Attention to Self and Other: Narrative Medicine in Practice- Workshop

Attention to Self and Other: Narrative Medicine in Practice

April 17-19, 2026

This virtual workshop will provide a transformative introduction to the field of narrative medicine with a special focus on the ways the practice can foster development of critical skills of attention to oneself and others, including special guest Elizabeth Lanphier, PhD, MS, Clinical Ethicist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Ethics Center and Assistant Professor at both University of Cincinnati (UC) departments of Philosophy & Pediatrics. Professor Lanphier is also an Affiliated Faculty at UC Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Workshop Description & Objectives

Through philosophy, theater and embodiment, film, literature, and clinical reflections, this intensive workshop will offer rigorous skill-building in narrative competence and provide an intensive introductory experience to the methods and skills of narrative medicine. These practices are then applicable to unlimited clinical and non-clinical settings. In addition to plenary presentations by the founders and current faculty of Columbia Narrative Medicine, the schedule includes opportunities to engage with faculty and each other for interactive presentations, Q&A, and small group work empowering participants to learn effective techniques for attentive listening, adopting others’ perspectives, accurate representation, and reflective reasoning based on the foundational principles of Narrative Medicine.

Plenary presentations by faculty scrutinize sociological themes within given sets of stories and artwork, exploring concepts such as creativity, ethics, bearing witness, and empathy. The small groups rigorously practice the skills of close reading, creative writing, and responding to the writings of others. Close reading, prompted writing, and discussion are integral parts of the workshop.

Participants will gain access to our online resources prior to the start of the workshop where all information necessary to prepare for the weekend is provided, including literary texts, film, visual art, and seminar articles in the field of narrative medicine by leading educators.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, APRIL 17 (all times Eastern Daylight Time)

4:30-5:00pm Welcome Remarks, Rita Charon, MD, PhD

5:00-6:30pm Craig Irvine, PhD | Self and Other at the End: Intersubjectivity and Death

7:00-8:00pm Small Group Session

Saturday, APRIL 18

8:30-10:00am Maura Spiegel, PhD | My Story, Your Story: Relational Dynamics in Movies and Movie-Watching

11:00-12:30pm Small Group Session

2:00-3:30pm KEYNOTE: Eizabeth Lanphier, PhD, MS | The New Narrative Medicine: … in an AI World

4:00-5:30pm Small Group Session

Sunday, APRIL 19

8:30-10:00am Catherine Rogers MS, MFA | Embodying Self & Other: The Shared Lived Experience of Theatre

11:00-12:30pm Small Group Session

2:00-3:30pm Deepthiman Gowda, MD, MPH, MS | Authentic Intelligence: The Art of Witnessing the Self

3:30-4:00pm Weekend Wrap-Up and Reflection

TUITION RATES

• $1,000 for participants with income over $100,000/year ($950 with early bird discount)

*$850 for income between $45,000 and $100,000/year ($800 with early bird discount)

• $500 for income under $45,000/year ($450 with early bird discount)

PLEASE NOTE: Early Bird Registration of $50 off tuition is available through May 4th!

If you require an invoice, please contact us: narrativemedicine@cumc.columbia.edu