The overall goal of my project is to explore what it means to die well through the examination of end-of-life care and traditions worldwide. My academic journey at Middlebury, which combined creative writing with my pre-medical studies, has ignited a passion for envisioning a future in medicine where narrative practices can emphasize patients' individuality and humanity beyond their diagnoses, breaking down barriers created by over-medicalization and leaving room for more holistic care. This approach to medicine is especially crucial in end-of-life situations, where preserving a person's humanity beyond their illness may take precedence over attempting to delay the inevitable, an idea that may seem unspeakable to Western doctors. 

As I embark on this coming journey, I plan to center the people I meet - the doctors, nurses, doulas, carpenters, funeral directors, families, and patients. I look forward to the diverse encounters, stories, and lessons that await, all of which will contribute to my understanding of what it means to die well. This year will allow me to discover innovative practices that account for other countries’ success in this area and start me on a path toward understanding how these practices may be used in the American healthcare system. I imagine that these experiences will not only deepen my comprehension of what end-of-life care can be but will also make the path toward becoming a physician committed to person-centered healing much clearer.