In 1999, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education identified interpersonal and communication skills as key attributes of effective physicians, and therefore a core competency to cultivate in medical training. "Connections" is a community-engaged course in which undergraduate students train to facilitate therapeutic interactions with art for museum-goers diagnosed with conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Substance Use Disorder, and HIV/AIDS. This article reflects on the long-term and lasting improvements in empathetic communication abilities reported by students who completed the "Connections" course and are now pursuing graduate training or a career in healthcare. This case study approach will also share course structure and teaching methods used in "Connections" to demonstrate how experiential learning practices in the arts provide meaningful opportunities for future healthcare professionals to build their interpersonal and communication skills as undergraduates, giving them a head start at mastering these competencies in graduate programs and employing them effectively in their careers.