Every Friday, Pulse–voices from the heart of medicine publishes and distributes a first-person story or poem, together with a visual image or haiku, about health care.

Launched in 2008, Pulse was created by members of the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in collaboration with colleagues and friends around the country.

At a time when the pioneering work of Rita Charon has established the value of narrative medicine–an approach that places a premium on personal perspectives within a healthcare encounter–Pulse makes narrative medicine available to all and accessible to anyone.

Pulse tells the story of health care through the personal experiences of those who live it–patients, health professionals, students and caregivers. While medical care is often rightly criticized for being cold and oblivious, Pulse highlights the humanity and vulnerability of all its actors. In doing so it promotes the humanistic practice of medicine and encourages advocacy for compassionate health care for all.

Since its launch, Pulse has drawn the attention of the national media and policymakers. Widely used by medical educators to promote humanism and professionalism, Pulse enjoys a broad readership drawn to its diverse voices, compelling writing and authenticity.

Pulse welcomes submissions by anyone who has a healthcare story to tell.

Pulse is published by Voices from the Heart of Medicine, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

Works published in Pulse—voices from the heart of medicine are selected by its editors in order to foster personal reflection and dialogue. Views and opinions expressed belong to the authors who wrote them. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or Pulse‘s supporting or partnering organizations.