A writer and editor, Alexis Rehrmann has dedicated her professional and personal life to exploring the profound connection between storytelling and healing. From her compelling profiles of homeless parents seeking shelter for their families in The New York Times, to her beginnings in theater and her unwavering support and devotion as she stood with her family during her mother’s end of life, Rehrmann’s work reflects a deep commitment to stories as the windows to healing the body and the human spirit.
Discovering Narrative Medicine
This lifelong passion ultimately led her to Columbia University’s Narrative Medicine Certificate of Professional Achievement program, where she graduated in August 2020. At Columbia, Rehrmann refined her ability to harness storytelling as a transformative tool in healthcare, furthering her journey to blend the art of narrative with the healing process. Her pursuit of narrative practice led her to become a board member of the Northwest Narrative Medicine Collaborative, a testament to her belief in the power of stories to foster empathy and understanding.
“In retrospect, I think my whole career, starting in theater, then journalism, and event marketing writing for companies, made me see how valuable stories can be for healing,” says Rehrmann. “I realized when I was doing marketing, I didn’t find it rewarding, that healing wasn’t possible in this space, so I knew I had to pursue something else.”
“COVID really cemented that, so I just kept pursuing studying narrative medicine and joined the Northwest Collaborative,” she adds.
Combining Health and Academia
She jumped at an opportunity to combine community health with academia when it opened up at Lewis & Clark Community College, near her family home in Portland. There she lives with her son, Henry Costantino, and her husband, Daniel Costantino. Today, Rehrmann brings this unique expertise to her work at the college, where she continues to advance the practice of narrative medicine, guiding the next generation of students and healthcare professionals in the healing potential of storytelling and the humanities.
Through a community engagement grant, Rehrmann was hired as the Community Engagement Coordinator at LCC’s new Center for Community and Global Health. The program is focused on helping health studies students foster human connections through the power of words and stories. The Center is missioned to expand health-related volunteer, internship, and shadowing opportunities for LCC students. These partnerships are designed to connect students more deeply with the Portland community and give them opportunities to explore and prepare for careers in the health professions.
Advancing Narrative Medicine
Last September, Rehrmann connected with narrative medicine practitioners at Advocate Health, presenting a poster titled, “Narrative Medicine Small Group Practice: A Step-by-Step Facilitation Guide.” This was part of Advocate’s 10th Annual Conference, “The Evolving Practice of Narrative Medicine: The Healing Power of Stories,” in Park Ridge, IL. She also invited Dr. David Thoele, co-founder of Advocate’s Narrative Medicine program, to travel to Portland to teach members of the Center a stress reduction exercise he has created called, “The 3-Minute Mental Makeover.”
In addition to these initiatives, Rehrmann has been conducting one-day narrative medicine workshops and introductions to the practice for staff and the community.
— Alexis Rehrmann
Writing for Justice and Healing
Rehrmann’s lifelong commitment to narrative medicine and the humanities continues to shape her work, both professionally and creatively. Her writing, particularly her contributions to the field of narrative medicine, is an extension of her belief in the power of stories to heal and inspire. As a writer, Rehrmann has co-authored memoirs on topics such as navigating masculinity in a trans body and creative recovery from sexual trauma—stories that are not her own, yet deeply resonate with the human experience.
During COVID, while home with her then six-year-old son, Rehrmann penned the poem “Essential,” which appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of Intima: The Journal of Narrative Medicine. The poem wrestles with themes of women’s work—cooking, cleaning, childcare, caregiving, and, of course, laundry.
Looking Ahead
What’s next for Rehrmann? She is planning to write a book aimed at exploring miscarriages and how storytelling can meet the emotional needs of parents facing loss and recovery. “I believe change comes from stories,” she says. “Narrative medicine teaches us how to listen, to witness, and to be present—these are the building blocks of trust and healing.”
Reflections and Inspirations
When asked about her personal and professional philosophies, Rehrmann shared some insights through a Narrative Mindworks Questionnaire:
- Definition of Narrative Medicine: Narrative medicine teaches us how to listen, to witness, to be with. These are the building blocks of trust—healing, restoration, and change all happen from here.
- Idea of Perfect Happiness: Coffee. A beautiful seasonal-weather day. A blank page. Something to do outside. Bonus points if it’s on or near water and with someone I love.
- Greatest Achievement: The gentleness and interior courage to be with my mother and family at the end of her life and the time of her death.
- What She’s Most Grateful For: The beloved people in my life who help me hold it down—ground my ambition, mirror my kindness in love, feed me well, show me how to rest. Time to write. Reasons to travel.
Conclusion
Through her work in narrative medicine, her writing, and her role as an educator, Alexis Rehrmann exemplifies the profound connection between storytelling and healing. Whether guiding students, inspiring healthcare practitioners, or exploring difficult themes in her own creative work, she remains committed to the transformative power of narrative. In her own words: “Change comes from stories.”
