While vascular surgery is a highly technical field, M.S. in Narrative Medicine alum Ezra Schwartz ('18SPS) believes narrative and compassionate, personalized patient relationships outside the operating room are also essential parts of the practice. For Schwartz, a medical resident at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, the patient-physician relationship, or “bedside manner,” begins with listening. It’s about efficiently connecting with patients and appreciating their narratives to better understand what they need and how they are thinking about their health care while under the time constraints of surgical practices.
“Storytelling is fundamental to both comprehension and communication in medicine,” Schwartz explains. “It helps contextualize complex medical systems and enhances our ability to engage with patients meaningfully.”
The M.S. in Narrative Medicine curriculum provided Schwartz with a structured way to explore the connections between art, patient care, and medical education.
The Journey to the Program
Growing up in Montreal, Schwartz was an avid reader and visual artist who saw stories as both a tool for understanding and a means of connection. While studying science and medicine, he began to consider storytelling as an essential tool for understanding complex situations that can be applied in the medical field.
This perspective led him in 2017 to Columbia University’s M.S. in Narrative Medicine program, which is designed to integrate the humanities into medical practice.
“Doctors are not just scientists and practitioners; they are also educators and storytellers,” Schwartz says.
The Academic Experience of Narrative Medicine
During his time at Columbia, Schwartz took advantage of the interdisciplinary curriculum, which included literature, philosophy, and close-observation workshops. By studying the many facets of the patient-physician dynamic, Schwartz developed a well-rounded understanding of this relationship with narrative medicine at its center.
The program’s seminar-based structure emphasizes discussion, encouraging students to analyze and defend their ideas while engaging with diverse perspectives. “Everything was built around shared reflection and dialogue,” Schwartz says. “It wasn’t just about absorbing knowledge but about actively participating in a community of thought.”
Experiential learning opportunities further emphasized the importance of listening, reflection, and critical thinking for Schwartz. He recalls workshops at the Frick Museum in New York City as pivotal experiences. These sessions involved close observation of art, teaching participants to broaden their observational abilities, unpack immediate biases, and hone their attention to detail.
“Medicine often demands quick decisions, but the ability to pause, reflect, and truly see someone is invaluable,” Schwartz notes. “These workshops were instrumental in helping me develop a more nuanced approach to patient interactions. We honed our abilities to observe and reflect in a comfortable, nonclinical setting so that we could later translate these skills to clinical environments, where they can be equally valuable.”
Applying Narrative Medicine Techniques to Vascular Medicine
The program also highlighted the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological dimensions of patient care, which Schwartz finds highly relevant to his practice.
“Vascular surgery operates in a space where, at times, a cure is not achievable,” Schwartz explains. “In these cases, the focus is on prolonging life and improving functional outcomes. Understanding a patient’s broader narrative is critical to providing care that aligns with their values and circumstances.”
The nature of the vascular specialty requires complex procedures, long-term patient relationships, and nuanced management of chronic conditions. This requires difficult conversations with patients about quality of life and treatment goals.
Schwartz credits the curriculum with equipping him to better navigate these discussions. Whether counseling a patient on lifestyle changes or discussing the realities of a diagnosis, Schwartz employs techniques learned during his time at Columbia to foster trust and communication.
Supplementing Clinical Work with the Narrative Medicine Education
As he continues his residency and professional journey, Schwartz hopes to keep contributing to the growing acceptance of the humanities in medical education, especially in surgical fields.
As an editor for the Audible Bleeding podcast, he’s produced a narrative-focused series, inviting experts such as his former teacher and founder of the flagship Narrative Medicine program Dr. Rita Charon to discuss the intersections of story and medicine. Schwartz has also collaborated with museums to host his own close-observation workshops for medical students. His work reflects his belief that narrative medicine is a vital component of modern health care.
“Programs like Columbia’s are at the forefront of integrating humanities into medical education,” he says. “The Narrative Medicine program fundamentally changed the way I see and practice medicine. It provided me with the tools to navigate the complexities of patient care with greater empathy, precision, and understanding."
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Narrative Medicine program prepares health professionals, writers, and scholars to apply the skills and values of narrative understanding to improve outcomes for both patients and caregivers. It offers a rigorous and in-depth study of close reading of creative texts, illness and disability narratives, narrative ethics, philosophy, creative writing, and other perspectives.
The fall 2025 application deadline for the program is June 1. The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment. Learn more here.
