[SPR26] Narrative Medicine for Clinicians

Narrative Medicine for Clinicians 

takes Place on April 13, 2026 | from 2pm-5pm eST | Fully Online

Presenter: Danielle Spencer, Ph.D.

Danielle Spencer is a faculty member in the Columbia University Narrative Medicine Graduate Program. She is the author of Metagnosis: Revelatory Narratives of Health and Identity (Oxford University Press, 2021) and co-author of Perkins-Prize-winning The Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine (OUP, 2017) with Rita Charon and colleagues within the Columbia Narrative Medicine program. Her work appears in diverse outlets, from The Lancet to Ploughshares. She publishes academic and creative nonfiction on such topics as narrative ethics; narratives of retrospective diagnosis; narrative medicine; clinician writing; genetic revelations and identity, and media studies, and lectures widely. She is the Editor of the Anthem Studies in Narrative and Health Humanities book series and is an Associate Editor of Literature and Medicine. Formerly artist/musician David Byrne’s Art Director, Spencer holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.S. in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and has been awarded fellowships at MacDowell and Yaddo. www.daniellespencer.com

Description:

In this 3-hour workshop, Danielle Spencer, Ph.D., of the Columbia Narrative Medicine Program, will introduce the core concepts of Narrative Medicine through an exploration of such foundational principles as close reading, narrative skills, and creative writing. We will begin with a brief introduction of core narrative medicine principles and provide some history context for the field. Then we will read a short text together and practice close reading and discussion of its themes, followed by a prompted writing exercise. After a short break, we will discuss the relevance and applicability of such narrative skills in clinical practice, inviting participants’ contributions and engagement. 

This offering is made possible in part through collaboration with the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Health (KNN). The KNN is a movement dedicated to advancing flourishing across the health ecosystem. Through research-based strategies that promote character, caring, and practical wisdom, the KNN partners with organizations to unlock their potential and build cultures that elevate everyone. Our strengths-based methods combine a robust guiding framework, scholar-practitioner approaches, deep subject matter expertise, and national peer collaboration to solve complex culture and workforce challenges. To learn more, visit the KNN website.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objective 1: Develop an understanding of the key competencies of Narrative Medicine.

Learning Objective 2: Practice close reading skills and reflective writing in order to see how they apply in a clinical context.

Learning Objective 3:  Develop an appreciation for the relevance and applicability of Narrative Medicine practices in clinical practice  

Timeline and Requirements:

The course will take place virtually on 4/13/26 from 2pm to 5pm EST.

CE Sponsorship:

Applications for CE Units have been submitted and will be updated when approved.

Fees and Policies: 

Payment is due by credit card at registration. Refunds will be granted only up until registration closes at 12pm on April 13th. No refunds will be granted for errors on the participant's part (such as incorrect name/email upon registration, login failure, scheduling conflicts, etc.).

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you need to request an accommodation or ask a question about accessibility, please contact wcas.cece@bc.edu.

Additional offerings from the Woods College Office of Continuing Education and Community Engagement can be found on our website.