Sweet Success: An Interview with Larry Kramer
Physician Larry Kramer joined our Creative Lead, Damian Tarnopolsky, to discuss writing, medicine, and the connections between the two.
New Podcast from the Narrative-Based Medicine Lab
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Recent Articles
David Zitner's "Let's Make Patients the CEOs of Their Own Health Care" featured in Ottawa Citizen
Friday, May 30, 2025
Staying Human During Residency Training: Allan Peterkin Interviewed on Canadian Family Physician Podcast
Friday, May 30, 2025
Fall in the Foothills by Paula Holmes-Rodman
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Lab Offerings
Foundational Certificate in Narrative-Based Medicine (Certificate Program)
Registration now open for 2025 & 2026
Dive into the principles and practices of Narrative-Based Medicine in this unique certificate program. Join learners from across Canada and around the world.
Narrative Approaches to Resilience in Practice: Tools and Techniques for Well-Being
Four-Part Online Series Starts Oct. 23, 2025
Together, we’ll explore narrative approaches and resources for well-being through discussion, text reading, and reflective writing.
Illness Narratives and Patient Perspectives: Cultivating Deep Listening Skills
Two-Part Online Workshop: Nov. 5 & 12, 2025
The first step in better understanding stories of illness is to listen — and deep listening is an invaluable skill that can be developed with practice.
All Narrative-Based Medicine Offerings
Browse our workshops, multi-session series, and activities taking place throughout the year. Part of the Advanced Certificate, our stand-alone offerings can also be completed on their own.
Creative Work
“Waking on the Ground” by Rory O’Sullivan
Rory O'Sullivan, NBM Lab alum and family physician, publishes debut novella. Read More
Monica Kidd reads from “The Crane”
Monica Kidd reads an excerpt from her new novel The Crane (Breakwater, 2025). Read More
On Awe: Jeff Thompson offers a creative definition
Jeff Thompson shares one of his collaborators' definitions of “awe,” which prompts us to consider how we can experience moments of wonder, amazement, and grandeur (or awe) amidst our daily… Read More
Practitioners of the Hospital: New Blog by Karen Gold on Art of the Story
Karen Gold, curriculum lead at the NBM Lab, examines the hospital as a narrative space shaped by their physical design. Read More
Lisa Mitchell on Reimagining the Story of Aging
Lisa Mitchell is a Foundational Certificate alum and geriatrician in Geelong, Australia, passionate about stories that reframe aging. Read More
NBM Talks Podcast
A Conversation with Monica Kidd
July 21, 2025
Monica Kidd discusses the origins of her new novel “The Crane” and her work with CMAJ Encounters in this wide-ranging conversation
A Conversation with Jeff Thompson
July 8, 2025
Jeff Thompson shares how narrative medicine can help us build resilience and remain calm in moments of crisis.
A Conversation with Jordan Goodridge
June 11, 2025
Jordan Goodridge joins Sarah Kim to discuss how storytelling and the health humanities can foster empathy and more inclusive care.
A Conversation with Sarah Kim
May 30, 2025
Sarah Kim (Temerty Medicine Health Humanities Theme Lead) shares insights from her professional journey in this conversation with our program leads.
Narrative Happenings
“Silently dissenting to what they wanted me to become” by Sarah Kim
May 30, 2025
An original poem read by Sarah Kim.
“A life in spilt medications” by Muiris Houston
May 30, 2025
Muiris Houston reads a creative piece that began from a visual writing prompt facilitated by Damian Tarnopolsky in a section of the Foundational Certificate in Narrative-Based Medicine.
Staying Human During Residency Training: Allan Peterkin Interviewed on Canadian Family Physician Podcast
May 30, 2025
Allan Peterkin discusses the 25th anniversary edition of this essential manual for medical trainees.
David Zitner’s “Let’s Make Patients the CEOs of Their Own Health Care” featured in Ottawa Citizen
May 30, 2025
David Zitner presents a bold vision for the future of healthcare.