New Year, More Narrative Medicine! Living Lovingly and a Call for Portland Storytellers

The Living Lovingly creative approach overlaps with the practice of narrative medicine. It uses a variety of verbal & written techniques, including poetic writing and storytelling (creative expression), as a tool to encourage self-reflection, creative expression and sharing of one’s narrative with others in a safe space, like the spaces we hold in our community of practice. The ultimate goal of the Living Lovingly workshops is to facilitate personal growth by fostering self-compassion and self-love through which love and compassion--for patients, caregivers, and professionals whose lives intersect in healthcare settings--may also grow and flourish.

Facilitator Bio Ali Esteghlalian is an adjunct professor at Portland Community College. His teaching interests include history and culture of Persia, the interplay of personal development and creativity as well as personal and organizational leadership topics. Prior to his current engagement as a coach and educator, he worked as a biotechnology scientist and international business leader for 20 years. He received his PhD from Oregon State University and an MBA from the University of California, San Diego. He currently resides in Beaverton, Oregon.

Participants in this workshop will be invited to read, write, and discuss. If you require an accommodation, please contact NWNMC at nwnmc.pdx@gmail.com.

Presented by Northwest Narrative Medicine Collaborative, the Interstitium is an evening of stories of illness, wellness and beyond and a space to share stories about our relationships to health--as patients, as caregivers, as clinicians, and as people.

This winter's theme is MIS/TRUST. We want to hear your story of trust, mistrust, or missed moments of trust, in health, illness, healing, and care. 

We are actively looking for submissions from individuals with a MIS/TRUST story to tell. We welcome ALL voices from ALL health roles and relationships, but especially aim to lift up the stories of people of color and others whose stories are heard less often in U.S. healthcare settings. No story is too small or mundane to share. If you experienced it, we want to hear it.  No prior performance experience is necessary - our team will work with you to prepare your story before the event! 

If you've got a story to tell, we would love to hear it!  Drop us a line with a brief summary of what you want to share and why. Please send your responses by Sunday, January  16. 

Performance details:
Friday Feb. 18 7pm
Currently, we are planning an in-person and on-campus at Lewis & Clark College, in Portland, OR.   Masks and proof of vaccination are required. This event may change to a digital format as COVID precautions dictate.