Natalia Romano Spica, MD, MSc

Natalia Romano Spica, MD, MSc is a lecturer with Columbia University's Narrative Medicine program. Natalia graduated from Columbia University with a double degree in Biological Sciences and Comparative Literature and later with a Master's in Narrative Medicine. She holds an MD from Drexel University College of Medicine, completing her medical education at both the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh campuses. She is currently a resident physician at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

Her research has focused on the patient and caregiver experiences, especially in the setting of complex medical illnesses as seen after (neuro)ICU hospitalization, recovery after stroke and, more recently, after COVID-19. Her other research interests include integration of social justice and humanities in medical education, defining professionalism in the healthcare space, and fostering community building through narrative medicine. As part of Columbia Narrative Medicine, Natalia has been involved in building and facilitating the ongoing series of the live Narrative Medicine Virtual Group Sessions. in both English and Italian.  

Natalia is an active member of the ballroom dance community, an avid collector of maps, and an eager baker of blueberry ricotta cake and banana breads. While her roots are in Italy and Russia, she calls many places home, including our beloved New York City.