Nafisa Hussein, in her second-to-last semester of the M.S. in Narrative Medicine (NMED) program at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS), approaches her role as vice president of External Affairs in the SPS Student Government (SPSSG) with one core belief: “If people feel they can come to you for support, you will always be successful.”
With years of experience in administration, Hussein is passionate about combining her love for helping others with her enthusiasm for storytelling and writing. “I had never found a master’s degree program that interested me, but when I saw the Narrative Medicine program at Columbia, I thought to myself, ‘This program was made for me,’” she shares.
In her student government role, Nafisa is committed to fostering connections across the SPS degree programs and the Columbia community at large. She understands that genuine leadership is rooted in open communication. “A mentor of mine once said, ‘You never know what you’re going to get out of a conversation,’ and that philosophy has guided my approach to both my academic and professional life,” she explains.
Hussein believes that empathy is at the heart of every successful interaction, whether it’s a brief conversation with a classmate or a deeper dialogue with a community member. These exchanges often lead to meaningful connections, both personally and professionally.
In addition to her work with SPSSG, Nafisa serves as chair of the Community Engagement Committee, where she continues to focus on empathy-driven outreach. Her role on the committee allows her to engage with the local community, bringing her leadership skills full circle. “Being able to give back to the community is one of the most rewarding parts of my time here,” she shares. Through these efforts, she hopes to inspire others to adopt the same compassionate mindset in their professional lives.
As she prepares for the next step in her career, Hussein is confident that her time at Columbia has shaped her into the kind of leader she aspires to be. “Throughout my life, I have learned and experienced firsthand how some voices are silenced, and it is my goal to do everything I can to change that. Knowing I have created opportunities for people to feel valued and heard is rewarding to me.” The lessons she has learned about community through SPSSG are ones she will carry with her always.
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Narrative Medicine 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 M.S. in Narrative Medicine program is June 1. The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment. Learn more about the program here.
