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Medical Humanities Program ​

Narrative Medicine & Public Health​
AUGUST 2 - 30, 2026
Sundays, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Narrative Medicine: an Investigation of Medical Humanities (11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT)
Public Health: Disease Beyond the Individual (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT)
CLOSED

FEATURING STUDENT's work

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Neuropathy​

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DIABETES

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POTTY TRAiN

Medical Humanities program

The Medical Humanities program, taught by IYRC Teaching Fellows from Columbia University, is a student-run, virtual summer program that delves into the humanistic aspects of medicine. Through synchronous and asynchronous programming, high school students will integrate data and science with patient-centered care. 

The Narrative Medicine and Public Health programs will be interwoven, but can be done together or independently. Activities include:
  • Reading poetry and literature focusing on individual experiences with medicine
  • Watch and discuss movies relating to patient care
  • Learn about diagnostic processes and how to “think like a doctor”
  • Attend an optional in person day with participants of other IYRC-run programs
  • Network and connect with like-minded students and professors at the forefront of their fields
  • Create a patient narrative
  • Research and present potential solutions to public health issues
  • Learn the basics of data analysis through R
    • and so much more!

The main topics of this program are rare diseases, stroke, depression, and cancer, with the opportunity to write about conditions that interest the student.



The Narrative Medicine program focuses on the humanistic aspect of medicine. Students will pair in-depth knowledge of the study of diseases with the patient’s experience through art, music, and literature. Throughout the summer, students learn how to engage with patients and take a history, navigate ethical discussions, and bring together raw data and the humanities. Medicine is both an art and a science; through case-based discussions students will understand the importance of patient narratives in medicine, develop communication skills, and practice writing reflective pieces. Students will also complete a final project in which they develop their own patient narrative and learn about the importance of medical humanities. 

The Public Health session focuses on the sociological, anthropological, and political aspects of health. Students will discuss health systems, social determinants of health, health financing, and other aspects of public health. Throughout the summer, students will read research papers, listen to speakers at the forefront of their fields, and develop a project on a public issue of their choice with the opportunity to present at the IYRC in the fall. Through evidence- and observational-based studies, students will develop the skills necessary to analyze health issues from a macroscopic lens, and will learn how to solve problems by focusing on systemic solutions to medical problems.

MEDICAL HUMANITIES


Applications close May 15th.
​One Part: $150
Both Parts: $250

Partial Financial Aid is available. Details will be provided in acceptance emails.

Program coordinators

The programs will be headed by Valentina Allegra (Public Health) and Kate Falla (Narrative Medicine), rising seniors on the pre-medical track at Columbia University, with support from medical students, doctors, and professors from Columbia University, Harvard University, and UCLA.
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Kate Falla
Rising Senior, Neuroscience and Behavior Major
​Columbia University
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Valentina Allegra
Rising Senior, Neuroscience & Behavior Major with a concentration in Public Health
Columbia University

DR. PAUL M. LEWIS

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

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Paul M. Lewis is a Neurology Resident at UCLA. He completed a dual M.D., M.S. degree at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College where he concentrated in Neurobiology with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. He has experience in diverse areas of global and public health having served as the Director of a program for underprivileged Native American youth, the President of a peer education group to promote holistic wellness, and the Community Education Chair of a drug and alcohol education group. Paul is the Founder of Harvard College VISION Global Health Society and the Global Health and Leadership Conference. He was a recipient of the Finley Fellowship from Harvard to spend a postgraduate year in Japan to learn about end-of-life care. Afterwards, he worked as a TMS Therapy Clinician at Dignity Brain Health to treat patients with Major Depressive Disorder. At Columbia University, he is the founder of the Medicine and Research Summer Program, the International Young Researchers' Conference (IYRC), and the ACComPLISHED CHW program. He has been teaching and mentoring students for 10 years. He looks forward to teaching you.

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THE INTERNATIONAL YOUNG
RESEARCHERS' CONFERENCE

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一般社団法人 IYRC
   〒106-0032 東京都港区六本木7丁目2番28-605号
    電話番号: 03-3527-9323
  • Home
  • About
    • Who we are
    • Gallery
    • Testimonials
    • Social Media
    • Join IYRC!
    • Submit a Review
  • Summer Conference 2026
    • Summer Conference 2026
    • Committees
    • SUBMISSION PROCESS AND GUIDELINES
    • In-Person Program
    • Virtual Program
    • Registration
    • Conference Policy
    • FAQs
  • Medicine and Research Summer
    • MEDICINE SUMMER 2026
    • ACComPLISHED Community Health Program
    • Medical Humanities Program: Narrative Medicine & Public Health​
    • IYRC Clubs (formerly ACComPLISHED Clubs)
    • VISION: The Global Health and Leadership Conference
    • FAQs
    • PAST SUMMER STUDENT WORKS >
      • Medical Education Modules Summer 2026
      • Medical Education Modules Spring 2026
      • Medical Education Modules fall 2025
      • Anatomy Art and Education Modules summer 2025
      • Medical Education Modules 2024/2025
      • Medical Education Modules 2024
      • Medical Education Modules 2023
      • HEART Student Works
      • HEART PROGRAM
      • PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION EVENT
  • STEM Winter
    • Speakers
  • Tokyo Explore
    • TOKYO EXPLORE 2026
    • FAQ
  • United States-Japan Foundation
  • Past Conferences
    • IYRC WINTER 2025
    • IYRC SPRING 2025
    • IYRC FALL 2024
    • IYRC Fall 2023
    • IYRC Spring 2023
    • IYRC Fall 2022
    • IYRC Fall 2021
    • IYRC Spring 2021
    • IYRC 2020
    • IYRC 2019 PROCEEDING
    • IYRC 2018 PROCEEDING
  • PAPER ARCHIVE
  • IYRC Journal
    • IYRC journal
  • Donation