Graphic Medicine Explained: Healing Through Comics with Dr. Ryan Montoya

What happens when medicine meets art? In this episode of Surgeon, Interrupted, Dr. Frances Mei sits down with Dr. Ryan Montoya to explore the growing field of Graphic Medicine — where comics and storytelling are used to share powerful experiences from the world of healthcare.Together, they unpack how visual storytelling can make medical experiences more human, accessible, and emotionally resonant — for both patients and clinicians. From burnout and recovery to empathy and education, Ryan explains how creating and reading comics can help us better understand what it means to heal.Dr. Montoya also shares his own journey as a physician and artist, offering insights for anyone curious about starting creative projects in medicine. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a patient, or a fan of narrative art, this conversation will change the way you see stories in medicine.Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MDGuest: Ryan Montoya, MDhttps://www.hippocratic-collective.com/members/ryan-montoya-mdPresented by: The Hippocratic CollectiveFollowing Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimdAnd subscribe to  ⁨@HippocraticCollective⁩  on Youtube for all of the other shows the Hippocratic Collective has to offer.https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/08/stay-true-to-yourself-fly-closer-sun-what-ive-learned-from-50-years-of-rejection00:25 Welcoming Dr. Ryan Montoya04:36 The Transition to Graphic Medicine07:51 Navigating Personal Interactions and Social Discomfort20:02 The Evolution of Storytelling in Graphic Medicine23:04 The Importance of Trust in Writing30:53 The Pain of Rejection in Creative Pursuits40:41 The Journey of Starting Now

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Graphic Medicine Explained: Healing Through Comics with Dr. Ryan Montoya

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