Affecting Change Through Narrative Medicine: Strategic Healing and Trouble-Making

ABOUT

This workshop introduces participants to interdisciplinary perspectives on health, wellbeing, and health care through Narrative Medicine methods. We will explore how patients and health care providers who occupy different social locations (i.e., trans and intersex identities) narrate their experiences and how Narrative Medicine methodologies can address differences in experiences across the life course. Learners will explore patient- and provider-viewpoints in biomedical, medical humanities, and social and behavioral science fields. This workshop will prepare participants to critically examine different social, political, and philosophical perspectives in health and health care. Participants will learn how to create a narrative Op Ed, semi-structured poem, mini autoethnography, and critical reflection. Learners will explore how each of these three products can serve as a means to improve trans and intersex equity, both through internal reflection and external action.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe Narrative Medicine as a methodology and pedagogical tool for recognizing trans and intersex patient and provider experiences of health, wellbeing, embodiment, and care.
Identify distinct components of Narrative Medicine and how to integrate components of Narrative Medicine in education at different educational stages (undergraduate, graduate, and continuing professional education) and fields (medicine, nursing, physician assisting, etc.) to advance trans and intersex health equity.
Create either: an Op Ed, mini autoethnography, semi-structured poem, or critical reflection using Narrative Medicine methods.

Atticus Wolfe (he)

Meet the Presenter:

Dr. Atticus Wolfe is an assistant professor of public health at Agnes Scott College in Georgia, USA. His work is both qualitative and quantitative and uses a combination of survey, interview, and policy analysis methodologies to explore topics in workplace and educational experiences, health care quality, and psychosocial wellbeing. Currently, his research investigates the intersection of socio-cultural identity, institutional environments, and social status to inform health interventions, policy, and research.

Dr. Wolfe graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and in Urban & Community Health and obtained his Master’s in Public Health Administration & Policy from the University of Minnesota. He earned a graduate certificate in gender studies in 2022 and a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Wolfe is a board member in GLMA: Health Professionals for Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, and a leader in the Southern Sociological Society, Society for the Study of Social Problems, and UAID: United Against Inequities in Disease. He enjoys mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional health students.

Rave Reviews from Previous Conferences

I learned more from this conference than I did from most of my grad school classes. As a queer nonbinary provider working with primarily queer and gender nonconforming folks, it is so important to hear from others who share these identities in how to best support and affirm my clients. I also really appreciated the letter writing training as it has allowed me to help so many clients access affirming care. I look forward to attending this upcoming year and continuing to listen and learn!

Every presenter was amazing and brought a wealth of information and experience to each session. I continue to use what I learned in the conference and in Van’s other trainings as a jumping off point to do my own self work and to better support my clients and the community. I've gotten so much out of previous conferences and I can't wait to attend this year's!

Attending this conference was a game-changer for me. It took me from being informed to embracing an affirming lens and practice, and I couldn't be more grateful for the experience. If you're looking to level up your understanding and support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, trust me, the Do Something Identity(ies) conference is where it's at. You won't regret it!

As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and addiction specialist, I was blown away by the quality of content and selection offered during the conference. The robust selection of top-notch presenters was impressive and the topics covered a wide array of timely and relevant material. I would strongly encourage anyone working in any helping profession to attend this conference if at all possible. It is exactly this kind of content and presentation that is needed in order for us to heal ourselves and those around us.