Leonard Shapiro ORCiD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1362-8254
Leonard Shapiro - Leonard is an artist working in the health sciences and advancing art-based programs within the anatomical education curricula. He is honorary lecturer in the Primary Healthcare Directorate, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Leonard has developed a novel, multi-sensory observation method, that specifically employs the sense of touch (haptics) coupled with the simultaneous act of drawing. It is called the Haptico-visual observation and drawing (HVOD) method. In anatomy education, the benefits of using the HVOD method include i) the enhanced observation of the 3D form of anatomical parts, ii) the cognitive memorisation of anatomical parts as a 3D 'mental picture', iii) improved spatial orientation within the volume of anatomical parts, and iv) an ability to draw. The HVOD method is taught to medical students, clinicians and anatomy educators in South Africa and abroad. Leonard also works with anatomy educators to develop tailored art-based programs to assist medical students in improving their observation and 3D spatial awareness.
Leonard has taught the HVOD method at the University of Cape Town (South Africa), Newcastle University (UK), The University of British Columbia (Canada), The Gordon Museum of Pathology (UK), University College Cork (Ireland), Weill Cornell Medical College (USA).
Leonard contributes to the anatomy education discourse via publications and articles and by presenting at anatomy conferences.
Leonard Shapiro, B.Soc.Sc., B.A. Fine Art (Hons).