Reves Center for International Studies Events

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Natasha Sriraman, M.D., Why Stories Matter: Understanding Narrative Medicine

Stories heal. Not just the writing of the stories or the reading of the stories, but also stories told to another person who serves as a deep listener. Prof. Rita Charon (Columbia U Med School) holds not only an M.D. but also a doctorate in literature. Charon learned that medical students had become de-sensitized to patients and that medical outcomes could be improved by teaching students the New Criticism principles of close reading. Medical students could learn to read their patients by applying these principles. They could also become deep listeners and reflective practitioners by learning to write.

"What you are doing for your students at William & Mary and Eastern Virginia Medical School is awesome. I am impressed and proud that the work of Narrative Medicine has spawned this great work."

Rita Charon, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center Executive Director, Program in Narrative Medicine Columbia University

Contact

[[jmbrax, Dr. Joanne M. Braxton]], Professor of English and Africana Studies [[btsher, Dr. Bev Sher]], Professor of Biology and pre-med advisor [[wfglov, Dr. Chon Glover]], Chief Diversity Officer