Narrative Medicine Is Focus Of Two-Day Event At Columbia Health Sciences

Noted author Abraham Verghese among featured speakers WHAT: The Program in Narrative Medicine and the Center for the Study of Science and Religion at Columbia University is holding a two-day colloquium to explore the emerging field of narrative medicine—the art and science of adopting narrative and literary techniques to enhance the practice of medicine. The colloquium will bring together medical practitioners, writers, literary scholars, and experts in narratology, autobiographical studies, and trauma studies to examine how narrative and literary techniques can be incorporated into day-to-day medical training and practice. Narrative medicine has been used to promote greater accuracy and effectiveness in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and to enhance empathy and reflection among medical practitioners. Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons is at the forefront of this movement, leading the way in 1996 by establishing one of the first narrative medicine programs in American medical education.

WHEN & Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. WHERE: Kellogg Conference Center, International Affairs Building, 15th floor 420 W. 118th St., bet. Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive

WHO: Speakers include:

*Dr. Abraham Verghese, professor of medicine at the University of Texas and author of national bestsellers “My Own Country” and “The Tennis Partner”

*Dr. Rita Charon, professor of clinical medicine and director of the Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University

A number of noted scholars in the arts and humanities will also speak at the colloqium, representing both national and international institutes of learning, including Cornell University, Louisiana State University, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, University of Arkansas, the University of Virginia, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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Abraham Verghese, Columbia University, Cornell University, International Affairs Building, Louisiana State University