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Mission Statement:
Narrative Medicine fortifies clinical practice with the narrative competence to recognize, absorb, metabolize, interpret, and be moved by the stories of illness. Through narrative training, the Program in Narrative Medicine helps doctors, nurses, social workers, and therapists to improve the effectiveness of care by developing the capacity for attention, reflection, representation, and affiliation with patients and colleagues. Our research and outreach missions are conceptualizing, evaluating, and spear-heading these ideas and practices nationally and internationally. |
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Literature at Work: The Robert Braham Seminar Lunchtime discussions of literature
What we do: The group meets from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., the first and third Wednesday of each month in the division conference room, General Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital, 9th floor, East Wing, Room 105 (PH9E-105). History Years ago, a medical chief resident suggested that we start a medical center reading group. What started as a handful of residents reading a short story once a month has developed into a graduate-level literature seminar that meets twice a month for the serious study of literature. Pediatricians, nurses, internists, social workers, medical students, hospital administrators, pathologists, dentists, informatics faculty, psychiatrists and graduate students in English are some of the participants in Literature at Work. Readings: Diary of a bad year: by J.M. Coetzee June 4, 2008 Read till chapter 19.
The Sorrows of an American: A Novel by Siri Hustvedt May 7, 2008 Read half of the novel May 21, 2008 finish novel Past Readings: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje April 16, 2008-Please finish Tin Drum by Gunther Grass January 2, 2008 Book 1 January 16, 2008 Book 2 February 6, 2008 Book 3 October 3 and 17, 2007 Daniel Deronda by George Eliot. November 21, 2007 Final Session Daniel Deronda by George Eliot. December 5 and 19, 2007 Peeling the Onion by Gunther Grass
Dr. Robert Braham 
Our Literature at Work discussion group has been renamed to honor Dr. Robert Braham, physician, Director of the Primary Care Residency Program, and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University. Bob Braham passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 12th, 2002. Dr. Braham was a powerful force in American medicine. He led the development of primary care medicine training at Cornell University/New York Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. His commitment to equitable health insurance for all Americans was legendary. Working within New York politics, internal medicine professional societies, and national advocacy groups, he moved us all the closer to universal health coverage and to justice for the sick. Dr. Braham was also a core member of the Literature at Work discussion group, attending the meetings as often as his busy work schedule allowed, and devoting himself to careful consideration of the texts. During our study of Keats this summer, he brought his wife Susanne and his son Howard to one of the sessions, an example of his commitment to literature as something that had a real connection to his relationships and his work. He and Susanne often attended Narrative Medicine readings together, engaging in discussions with authors such as poet Linda Bierds and continuing the discussion about literature with colleagues in the General Medicine offices and hallways. He contributed his medical knowledge to discussions of literature but also drew on his deep and detailed humanities background in the study of literature and life. After a discussion of Hawthorne's short story "Rappaccini's Daughter," in which he had identified a reference to The Prince, he brought a copy of The Prince from the shelf in his office and pointed out the particular passage from Machiavelli's discussion of how it is better for a prince to be feared than loved. This gesture is representative of his knowledge and generosity. With his engagement and curiosity, his tact and interest, Bob forged strong bonds with students, colleagues and friends alike, and is admired and respected by all who have known him and benefited from his gifts.
Program in Narrative Medicine |
