River Cells

Paula Crawford is an artist and professor of fine arts at George Mason University. She was also at one time a Clinical Center patient, who participated in an NIH NIDDK clinical research trial to treat chronic Hepatitis C. Following her treatment, Crawford spent several months painting River Cells with the intention to donate it to the Clinical Center. The artist said she strove to create a painting that evoked water flowing over river stones and also the view of Hepatitis C virus cells through a microscope.

Reflecting on her time at the Clinical Center, Crawford said, “I had the best medical care that I have ever experienced in my life … I encountered a rare and unparalleled combination of organization, competence and kindness. The care to the physical building coupled with that of the doctors and staff become critical to a kind of total experience the patient receives.”