The Stanford Storytelling & Medicine Summer Scholar Program is an intensive training experience for students preparing for careers in medicine, medical humanities research, and health professions who want to strengthen their ability to communicate complex scientific and clinical jargon with precision, empathy, and impact.
Over two or eight weeks, scholars will:
Participate in workshops and seminars focused on science communication, narrative medicine, public-facing storytelling, and publishing.
Learn directly from physicians and clinician-scholars who integrate creative practice into their clinical and research work.
Develop a final mentored project across forms such as nonfiction, podcasting, poetry, visual narrative, or dance, that demonstrates clear thought, ethical reflection, and effective translation of medical knowledge. Work with our unique faculty: Laurel Braitman PhD, What Looks Like Bravery, Danielle Ofri MD, What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine, Lucy Kalanithi MD, When Breath Becomes Air, and many more!
The program is designed for students who see communication as foundational to good medicine: essential for patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, public trust, and leadership in healthcare.
For a need-based scholarship, apply by February 14, 2026. Scholarship applications are considered on a rolling basis as long as funds are available. Applications are due March 1, 2026. FAQ
Learn how previous scholars have applied this training in medical and academic settings. Testimonials can be found on our website. View profiles of our past scholars. Join an upcoming information session: Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026 @ 6PM PST | Join us!
Questions? Email: Program Manager, Christy Hartman, hartman7@stanford.edu
