Matthew Dettmer, Michelle Duke, Kristen Tetzmann
Exhibition: The Leftovers
Sept 3 - September 27, 2025
The Leftovers is a collaborative art project by Matthew Dettmer, MD; Michelle Duke, RN; and Kristen Tetzmann that bridges the worlds of healthcare, poetry, and visual art. This unique initiative uses medical waste and supplies—such as IV bags, surgical drapes, and pill bottles—as artistic mediums to explore the multifaceted impacts of healthcare on patients, families, and professionals. Through a combination of visual installations and poetry, the project invites reflection on the emotional, physical, and societal dimensions of medicine.
The overarching goal of The Leftovers is to provoke dialogue and contemplation about healthcare in America, emphasizing the human experiences often overlooked in clinical discussions. The project juxtaposes the tangible remnants of medicine with the intangible emotional and relational impacts, fostering a deeper understanding of the intersections between treatment, communication, and care.
Biographies
Matthew Dettmer, MD: A Cleveland-based physician and poet pursuing an MFA in creative writing at NEOMFA. His work has appeared in Harpy Hybrid Review, Olney, and The Palisades Review.
Michelle Duke, RN: A registered nurse with 15 years of experience, a bookseller at Elizabeth’s Bookshop, and a student and instructor in the NEOMFA program through the University of Akron.
Kristen Tetzmann: A poet and painter with a BA in Art Therapy and Creative Writing from Mount Mary University and a second-year poetry candidate in NEOMFA. Her work has appeared in Bodega Magazine, Furrow, and Qwerty Quarterly.
