My Experience with MediVisuals Inc.

This past Friday, I had the incredible opportunity to visit MediVisuals Inc. in Richmond on Libby Avenue, where I spent time shadowing some of their brilliant artists.

What That Means:

For over 30 years, MediVisuals has been a leading provider of medical demonstrative evidence, greatly enhancing litigation outcomes with their precise and compelling visual solutions. As the largest and most experienced firm in this field, MediVisuals excels in creating custom illustrations, animations, and 3D reconstructions to simplify complex medical and technical testimony. Their comprehensive trial presentation services, including technology management and real-time graphic creation, empower legal teams to focus on their cases. MediVisuals' expertise covers personal injury, mass tort litigation, product liability, and medical malpractice, offering crucial visual support for courtroom success.

My visit was a remarkable experience, made possible by Mrs. Cathy Parker, MediVisuals' Controller, who meticulously arranged the tour and introduced me to the team. I am immensely grateful for the warmth and generosity of everyone I met, and if I pursue a career in medical illustration, MediVisuals would undoubtedly be my first choice.

Meeting the Team

• Megan Ward, Medical Illustrator: Megan welcomed me with open arms, sharing her journey from earning a master’s degree in Medical Illustration to her role at MediVisuals. From my conversation with Megan Ward, I gained a thorough understanding of the medical illustration process. Megan walked me through each step, from the initial concepts to the final, polished illustrations. I learned how medical illustrators like Megan blend artistic skills with scientific knowledge to create accurate and detailed medical visuals. She explained how she collaborates with medical professionals to ensure her illustrations are both precise and informative. Megan also highlighted the balance she maintains between her artistic creativity and the technical demands of her job, showing me how advanced software and traditional techniques come together in her work.

• Knox Hubard, Visual Consultant: Knox Hubard, who has been with MediVisuals since 2000, generously shared his extensive knowledge as a primary case consultant and project director. He provided me with valuable insights into the legal and technical aspects of medical illustration. As a primary case consultant and project director, he shared how he manages the intake of cases and oversees the production of medical-legal graphics. I learned how he integrates artistic visuals with legal strategy to support litigation efforts, including interpreting legal requirements and adapting visuals to meet specific case needs. His explanation of how he works with legal teams to refine visuals deepened my appreciation for the intersection of art and law in his role.

• Annie Miller, Business Development Manager: Annie’s experience in client services and business development shone through as she gave me exceptional career advice, especially about transitioning from academia to a professional career. She provided practical tips on aligning my academic pursuits with career goals, emphasizing the importance of networking and relationship-building within the industry. Annie offered insightful guidance on navigating a pre-med track and the challenges of medical school, based on her extensive experience in client services and business development. Her advice on personal and professional growth, including how to effectively communicate my skills, was both motivating and incredibly helpful for my future career planning.

• Rachel Laird, Medical Illustrator: Rachel Laird offered me an in-depth look at the process of creating medical illustrations for legal cases. She explained how medical illustrators work closely with lawyers to gather information and understand specific case requirements. Rachel demonstrated the iterative process of refining illustrations based on feedback, ensuring that each visual accurately represents the medical facts and supports the case narrative. Learning about the tools and techniques she uses, like digital software such as photoshop, provided me with a clearer picture of the precision and communication needed in her role.

• Anekay Kelly, Medical Illustrator: Anekay, with her background in neurosurgical medical illustration and anatomy education, provided me with an immersive experience into the world of medical illustration.

Amanda Behr, director of the Augusta University Anaplastology Clinic

She allowed me to explore MediVisuals' extensive catalog of past illustrations and introduced me to the field of anaplastology, a medical field that uses art, science, and engineering to create custom-made prosthetics to restore or replace missing or malformed body parts. Her willingness to spend an entire hour with me, answering my questions and discussing her work, was both enlightening and deeply appreciated.

My time at MediVisuals was incredibly enriching. Each team member provided unique insights into their roles and the field of medical illustration. From Megan’s detailed artistic techniques and Knox’s integration of visuals with legal strategy, to Annie’s career advice and Rachel’s process in legal cases, and Anekay’s exploration of anaplastology and illustration, I gained a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in this specialized field. Their time, advice, and willingness to share their expertise have significantly influenced my perspective and my interest in possibly pursuing a career in medical illustration. Thank you so much to everyone I spoke to at MediVisuals, I had the best time!

You can learn more about MediVisuals at https://medivisuals.com/