April 16 - 18, 2027

Iowa City, Iowa

National Physician Writers Retreat

Register

The Society of Physician Writers National Physician Writers Retreat is a national conference for physicians and medical trainees who have an interest in creative writing. This includes creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. While we have a deep respect and gratitude for the stories of all people who engage with healthcare, this event is specifically designed for physicians, fellows, residents, and medical students.

❋ Write

Carve out intentionally structured time for creative writing with small group workshops, individual writing time and optional feedback sessions.

❋ Reflect

Create an opportunity to connect with oneself and others about the purpose and meaning of doctoring.

❋ Commune

Cultivate community among physicians and medical trainees with an interest in creative writing of all skill levels.

❋ Publish

Generate creative work to share with the group that could be submitted for future publication.

FAQs

Who is this retreat for?

The Midwest Physician Writers Retreat is a national conference for physicians and medical trainees who have an interest in creative writing. This includes creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. While we have a deep respect and gratitude for the stories of all people who engage with healthcare, this event is specifically designed for physicians, fellows, residents, and medical students.

What if I’m not a good writer or don’t write often?

All experience and skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Is there funding to help students pay for the conference?

Student funding applications are closed for 2026, but we would love to have you join us in 2027!

I am not able to travel. Can I attend virtually?

Because one of our goals is to build community among attendees, we are not offering a virtual option at this time.

Will CME be available?

Yes. We anticipate being able to continue to offer AMA PRA Category 1 CME credit. The 2025 conference was approved for 8 credits.

2026 Retreat Summary

The 2026 retreat hosted seventy-five writers from ten states representing multiple specialties.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24:

1:30-2:30 Registration at Olbrich Botanical Gardens

2:00-2:15 Welcome Remarks

2:15-3:45 Breakout guided writing sessions (90 min)

  • Breakout Session A: Letters to the Unreachable: Mastering Epistolary Form led by Shanda McManus, MD

  • Breakout Session B: Skill building at the interface between verbal storytelling and writing led by Christine Seibert, MD and Elizabeth Fleming, MD

3:45-4:00 Break

4:00-4:45 Breakout guided writing sessions (45 min)

  • Breakout Session C: Reading into it: The patient’s perspective led by Liana Meffert, MD

  • Breakout Session D: Why Failure Stories Succeed led by Olivia Davies, MD

  • Guided Garden Tour: Outdoor walking tour through Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Welcome social events

5-7pm

  • Student social at Garver Feed Mill, light dinner provided (option to meet at Olbrich lobby at 5pm and walk over together)

6-8pm

  • Faculty social at Lake City Books, book reading and signing with Dr. K. Jane Lee, light dinner provided

SATURDAY, APRIL 25: 

8-8:30 Registration and breakfast at the Pyle Center

8:30-10:00 Breakout guided writing sessions (90 min)

  • Breakout Session E (Room 325/326): Clinical Poetry: Illness as experience led by Scott Biggerstaff, MD

  •  Breakout Session F (Room 209): Bringing narrative medicine to post-graduate trainees with Matthew Dettmer, MD, MFA

  • Individual Writing Consultation (Room 312): 30-minute time slots available with Caroline Hensley, PhD

  • Quiet Lakeview Writing Space (Room 320): available for independent free writing

10:00-10:15 Coffee Break

10:15-11:00 Breakout guided writing sessions (45 min)

  • Breakout Session G (Room 325/326): Narrative Care: craft exercises for centering those we care for in our writing led by Susan Hata, MD

  •  Breakout Session H (Room 209): Purpose and Place: Paths to self-exploration in hierarchical medical training and beyond led by Riley Dean, Megan Jasicki, Alex Nelson and Cassandra Sundaram

  • Individual Writing Consultation (Room 312): 30-minute time slots available with Caroline Hensley, PhD

  • Quiet Lakeview Writing Space (Room 320): available for independent free writing

11:15-12:30 Keynote Plenary: Dr. K. Jane Lee

12:30-1:30 Lunch provided

1:30-3:00 Breakout guided writing sessions (90 min)

  • Breakout Session I (Room 325/326): From Bedside to Byline: Turning your story into writing that counts led by Ben Trappey, MD, Maren Olson, MD, MPH, MedEd, Anthony Williams, MD

  •  Breakout Session J (Room 209): Landmines and Lily Pads led by Melissa Perrin

  • Individual Writing Consultation (Room 312): 30-minute time slots available with Caroline Hensley, PhD

  • Quiet Lakeview Writing Space (Room 320): available for independent free writing

3:00-3:30 Coffee/snack break

3:30-4:30 Breakout publishing sessions

  • Seminar on Publishing A (Room 325/326 or on Zoom), How to get published: A workshop for writers of short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry led by Dr. Scott-Conner

  • Seminar on Publishing B (Room 209): From Bedside to Bookshelf: Crafting your narrative medicine book proposal led by Renée K. Nicholson, MFA

  • Individual Writing Consultation (Room 312): 30-minute time slots available with Caroline Hensley, PhD

  • Quiet Lakeview Writing Space (Room 320): available for independent free writing

4:30-7:00 Break

7:00-9:00 Story Slam at Great Dane Eastside, light dinner provided, cash bar

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: 

8-8:30 Continental breakfast at Olbrich Botanical Gardens

8:30-10:30 Small Group Writing Workshops, bring a piece of up to 1500 words to share

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:45 Guided writing in the Garden or writing time

11:45-12:00 Closing Remarks

12:00-1:00 Open mic reading, lunch provided

1:00 Adjourn