When LaTisha Culler speaks of her late daughter Ayanna (Yanni), it’s easy for those who never met her to feel as if they know her intimately. “I used to call her my little ‘Punky Brewster,’” said LaTisha, a big fan of the TV show. “Yanni danced to her own tune, whatever she felt was right. […]
Narrative medicine, patient journals support patients on their health care journey
As narrative medicine coordinator, Nicole Robinson witnesses on a daily basis the healing power of listening to the stories of our patients, their families and our hospital staff. “Narrative medicine is the use of literary arts to help patients, families and staff tell and listen to stories,” she said. “For children and families, it may […]
Researchers get a global audience for work on narrative medicine
A team from Akron Children’s recently presented at the 21st Communication, Medicine, and Ethics (COMET) Conference at the University of Cork, in Cork, Ireland. The presentation was on “Integrating Narrative Medicine in a Pediatric Clinical Setting: Understanding the Illness Experience of Children While Improving Health Outcomes.” Akron Children’s has one of the few hospital-based narrative […]
Palliative care helps Marissa Anderegg live her best life
There is no shortage of love in the Penrod household. It flows between Lori and Marv Penrod and Marissa Anderegg, their 19-year-old daughter who has several life-threatening conditions. From there, it extends to include Akron Children’s Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center, which has made caring for Marissa at home possible. “Palliative Care has always […]
Nicole Robinson honored by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Nicole Robinson, narrative medicine coordinator, was recently honored with the Humanities Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine for her work advancing the relationship between humanities and palliative care and using the discipline to improve end-of-life care through community and professional education. Nicole works under the auspices of the Haslinger Pediatric Palliative […]
Reading, writing, reflecting: Narrative medicine gets boost at Akron Children’s
Medical professionals routinely take their patients’ medical histories when providing care. Now a grant-funded project at Akron Children’s Hospital is taking that idea a step further to encourage use of literature and personal stories to promote resiliency for patients and providers. “Taking Our Histories: Providing Hope Through the Humanities” is a yearlong project that includes narrative medicine workshops for health care professionals at Akron Children’s, as […]
