March 27, 2025 | 1 min read

“Breaking bad news”: a poem

By Miriam Colleran, MD, St. Brigids Hospice & Naas General Hospital, Ireland

I wrote this poem to explore sharing and receiving challenging news from the perspective of both clinician and patient. Reflecting on situations from multiple points of view enhances my ability to empathize.

October 27, 2025 | 1 min read

Confounding malaise

Lead with trauma-informed, dignity-first care: clarify the patient’s priorities and take the time to build a trusting relationship.

January 25, 2024 | 1 min read

At the scrub sink 

By Brandi Scully, MD, MS, Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital

During the pandemic, living away from my family was rough. I found spending brief periods engaged in an artistic pursuit, like writing poetry, to be healing. 

November 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Memory is a poor monument

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Healthcare professionals often witness challenging events, like the death of a patient. Writing and other artistic expression may help us process emotions. 

October 31, 2023 | 2 min read

It is 4 a.m.

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Burnout and emotional detachment are common in medical training. Being aware of this and truly listening to patients can help us renew our compassion.

August 9, 2023 | 2 min read

To Grandmother’s House We Go

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Religion and spirituality are part of the human experience. Sometimes, it can improve patient well-being to include these topics in our conversations.

April 1, 2025 | 1 min read

The PICC line 

By Miriam Colleran, MD, St. Brigids Hospice & Naas General Hospital, Ireland

As a clinician, writing this poem about my daughter’s PICC line was a reminder to focus on optimizing patients’ quality of life. While a medical device can alleviate a patient’s health problem, its presence is a constant reminder of illness.  

March 18, 2025 | 1 min read

“I wish for you”

By Kathleen Wenaden, MBBS, London, England

Witnessing suffering requires clinicians to intentionally practice self-care. One idea is to process challenging emotions by writing poetry.

March 7, 2024 | 1 min read

Co-opting feelings

By Bessie Liu, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After my cancer treatment, I felt pressured to turn my trauma into personal growth—when what I needed to do was grieve. This has allowed me to validate whatever feelings patients are experiencing.

March 22, 2023 | 2 min read

Beautiful Bodies

By Drea Burbank, MD, Putumayo, Colombia

I chose to leave healthcare to become a hot yoga instructor. Now I help heal patients in a different way.

July 15, 2025 | 1 min read

The other child 

Caring for my daughter with alveolar hemorrhaging syndrome, I watched my other child quietly shoulder confusion and worry. It reminded me that exceptional pediatric care must extend compassion to siblings whose lives are also upended. 

June 26, 2025 | 1 min read

Touching the wound with words and hands 

Our words and actions, rooted in kindness, are powerful tools for healing. We can use them to mend what is broken in patients, colleagues, and ourselves.   

May 15, 2025 | 1 min read

You don’t want to miss 

While vigilance in patient care is paramount, healthcare professionals must also look out for their own personal well-being. Cultivating these skills can ultimately improve the health of both patients and clinicians. 

April 21, 2025 | 3 min read

There’s been a suicide 

I wrote this poem recently after learning of a veteran’s death by suicide. This prompted me to reflect on my work as a psychiatrist, systemic failures, and the cyclical nature of grief. 

April 10, 2025 | 2 min read

Full disclosure  

I wrote this poem to highlight the profound impact of truly listening to patients. This may be especially critical when patients are suffering and the diagnosis remains a mystery.

May 22, 2023 | 5 min read

“Death is Never Neat”

By Rachel Coghlan, PhD, MPH, Center for Humanitarian Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health

There are many ways we support those journeying through illness and death. Our authentic caring often finds itself in this sometimes-messy space.

March 13, 2023 | 2 min read

Hands

By Drea Burbank, MD, Putumayo, Colombia

Before entering medical school, paramedic school taught me how to comfort patients with a calm and reassuring touch.  

March 6, 2025 | 2 min read

Invincible

By Roshni Beeharry, MBBS, University College London

Clinicians should be as person-centered as possible when caring for patients; seemingly small details, like a child's request for butterflies painted on her pink spinal jacket, can have a positive impact.

February 20, 2024 | 1 min read

Sickle cell does not have me

By Lily Kwak, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Creating art, like poetry, may help clinicians to process the complex emotions that can arise while caring for patients.

July 12, 2022 | 1 min read

When I Doubted my Patient

By Mengyi "Zed" Zha, MD, Othello, Washington

When patients are labeled as “poor historians,” it implies that they’re not to be trusted.

November 2, 2023 | 2 min read

“Life is short and Art is long”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

The Art of Medicine requires balancing science, care for others, and care for ourselves. Caring for ourselves is particularly important when we're not feeling well.

August 24, 2023 | 2 min read

it is internship year

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

To give excellent patient care, healthcare professionals must prioritize their own mental health and that of their trainees. This could include self-help strategies, like writing, along with professional support. 

June 18, 2025 | 1 min read

Lewy-body diary 

This poem describes the profound loss of autonomy experienced by patients with dementia. It’s a call to truly see the person grappling with the reality of their diminishing faculties. 

September 25, 2024 | 2 min read

Seasons of my mother 

By Lisa Young, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My mother had cancer while I was a pre-med student. In caring for her, I learned that it’s important for healthcare professionals to extend empathy not only to patients, but to their loved ones and caregivers as well. 

September 18, 2024 | 2 min read

“My cotton-wool-spotted coat” 

By Victoria Holm, medical student, California University of Science and Medicine

Along with disease-knowledge, effective care for patients always requires empathy and compassion. In patients with diabetes, it’s important to recognize the unique challenges they face and the impact the disease has on their lives. 

February 14, 2024 | 1 min read

A lesson on spider angiomata 

By Ridge Maxson, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

As a first-year medical student, I spent time with a patient who had alcohol-related liver disease. He taught me the importance of always knowing the patient’s personhood in addition to their medical condition. 

January 30, 2024 | 1 min read

Waiting room 

By Meher Kalkat, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Family members’ lives may be significantly impacted by their loved one’s illness. They need our comfort and support as well. 

January 22, 2024 | 1 min read

Letter to myself at age 12

By Ashley Minner Jones, PhD, MFA, Baltimore, MD

When I shared a work of my art at an exhibition, I was surprised how deeply people connected with it. This helped me have even more empathy and understanding for others. We all sometimes struggle with being human.

March 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Co-Reader

By Randy Barker, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, retired

When we, or someone close to us, have a disease that we see in our patients, it’s an opportunity to more deeply understand the illness experience.  

February 13, 2023 | 3 min read

“Powershield”

By Drea Burbank, MD, Putumayo, Colombia

“Powershield:” a poem about power and responsibility.