Mandy Root-Thompson, MS, CMI, FAMI

I’m a Certified Medical Illustrator and Professor of Medical Illustration at Augusta University, and I came into this field through a side door.

Before medical illustration, I spent thirteen years as a professional kayaking instructor, teaching on coastlines and open water, training other instructors, and working internationally. What that taught me wasn’t just paddling. It was how people learn. That approach never left me. It just moved into the studio and the classroom.

I received my bachelor’s degree in illustration from the Columbus College of Art and Design, a teaching certificate from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I am currently pursuing my doctorate at Augusta University.

My work focuses on surgical and research illustration, patient education, and editorial figures for peer-reviewed journals, books, and magazines. My freelance practice is selective by design. I take on projects that interest me, push me, and make a difference.

Beyond my own practice, I serve as Chair of the Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators and as a Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators. Giving back to this community matters to me, a lot.

And just to keep it real, I also make the occasional middle school career day presentation.