Embodiment and Attention: Narrative Medicine Fundamentals

Join us for a foundational exploration of narrative medicine hosted in-person in New York City! Embodiment and Attention: Narrative Medicine Fundamentals October 23-25, 2026 This in-person 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 keynote from Mark Kissler, MD, MS, and special guest David Leventhal, BA. Mark Kissler, MD, MS is an Assistant Professor of Hospital Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a graduate of Columbia University's Narrative Medicine program. A board-certified internist, he directs the Clinical Elective in Narrative Medicine for internal medicine residents and teaches health humanities at the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. David Leventhal, BA is a dancer, teaching artist, and Program Director of Dance for PD® at the Mark Morris Dance Group, a program serving more than 400 communities in 30 countries. He designed and currently teaches a pioneering dance-based elective course in the Narrative Medicine curriculum at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Workshop Description & Objectives Through philosophy, movement 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 plenary 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. 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, OCTOBER 23 (all times Eastern Daylight Time) 2:00-3:00pm Registration 3:00-4:30pm Narrative Medicine Fundamentals: That Which Unites Us | Rita Charon, MD, PhD 4:30-5:00pm Refreshment Break 5:00-6:00pm Small Group Seminars 6:30-8:00pm Reception Saturday, OCTOBER 24 8:30-9:00am Continental Breakfast 9:00-10:30am Keynote: The Rarest and Purest Form of Generosity | Mark Kissler, MD, MS 10:30-10:45am Refreshment Break 10:45-12:15pm Small Group Seminars 12:15-1:30pm Lunch | Special Interest Discussion Groups 1:30-3:00pm Attending to Movies: Film as Narrative Medicine | Maura Spiegel, PhD 3:00-3:15pm Refreshment Break 3:15-4:45pm Small Group Seminars 4:45pm Adjournment Sunday, OCTOBER 25 8:30-9:00am Continental Breakfast 9:00-10:30am The Body Tells the Story: Embodiment, Attention, and Physical Narrative | David Leventhal, BA 10:30-10:45am Refreshment Break 10:45am-12:15pm Small Group Seminars 12:15-1:15pm Lunch 1:15-2:45pm The Stories We Carry: Embodiment, Presence, and Care | Deepthiman Gowda, MD, MPH, MS 2:45-3:00pm Refreshment Break 3:00-4:00pm Weekend Wrap-Up & Reflection 4:00pm Adjournment 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 September 18. If you require an invoice, please contact Aly Tadros, Program Manager: [email protected]