Maggie Pepper

Title of Program: Narrative Medicine

E-mail Address: mpepper2@vols.utk.edu

Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN  

Year: Senior                      

Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021

Description of Program: Due to the rapid pace of technology and specialization, we often experience a fragmented, impersonal, and hyper-medicalized system of healthcare. Narrative Medicine serves to restore and reform what’s been lost by reuniting the sciences and the humanities— by taking classes in the humanities along with pre-medicine courses, Narrative medicine seeks to integrate a humane, relational, and empathetic aspect of human interaction into the practice of medicine, recognizing each person’s shared humanity and individual story.

Departmental Emphases: Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy (Bioethics), English, Religious Studies, Anthropology

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Justin Arft

Plans after graduation (career, graduate/professional school, etc.): Equipped with enhanced relational skills, attention, empathy, and “narrative competence,” I intend to pursue a career in healthcare — e.g., physician (DO, MD), physician’s assistant (PA) — through a professional graduate program that embraces the tenets and values of “Narrative Medicine.” Incorporating and weaving “story” more holistically into the practice of medicine, I hope to complement the caregiving role through the act and art of writing — narration, memoir, poetry, essay, photography, etc.

Other Academic Interests: Spanish, Writing, Literature, Religious Studies, History of Medicine

Study Abroad: I hope to study abroad in Spain during the summer of 2019.

Research Experiences or Internships: Hope to participate in rich communities such as L’Arche, etc.

Part-time employment; Hobbies; Campus Clubs/Activities: As a certified nurse assistant, I worked at Community Care (SNF) during the summer of 2018 in my hometown of Murfreesboro. Involved with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) on campus; member of the Student Alumni Associates; intramural basketball team. I enjoy the outdoors (e.g., hiking, running, exploring), playing guitar, making (and drinking) coffee, reading, travel, spending time with friends and family.