Briscoe Library Builds a Wall

It all started with a request to the library from Sandra Sanchez-Reilly MD (Clinical Professor in the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Medicine) on behalf of a project in collaboration with community partners (Vitas Hospice, University Health System, GRECC, Audie L. Murphy VA) and UT Health San Antonio. Starting with just one two-sided wall section, librarians and staff began the wall building process utilizing mobile poster boards.

Librarians Chris Gaspard, Christy Tyson, and Kirsten Lorenzen
1st wall section in the library

The wall was designed based on an international interactive public art project entitled Before I Die created by artist Candy Chang. Materials were provided by project partners facilitated by Jennifer LaCoss MD ( Assistant Professor of Medicine UT Health Palliative Medicine) and Rachel Vandermeer MD (Assistant Professor Pediatrics – Ambulatory Care) pictured below.

Rachel Vandermeer MD and Jennifer LaCoss MD
I want to…Be a Grandma!

From May 8 to 16, the wall eventually grew to 6 sections, 12 sides, as over 300 people contributed their personal responses to the statement, Before I die, I want to… Later in conjunction with a showing of the FRONTLINE documentary Being Mortal featuring author Atul Gwande, the wall was moved to the Lecture hall commons area just outside of the Pestana Lecture Hall.

Wall in Lecture Commons area
Sandra Sanchez-Reilly MD
Article Categories: News from the Libraries