Rita Charon

Rita Charon (cropped)

Rita Charon is a physician, literary scholar, and the founder of the field of narrative medicine. She is a Professor of Clinical Medicine and the Executive Director of the Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University.

Early Life and Education

Rita Charon was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at Fordham University and earned her MD from Harvard Medical School. She later obtained a PhD in English literature from Columbia University.

Career

Charon began her career as a primary care physician. Her interest in the stories of her patients led her to pursue further studies in literature. She joined the faculty at Columbia University, where she developed the field of narrative medicine, which integrates literary theory and clinical practice.

Narrative Medicine

Narrative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that emphasizes the importance of patient stories in clinical practice. It aims to improve the quality of care by training healthcare professionals to listen to and interpret patients' narratives. Charon's work in this field has been influential in medical education and practice.

Publications

Rita Charon has authored several books and numerous articles on narrative medicine. Some of her notable works include:

• Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness
• The Principles and Practice of Narrative Medicine

Awards and Honors

Charon has received numerous awards for her contributions to medicine and literature, including the American College of Physicians' Nicholas E. Davies Memorial Scholar Award for Scholarly Activities in the Humanities and History of Medicine.

Personal Life

Rita Charon resides in New York City. She continues to practice medicine and teach at Columbia University.

See Also

• Narrative medicine
• Columbia University
• Clinical Medicine