Yale's Medical Education Day Explores the Power of Human Connection

The 14th annual Medical Education Day at Yale kicked off at The Anlyan Center (TAC) on June 4. This year’s keynote speaker was Kate Tellers, senior director at The Moth, who explored the intersection of medicine, humanity, and the art of connection.

The Moth is a global nonprofit that promotes storytelling and celebrates the diversity and commonality of human experience. Tellers' keynote focused on connection and how stories are not just tools for entertainment, but opportunities for learning and growth.

“Research has shown that when humans hear and connect with certain words, the same areas of their brains glow,” said Tellers. “There's a cellular synchronicity that happens known as neural coupling.”

“Storytelling,” she pressed, “creates connection. Stories, even brief ones, can help you meet your patients where they are, establish trust, and allow you to see them as people not a diagnosis.”

Tellers invited attendees to turn to a partner and share a moment when they realized the value of their work. “Remember a time in your life that changed you. Think about the scenes of your story. Be specific. Show, don’t tell. Give your listener visuals, expressions, reactions,” she prompted. “Storytelling is an intentional ordering of information that, much like medicine, balances precision and empathy.”

The exercise challenged participants to reflect on a meaningful moment in their careers and translate that experience into a brief story. Listeners were then asked to share the words or scenes that stood out or stuck with them most.

“Even when you can’t relate to a specific experience, push yourself to find your patient's humanity. Ask yourself what’s the ‘why’ behind their story,” said Tellers. “It’s so important that your patients see you as humans, and that you see your patients as humans.”

When asked if artificial intelligence (AI) has a place in storytelling, Tellers shook her head. “AI is not curious. To be a good storyteller and human you have to have authenticity and curiosity. We have to keep our ability to connect as humans. AI can’t replace that.”

After the keynote, attendees had the opportunity to attend several presentations and workshops on topics such as, “Using Simulation Design to Craft Better Learning Cases” and “Exploring Psychological Safety in the Pediatric Emergency Departments.”

Attendees returned to TAC at the end of the day for a recognition ceremony and poster session. The ceremony highlighted 15 Education Scholar Fellowship graduates and celebrated the 2026 Master of Health Science-Medical Education track graduates and MD graduates with a concentration in Medical Education.

Two students, Saeed Juggan, MD-PhD ’29, and Arielle Shibi Rosen, MD ’27, were recognized with the Excellence in Medical Education award, which celebrates peers who enrich the Yale School of Medicine learning experience through teaching, peer mentorship, and dedicated education service.

The poster session reception featured more than 90 posters by faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and students. Several outstanding posters were given the ‘Medical Education Research’ and ‘Innovation in Education’ awards during the recognition ceremony.