Rebecca Kellner, MD
Founder & Lead Instructor
Hi there — I’m so glad you’re here!
I’m Dr. Rebecca Kellner, Founder of Draw Medicine.
Throughout my healthcare journey, I have found that drawing things out has helped me understand and remember complex medical material and information. As someone with advanced art training, I always used drawing when studying and doing research.
When I transitioned from the classroom to the clinic, I realized that the problem of low health literacy was a big issue, and frequently prevented many patients from receiving the proper patient care they deserved. Again and again, I saw patients feel overwhelmed, confused, or even scared by the medical jargon and diagrams they heard and saw.
I saw doctors struggle to convey medical information — searching for an alternative form of communication. Often, I saw healthcare providers turn to drawing. Even with basic or awkward scribbles, this often helped with patient communication. But what if these doctors actually knew how to draw and these pen and paper scribbles could be a little bit more detailed?
And so my mission became to improve health literacy through drawing and clear communication. I’ve personally used drawing to reduce anxiety, build trust, and empower patients, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. What started as a personal learning tool soon became something more — a way to help patients understand their own health in simple, clear terms.
I frequently get this question: “This sounds amazing — shouldn’t I wait until I’m a doctor, or even in medical school, for this to be more relevant?”
The truth is — if you’ve decided that you want to become a clinician, no matter what stage you’re at, it’s already relevant. The earlier you start, the longer you’ll have these skills, and the more valuable they become. Communication becomes a habit, and habits are hard to break. If you wait, there’s a very good chance you won’t have the time to invest to learn these skills — trust me, i’ve been there.
Besides, wouldn’t it be amazing to have these skills help you in your pre-med classes, MCAT, research, and shadowing experiences?
At Draw Medicine, we teach you how to use drawing as a bridge to make medicine accessible and to empower patients to engage with their care. Join us on this journey to create a world where healthcare is clearer, friendlier, and more human.