The program, “Better Health at Our Fingertips,” was presented at the Leighton Auditorium, Mayo Clinic, on April 15, 2025. This program, which was open to the public, was done in collaboration with Mayo Chapter Sigma Xi, discussing the health benefits of practicing the fiber arts.
For centuries, those who knitted, crocheted, spun, wove, felted, sewed, quilted, or otherwise created with fiber experienced a sense of calmness, stress relief, community connections and general well-being. During the last 10-15 years, however, doctors, neuroscientists and researchers increasingly have studied “how” and “why” that is. This program included a panel discussion among the experts as to why fiber artists and crafters have this experience and how we can all benefit from engaging in fiber arts.
Moderator, Honorable Marcia S. Krieger, Senior United States District Judge.
Panelists: Dr. Scott Breitinger, MD. Board-certified Psychiatrist, Division of Integrated Behavioral Health and the Medical Director of the Jean Delores Lavins Center for the Humanities in Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Julia Joseph-DiCaprio, MD. Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Board Member of the University of Minnesota Physicians, President and Founder of Leap Pediatric and Adolescent Care, prior Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of UCare and author of “A Stitch in Time That Soothes Minds” published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on August 31 and September 1, 2024.
Kathryn McAlister. Retired Psychotherapist and Fiber Artist. Member of the Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild. Kathryn has used fiber arts as a therapeutic tool.
We were fortunate to have Marcia Krieger on KTTC Midwest Access talking about the program!
Here is a recording of the event…Please note the recording begins early and it takes a few minutes before Dr. Patel comes on camera and begins the introduction. https://mssvideoupload.mayo.edu/media/Fiber+Arts%3A+Better+Health+at+our+Fingertips+Sigma+Xi+Public+Lecture+4.15.25/1_60800jkv
