 2017 with a Doctor of Education at Arizona State University. Her dissertation research focused on active engagement in medical education.