“Using Your Stories of Suffering to Connect with Patients"
Dr. Tess Russell, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Hosted by the Columbia Center for Clinical Medical Ethics
Date & Time: Reception at 4:30 PM (VEC Lobby), Lecture from 5:00–6:15 PM (VEC 201)
Live stream available at: Zoom Link
About the Lecture
In today’s increasingly complex health care environment, the doctor-patient relationship is often strained by cultural, linguistic, and societal barriers. Whether navigating structural inequities or making deeply personal end-of-life decisions, clinicians are frequently challenged to connect with patients whose lived experiences differ vastly from their own. In this year’s Annual Lisio Family Lecture, Dr. Tess Russell explores how physicians can bridge these divides by drawing upon their own narratives of suffering and hardship. Through the power of storytelling, clinicians can foster deeper empathy, cultivate trust, and create more human-centered care experiences.
Dr. Russell will reflect on how personal vulnerability and emotional authenticity can become transformative tools in medical practice — tools that not only enhance communication but also restore meaning and connection in patient care. Her lecture invites healthcare professionals to reconsider the role of personal narrative in clinical settings and embrace the shared human experiences that unite us all.
About the Speaker
Dr. Tess Russell is a renowned educator, clinician, and advocate for physician well-being. Originally from Texas, Dr. Russell earned her MD from the University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center before moving to New York City to complete her Anesthesiology residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where she served as Chief Resident. Over the course of her career, she has held several leadership roles in medical education, including Associate Residency Program Director, Director of Simulation Education, and Director of the Clinical Internship. In 2014, she completed a fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
Currently at Columbia University, Dr. Russell is the Director of the Physician Wellbeing Initiative in the Department of Anesthesiology, where she has developed a longitudinal wellness and resilience curriculum for trainees. She also serves as a Physician Well-Being Lead in the Dean’s Office of Well-Being. Her academic interests focus on physician flourishing, resilience, and fostering a culture of empathy within clinical practice.
Among her numerous accolades, Dr. Russell has been recognized as Teacher of the Year by Anesthesiology residents, awarded CTICU Attending of the Year twice, and was named Physician of the Year by her nursing colleagues at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in 2020. She resides in New York City with her husband and three children.
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