September brought the release of the 10th anniversary edition of the Graphic Medicine Manifesto. What a thrill. We recorded a discussion with the authors, editor, and a moderator, you can watch via the Graphic Medicine website.
Since LB & Me has been a success, and since I have a tattoo for each of my books, (minus the Manifesto, which I am considering rectifying) I needed to get new ink!
The next comic I made was a collaboration for the Spring issue of Literature & Medicine. My term as comics editor is wrapping up, and I am thrilled to be handing the torch to Columbia Narrative Medicine’s own Mario de la Cruz. Can’t share the full comic yet, but here’s a screenshot of one panel, images of the comics that have appeared in the journal over the past five years. Very proud of this work and grateful to the artists for sharing it. A bittersweet transition.
Looking forward in 2026, I’m eager to work with a wonderful Fulbright Scholar, Maria. She will be teaching with me at Northwestern, University of Illinois Chicago, and University of Chicago. It will be a busy spring back to teaching but I’m looking forward to it.
The Health Humanities conference will be in Indianapolis, Indiana this year and Graphic Medicine will be in Baltimore. Some colleagues in nursing are gathering to brainstorm about expanding the power of comics in our profession, particularly for advocacy and activism. High hopes for this work and the year ahead. There is so much work to be done.
