Creative Writing Commons^™

The Hidden Scars Of Healing, Amanda Almeida

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A photograph collection of Mark's unique road to healing, and a medical narrative.

The Essence Of Resilience, Evelyn Echevarria Cruz

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No abstract provided.

Know Your Limits: The Story Of How I Learned To Listen To My Body, Elena Silverstein

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No abstract provided.

The Healing Power Of A Welcomed Hug, Tara Mckenna

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No abstract provided.

Putting Myself First, Nicholas E. Doberstein

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No abstract provided.

The Circle Of Life And Care, Isabel M. Vera Machado

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As a first-year medical student on the osteopathic path, my art is a reflection of my journey to balance creativity and the principles of holistic care. Osteopathic medicine’s focus on treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—aligns closely with my approach to art, which aims to capture the connections between humanity, healing, and empathy.

Through my work, I explore themes of care, connection, and the values I hope to uphold as a future physician. Whether it’s through symbolic imagery or simple, heartfelt compositions, my art reflects the importance of compassion and the human connection in both medicine and life.

For …

An Oath Fulfilled, Fatima Bawaney

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This poem explores the sacred oath of healing as it relates to a physician-patient relationship.

Cultural And Religious Perspectives On Suicide And Healing, Arielle Friedman

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This essay is built off of a paper I wrote in a college global health course on culture and mental illness. I have always been fascinated by cultural interpretations of illness & believe that as a future physician, it is my responsibility to educate myself and others on the complex interplay between religious ideologies & recognition/management of biological disease in order to provide appropriate patient-centered care.

Embracing The Sacred Oath Of Healing: Lessons From When Breath Becomes Air, Rudayna S. Tabbara

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This essay explores how When Breath Becomes Air embodies the Sacred Oath of Healing through Paul Kalanithi’s journey as a physician and a patient.

A Child’S Oath, Nozimakhon K. Omonullaeva

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"A Child's Oath" reflects the transformative journey of a young girl shaped by her personal experiences with healthcare inequities, both in her home country of Uzbekistan and in the United States. This piece explores the emotional impact of these experiences and how they inspired a lifelong commitment to healing and serving underserved communities. It is a testament to the resilience born from hardship and the sacred promise to bring compassion and equity to medicine.

Helping As A Student, Dayna R. Smerina

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Being a medical student can sometimes feel powerless. However, there are special ways that students can make an impact on their patient's lives.

The Glacier, Emily Rodman

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The Glacier discovers the inner workings of a medical student's mind as she devotes years of her life to eventually partake in the "sacred oath of healing." She knows that these years of medical training - filled with strife and joy alike - will eventually lead her to fulfill the career of her dreams, serving others.

The Sacred Healing Of A Little Warrior, Adrianna M. Zambrano

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As a hopeful pediatrician, I find my sacred oath of healing to be inspired by the radiant positivity and resilience of children. My goddaughter was not even three years old when she had her first major surgery, and I was so worried about her future recovery. Then, she was just a few hours post-op and already cracking a smile. Her innocence and purity extended to the point where she made sure that she wasn't the only one being taken care of; after all, her "baby" Julie needed to be taken care of, too.

The Heart Of Healing, Madison Prieto

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No abstract provided.

Nourishing The Body, Nurturing The Soul, Vidhi Raval

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No abstract provided.

Frankenstein Colorized, Marianne Koleng

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One of my favorite novel's growing up was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I see Frankenstein's desire to create a "Monster" as a way to grasp at the fundamental human drive for connection, and healing through connection. In this piece, I attempt to bring that inner yearning for fundamental connection to paper.

Beyond Myself - Healing Through Pain, Marianne Koleng

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In this piece I reflect on the importance of setbacks, non-linear growth, injuries, and pain and their ability to provide self-reflection, a platform for growth, and an crucial reminder of the fragility of life. I have often been self-critical for not following a "traditional" path in life, and reflecting on my experiences allows me to show myself grace and hopefully may influence others to do so as well.

The Orchard Of Golden Apples, Ambika Kapil, Brendan Ginsberg

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This poem was written collaboratively by Ambika Kapil and Brendan Ginsberg, reflecting our shared journey through the challenges and rewards of medical school. The inspiration for this piece comes from a pivotal time in Ambika's journey, when she found herself balancing the demands of medical education with personal struggles. During this period, she often turned to the lectures and guidance of various faculty members, including Dr. Lori Dribin, whose wisdom and support provided a sense of stability and hope. The guidance of these mentors became a beacon, helping Ambika navigate through uncertainty.

As many students face an array of challenges …

The Sacrifices Of Being Away, Claudia Pedreira

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No abstract provided.

Remedios De Abuela: Sacred Traditions Of Healing, Madeline R. Sardinas

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Remedios de Abuela is a narrative-style essay reflecting on the Cuban remedies and family caregiving practices that shaped my journey into medicine. From the warmth of sopa de pollo to the soothing ritual of Vicks VapoRub, these traditions embody the sacred oath of healing.

Through personal stories, including caring for my grandfather with diabetes, this essay explores the intersection of family, culture, and the art of medicine. It is a tribute to my grandparents and a testament to the enduring power of traditions and the human connection at the heart of the healing profession.

Death Is Not The End, Marianne Koleng

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In this piece, Death is Not the End, the juxtaposition of maintaining a connection with those lost, while simultaneously adjusting to life without them is explored. The use of mixed media to convey a spectrum of emotions surrounding death along with the use of both a skeleton, to represent death, and "normal" hands and body contours to represent life, highlight the importance that proper healing play in both mourning and celebrating life.

A Symphony Of Struggle: The Tender Connection Between Bad Health And Poverty, Jashkumar Choudhari

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In the journey of crafting this essay, I sought to explore the profound connection between bad health and poverty, recognizing how these two facets of human existence intricately interlace, influencing and shaping one another in ways both profound and far-reaching. The process of delving into this theme was like unraveling a multi-layered tapestry, each thread revealing a new perspective on the unbreakable bond that exists between these seemingly distinct aspects of life.

Through the creative process, I aimed to capture the emotional resonance of this theme, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding in the reader. The imagery of haunting …

The Web Of Life - Volume 8

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No abstract provided.

From The Dean

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From The Editor

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Timeless Review Of Into The Woods And The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, Anjali Shah

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This essay is a review of the musical, Into the Woods, and the book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This personal reflection is an overview of how both works of art navigate the theme of "the web of life."

Burnout, Amanda Almeida

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I loved writing since I was 12. I learned putting words on paper solidifies the human experience, whether it be through poetry, music, stories, or simply free-writing one's thoughts. Attending medical school has broadened my experience with other realities to an unexpected degree. I realize that wanting to save lives through healthcare comes at a great cost to the person pursuing a career in medicine. Writing about the intensity of medical school helped me cope and I hope that my future patients will come to understand, sometimes, the only way out is through, and coping by using the things we …

Turning The Bend: A Poem For My Mother And Those Grieving Loved Ones, Leah Simon

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No abstract provided.

From Didactic To Healing Hands, Jashkumar Choudhari

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As the creator of the poem "From Didactic to Healing Hands," I am delighted to share my perspective on the inspiration and intent behind this piece.

The poem serves as a heartfelt exploration of the evolution that occurs as we transition from the theoretical world of classrooms and lectures to the practical, human-centered realm of healthcare. It's a journey that demands not only the accumulation of knowledge but the nurturing of empathy, compassion, and the courage to step into the role of healing with confidence.

I wanted to convey the interconnectedness of science and the art of medicine, emphasizing that …

Our Web, Alia Abdullah

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Alia would like to acknowledge Ingmar Bergman's film, Through a Glass Darkly.