EVENTS
Why Doctors Write is available for virtual screening events in institutional settings. Upcoming and past events include:
2021
May 2021 • St. George’s University School of Medicine • Overlook Medical Humanities
January 2021 • Bellevue Literary Review • BLR20 Festival Film and Conversation
February 2021 • SUNY Downstate Health Sciences • Psychiatry Grand Rounds
2020
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) with the National Academies of Science Engineering Medicine (NASEM) • Weaving Humanities and Arts into the Fabric of Medicine: A Virtual Workshop & Film Discussion
→ Watch recordingSt. Luke's International University, Tokyo • 9th International Health Humanities Conference
Penn State Abington • Health Humanities Symposium
Florida State University College of Medicine
Gold Foundation • Human InSight Webinar
→ Watch recordingZucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell
Thomas Jefferson University Kimmel College of Medicine • Jefferson Humanities Forum
Stanford School of Medicine • The Medicine & the Muse Virtual Symposium
2019 & earlier (previews)
Schmidt College of Medicine Florida Atlantic University
Gold Foundation • 2019 Gold Humanism Summit
Harvard Medical School • 8th Annual Hippocrates Symposium on Poetry and Medicine
“Why Doctors Write superbly demonstrates the value creative writing holds for healthcare providers. After the film presentation and workshop, several of my students reached out to express just how valuable the experience was—as one student noted, “The short film and post-discussion were so helpful… This was my first time putting this particular experience on paper I hadn’t realized how deeply that moment in medicine had affected my mental state. I’m so glad I was able to attend.”
HOST A SCREENING
Event formats have included film screening, panel discussion, writing prompts, and even “healthcare” story slams. The film has been used to kick off a symposium or a hospital rounds. Panels both live and virtual via Zoom, have featured the film director, physician-writers from the film, and faculty and student writers from the host institution. Event options include:
One Hour Format
Introduction of film (5-10 minutes)
Screening of full-length film (35 minutes), condensed version (15 minutes), or a segment (10minutes)
Panel Discussion/Q&A with moderator
(20 or 30 mins)
One and Half-Hour Format
Introduction of film (5-10 minutes)
Screening of full-length film (35 minutes), condensed version(15 minutes), or a segment (10 minutes)
Panel Discussion/Q&A with moderator (20 or 30 minutes)
Break (20 minutes)
Writing Prompt, or Story Slam
Planning and Social Media Toolkit
Prior to each event the Why Doctors Write team works with the host venue to customize the format of a film screening. In addition, the venue will receive a digital toolkit of promotional materials to help publicize the event and engage attendees. Honoraria and expenses to be determined.
FILM FESTIVALS
The 23rd UNAFF, one of the oldest documentary film festivals in the US, now online. UNAFF’s 11-day festival kicks off on October 15th, featuring 60 documentaries dealing with healthcare, climate change, the refugee crisis, women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ issues, racism, and more. This year’s theme is “The Power of Empathy,” emphasizing our readiness to care about other people’s emotional experiences. Learn more here.
“Why Doctors Write brilliantly captures the transformative and healing power writing and the other arts can have when physicians creatively express the emotions they have for so long buried. It is a must-see for anyone in the healthcare field, anyone thinking of pursuing a career in healthcare, or for anyone interested in learning more about what happens when their doctor’s office door closes for the day. ”