Overview

As health professionals, many of us carry stories that yearn to be told: stories that reflect the complexity of our work, the humanity of our patients, and the evolution of our own identities.

Whether you’re crafting a personal essay, work of short fiction, or reflective narrative, this workshop is designed to help you move from a raw draft to a polished piece and take you through the essential steps towards getting it published.

Structured around peer feedback, guided writing exercises, and practical editorial insight, this workshop supports participants in refining their craft while negotiating the ethical and emotional terrain of writing from clinical experience. Built around the journey of a single piece of writing by participants, the first session focuses on writing and revision, exploring themes central to narrative-based medicine and the art of authentic storytelling. The second session shifts to editing and publishing, offering concrete strategies for submitting to journals, contests, and self-publishing with step-by-step advice on navigating the editorial process — including a Q&A with a guest editor.

Whether you’re new to creative writing or already have some experience, join us to deepen your practice, connect with a community of clinician-writers, and take the next step in your storytelling journey.

This workshop is your launchpad for developing your writing style and voice, and sharing your work with the world.

Program Instructor

Rory O’Sullivan MD, CCFP (EM)

Rory O’Sullivan is a family doctor who practices comprehensive family medicine at the Garrison Creek Clinic in Toronto. In his 12 years in practice, Rory has worked in emergency rooms and hospitals across several provinces and served for nearly 3 years as the community physician for the Poplar Hill First Nation in Northwestern Ontario.

He is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he teaches reflective practice as part of the “Portfolio” course for undergraduate medical students, and is currently enrolled in the NBM Lab’s Advanced Certificate.

His written work has been published in medical journals and magazines including The Intima, Pulse, and Canadian Family Physician. He is a past recipient of the CFPC Mimi Divinsky Award for history and narrative in family medicine, and a long-listed finalist for the International Amy MacRae Award for memoir. His latest publication Waking on the Ground is a novella written under the pen name “Eamon Rourke,” available on Kobo and Kindle platforms.

Target Audience

Health professionals who have done some creative and/or reflective writing work, thinking about their next project, or looking to share their work further afield and through publishing opportunities.

Session Dates & Times

Sessions will take place online during the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm ET
• Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm ET

Fee

The program fee is $525 CAD plus 13% HST.

All amounts are in Canadian Dollars (CAD $) and are subject to 13% HST.

Cancellation

Cancellations will be accepted until January 14, 2026 and are subject to a processing fee of $60 plus applicable taxes. Refunds will not be processed after this date.

Requests for cancellation must be made in writing to cpd.programs@utoronto.ca .

Registrations are not transferable.

The University of Toronto reserves the right to cancel events. Registrants will be notified at the earliest possible date in the event of a cancellation. Registration fees for events cancelled by the University will be refunded; however, the University will not be liable for any loss, damages or other expenses that such cancellations may cause.

Accreditation

Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME), a subcommittee of the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS). This standard allows CPD to review and assess educational activities based on the criteria established by The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) has established agreements with each of the American Medical Association (AMA), and the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) where activities approved for Royal College MOC Credits are eligible for conversion to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and UEMS-EACCME European CME Credit (ECMEC®) credits, respectively.