Through narrative, vulnerability becomes a bridge, not a barrier, between doctors and patients. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Thompson reveals how collecting and sharing 21 real stories of motherhood, loss, and healing transformed her view of medicine. Press play to explore how storytelling can deepen empathy and change the way we practice medicine. Key Takeaways To Listen For

• What storytelling reveals about empathy, transformation, and the human side of medicine
• Why shared struggles, spoken or unspoken, create powerful patient connections
• How personal pain shapes professional care and deepens compassion
• What women physicians gain when they reclaim time, presence, and community
• How asking and listening unlock deeper care and authentic connection

About Rebecca Thompson, MD, MSCDr. Rebecca Thompson is a family medicine and public health physician based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in women’s and children’s health. Trained at Harvard, Stanford, and Oregon Health & Science University, she brings both clinical expertise and personal insight to her work. Her book, Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love, weaves together her own story of pregnancy loss and healing with the voices of patients, colleagues, and friends. Through narrative medicine and deep listening, Dr. Thompson advocates for compassionate care, community connection, and embracing the complexity of the human experience, both in and outside the exam room.

Connect with Rebecca

• Website: Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, MSc

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