Natalia Romano Spica

Natalia Romano Spica, MSc is a lecturer with Columbia University's Narrative Medicine program. Natalia graduated from Columbia University in 2017 with a double degree in Biological Sciences and Comparative Literature, and in 2019 with a Master's in Narrative Medicine. She is currently a medical student in Pittsburgh and a qualitative researcher focusing on the patient and caregiver experience in the settings of neuro-critical care, 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 an 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 (which she greatly enjoys introducing to visitors and new residents, whether while volunteering at the New York City Marathon or at any new opportunity to share her favorite bakeries and Met Museum spots).