Mary Blazek

Mary Blazek serves as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School, directing both the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic and Medical Humanities Path of Excellence. Her work uniquely bridges clinical psychiatry with humanities through structured art-based education approaches.

Her educational journey includes:

• Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Notre Dame (1976-1980)
• MD, University of Illinois College of Medicine (1980-1984)
• Psychiatry Residency & Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship, University of Cincinnati (1984-1989)
• Master of Education in Health Professions candidate, Johns Hopkins University (2012-present)

Dr. Blazek's research focuses on dementia management in long-term care and behavioral interventions for dementia-related disturbances, while pioneering medical humanities integration to combat ageism. Her innovative Visual Thinking Strategies approach uses museum-based education to enhance clinical observation skills and physician wellness, featured in national media including KFF Health News and Association for Academic Psychiatry podcasts.

She actively shapes medical education through the Medical Humanities Path of Excellence and University of Michigan Museum of Art elective, developing resources on firearm safety for suicide prevention and contributing to pandemic-era telehealth research. Her leadership connects clinical practice with humanities to address systemic challenges in geriatric psychiatry and medical training.