Home > Media Relations > Mercy News Archive

Media Relations: Mercy News Archive

Dr. David Riseberg (left), Medical Oncologist, sees patients in the Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy

Mercy Medical Oncologist Dr. David Riseberg And Lagniappe Project Artist Andrea Cooper Discuss "Healing With Art"

Some local cancer patients are taking art classes as part of their treatments at Mercy Medical Center. Ernestine Traversari was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996. She said she had a reoccurrence in 2007 and is currently having chemotherapy every Wednesday at Mercy — along with art class. Andrea Cooper is an artist with the Lagniappe Project, which brings all sorts of artists to places where people are facing health problems to offer distraction and a bit of joy. "(Therapy) can be really boring and disconcerting. Patients are afraid — uneasy. They need something to lighten the mood a bit," Cooper said. Traversari admitted she was a reluctant artist. "At first, I tried not to do it, but she kept talking to me and … I just enjoyed it," she said. According to Mercy medical oncologist Dr. David Riseberg, the program helps patients communicate and relax. "It's been a nice addition. Patients seem to enjoy it. They don't just do it by themselves, but with family. They get to share with each other. I've seen some nice results," he said. Lagniappe means a little extra, according to Cooper. "I refer to it as the cherry on top that makes life worth living," she said. The Lagniappe Project started in New Orleans, but the founder, David O'Donahue, moved to Baltimore after he lost his home in Hurricane Katrina. For more information and to see Dr. Riseberg's interview, visit WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor" at http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/19168670/detail.html.