Maddie Mae Sasse
Title of Program: Narrative Medicine with a concentration in Film
E-mail Address: msasse@vols.utk.edu
Hometown: Pensacola, FL
Year: Senior
Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2021
Description of Program: Narrative Medicine is an approach to medicine that actively breaks down the wall between the humanities and sciences, seeing the patient as a person and not just an illness. By incorporating courses that instill narrative competence, future healthcare professionals and physicians are better acquainted with active listening, interpreting, and reflection on illnesses and care.
An accessible way to both integrate and practice these skills is through film. My goal is to acquire the skills and characteristics of a future leader so that I can begin to forge a path of access to, and give voice through film, to stories across the disease-wellness spectrum, for which words do not suffice.
Departmental Emphases: Chemistry, Biology, Cinema Studies, Philosophy (Bio-ethics), English, Psychology, and Anthropology
Faculty Mentor: Stanton B. Garner and Richard Hermes
Plans after graduation (career, graduate/professional school, etc.): After graduation, I hope to become a physician that practices medicine in an understanding, relational way. I am looking forward to a continuous use of my passion for film, creating pieces that instill reflection. I believe that Image becomes words, words become healing, and healing lessens suffering. Lastly, I would like to continually strive to meeting my personal goal of learning 5 languages, and immersing myself in the languages of their respective countries.
Other Academic Interests: German, Spanish, Education, and Leadership
Study Abroad: I hope to study abroad in Berlin during the summer of 2020.
Research Experiences or Internships: During the summer of 2019, I will work a summer long Narrative Medicine internship at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. I will be visiting with patients of Dr. Syl Jones, and filming the stories in the disease-wellness spectrum that must be told.
Part-time employment; Hobbies; Campus Clubs/Activities: On Campus, I am the Filmmaker and Promotional Manager for UT RecSports, am a member of The Meditation Club, and am working towards the co-creation of “The Narrative Medicine Club” with a good friend and colleague, Maggie Pepper. Off campus, I make wedding videos part-time, create YouTube videos, study, and work out.
Additional Information: I am the owner and creator of a sponsored YouTube channel where I post my personal films. It is my creative outlet, and truly represents a clearer picture of who I am.
