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
"You Are My Son" by Daniel Gorman
Daniel Gorman explores parenting and emotional growth in a pair of reflective essays. Read More
Chris Kinchlea Advocates for Change and Shares Experiences on Daniel’s Disease Blog
Foundational Certificate alum Chris Kinchlea uses narrative to promote change and advocate for patients with rare auto-inflammatory diseases Read More
"The Ends of the Earth... Ever Been There?" by Cory Ingram
Cory Ingram takes readers through a pilgrimage ritual representative of his medical career. Read More
Conversion: On Reading Heaney’s “Mid-Term Break” by Conor Mc Donnell
Foundational Certificate alum Conor Mc Donnell examines the themes of grief and memory in Seamus Heaney's poem. Read More
Leanne Toshiko Simpson reads from “Never Been Better”
Leanne Toshiko Simpson reads an excerpt from her new novel Never Been Better published by HarperCollins in 2024. Read More
NBM Talks Podcast
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.
A Conversation with Nick Pimlott
May 30, 2025
Nick Pimlott discusses his experiences as a family doctor and second career as a writer.
A Conversation with Leanne Toshiko Simpson
May 30, 2025
Leanne Toshiko Simpson shares her thoughts on the connections between her fiction writing and her path in the health humanities.
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.