Words from Certificate Alumni

The Media and Medicine Certificate program has welcomed participants from all over the world. Below please find some perspectives from program alumni.

Vivian Birchall, television host and producer

"I have an interest in global health and policy, so the Media and Medicine Certificate program equipped me with the knowledge and skills to tell compelling personal and public health stories through a 'solutions journalism' lens.  I became a better listener, content creator and writer, while building relationships with classmates from around the world."

Mary Pan, family medicine physician and writer

"As a mid-career primary care physician with a background in global health and narrative medicine, Harvard's Media & Medicine program provided collaboration, mentorship, and inspiration from leaders in the field of storytelling and medicine, offering a unique exploration of how best to harness narrative to counter misinformation and inform the public about important health care issues. I was encouraged to develop my own interests in writing op-eds, essays, and poems, but also learned about previously unexplored methods like podcasts and playwriting. I came away with a renewed passion for the importance of illness narratives, inspired by my worldwide and world-class cohort. Innovation and effective communication skills are necessary now more than ever, and the Media & Medicine program equips health care professionals with the training and community to address urgent public health issues."

Jules Lipoff, dermatologist and writer

"I loved the Media and Medicine program, because it genuinely created and introduced me into a community of like-minded yet diverse writers, artists, podcasters, and advocates, which thrived even in a pandemic. Not only did the lectures, engagement, and project push me to learn and challenge myself, I gained friends, mentors, and inspiration."

John La Puma, wellness and nutrition expert, author, and television host

"I've been lucky enough to write popular books, co-host a Lifetime TV show, and do thousands of interviews. But the HMS program gave me something that my media experience had not—a peer group of sorts. My classmates are so talented, so diverse, and such passionate storytellers that I feel truly fortunate even to have met them and have them as colleagues in medicine and media now and in the future."

Contact Us

If you would like to speak with someone about the certificate program, email us at mmcertificate@hms.harvard.edu.

person in a cage
Pamela Morris, alum, on suicide for the New York Times
Neal Baer
Neal Baer: Not just playing doctor on TV

Alumni Interview

Merging Narratives and Science to Improve Health

Interview with Kara Zivin, alum of Media and Medicine Certificate program

"The Media and Medicine Certificate program gave me more exposure to different modalities, not just writing, and to people focused on health-related topics."

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Alumni Interview

Bringing Accessibility to Bio-Tech

An Interview with Larry Weru, alum of the Media and Medicine Certificate and Master of Media, Medicine, and Health program

"I learned how to come up with stories that you can pitch and how to actually go from “I have an idea,” to thinking about the audience, developing that story and understanding the places that might want to share that story."

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Alumni Interview

Revealing 'Healthcare Blindspots'

An Interview with Vivian Kobusingye Birchall, alum of Media and Medicine Certificate program

"When I think about storytelling I think of my upbringing. Formats of storytelling have changed over time, but the impact is the same."

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Alumni Interview

Acting and Aiding

An Interview with Francesca Decker, alum of Media and Medicine Certificate program

"The initial week was incredible.  I felt like I’d been knocking on doors for years, unsure how to open them, and that week handed me a massive set of keys."

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Media & Medicine Participant Accomplishments