Beyond the Diagnosis, the Story: A Narrative Medicine Workshop.

Beyond the diagnosis, the story.

Close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an afternoon of conversation, tea and writing. Narrative Medicine at Sarah Lawrence College welcomes journalist and author Lizzie Stark for an author talk and writing workshop.

We'll start with a conversation about Pandora's DNA, Lizzie's book tracing the breast cancer genes through history, science and her own family tree after she learned she carries a BRCA1 mutation. We'll also talk about Egg: A Dozen Ovatures, her essays on the surprising relationships between humans and eggs, and her TEDx talk on the patient experience. After afternoon tea and a book signing, Lizzie will guide us through a writing prompt of our own.

About Lizzie Stark

Lizzie Stark is a nonfiction author, journalist, and participation designer. Her book Pandora's DNA: Tracing the Breast Cancer Genes Through History, Science, and One Family Tree (Chicago Review Press, 2014) was named an ALA Notable Book. Her most recent book, Egg: A Dozen Ovatures (W.W. Norton, 2023), explores the egg from chickens to penguins and art to crime. Her essays and journalism have appeared in The Washington Post, Salon, Daily Beast, and on the Today Show, and she has given a TEDx talk on the patient experience.

Lizzie is also an award-winning game designer who creates in-person experiences for clients including the Kennedy Center and the Peabody Essex Museum. She holds an M.S. in journalism from Columbia University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Emerson College, and has been awarded multiple residencies at Yaddo.

The afternoon

1. The Conversation: an interview and audience Q&A
2. Afternoon Tea & Book Signing: sandwiches, scones and more
3. The Workshop: a guided writing prompt
4. Closing Discussion

Your ticket includes afternoon tea, plus a souvenir pen and a Leuchtturm1917 notebook for the workshop. The book signing is in collaboration with Periwinkle Books in Bronxville.

When and where
Sunday, November 1, 2026 · 11 AM – 2 PM
Barbara Walters Campus Center, Sarah Lawrence College · 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY

Questions? Email genomicsinstitute@sarahlawrence.edu

Presented by the Institute for Genomics and The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College.