The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Katz) recently welcomed New York Times bestselling author Chris Whitaker for Life in Medicine, a speaker series that explores the profound intersection of healthcare and storytelling, hosted by the Narrative Medicine program. 

Speaking to an audience of medical students, faculty, and guests, Whitaker shared how a traumatic experience in his early adulthood ultimately sparked his passion for writing, an outlet that helped him process and heal. 

A Personal Story of Trauma, Healing, and Expression 
Whitaker recounted an attack he suffered as a young adult, an event that left him physically injured and emotionally shaken. While those around him encouraged him to “keep going” and stay strong, he realized in hindsight that no one asked about his emotional or mental well-being. 

It wasn’t until he wandered into the self-help section of a library and found a book on using writing to manage trauma that he discovered a path forward. 

“Everyone was focused on my physical injuries,” he told the students. “But the part of me that needed the most care was the part no one could see.” 

This recognition of the often-overlooked emotional dimension of healing shaped his career as a writer and became a powerful message for future physicians: Caring for the whole patient. 

Following his talk, students engaged Whitaker in a thoughtful Q&A session.