2016 Voices We’re Revisiting
This year, we’re revisiting some of TEDMED’s most unforgettable talks from 2016 – ideas that continue to resonate today. From profound reflections on life and death to innovations in health and science, these talks remind us that the most powerful ideas endure.
Explore the playlist:
- Lucy Kalanithi on what makes life worth living in the face of death
- Sue Klebold’s unflinching look at violence, grief, and mental health
- Caitlin Doughty on sustainable burial practices
- Vivek Murthy on the Surgeon General’s prescription for happiness
- Alia Crum on the surprising power of the mind in healing
These talks challenge, inspire, and remind us that ideas worth spreading continue to shape how we think, act, and live today.
What makes life worth living in the face of death
Lucy Kalanithi
Stanford internist Lucy Kalanithi is the widow of neurosurgeon and writer Paul Kalanithi, who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer at age 36. In Lucy’s 2016 TEDMED Talk, she shares the perspective their family gained during Paul’s difficult transition from doctor to patient.
More About This TalkAbout Lucy Kalanithi
About Lucy
Dr. Lucy Kalanithi is a respected physician and advocate for healthcare reform, with a focus on end-of-life care. She currently serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. After graduating from Yale School of Medicine, she completed her residency at the University of California-San Francisco and a fellowship at Stanford’s Clinical Excellence Research Center, where she focused on improving healthcare delivery and value. Lucy gained international recognition for her work on the memoir, When Breath Becomes Air, written by her late husband, Dr. Paul Kalanithi. The book, a #1 New York Times bestseller, explores his journey as a neurosurgeon and a patient facing a terminal illness. Lucy wrote the touching epilogue, and has since continued to speak publicly about the intersection of medicine and mortality. As a speaker and a member of several leadership boards, including TEDMED, Lucy shares her insights on navigating difficult healthcare conversations and promoting patient-centered care. She has been honored for her contributions to medicine and her compassionate advocacy. Lucy continues to live in the San Francisco Bay Area while her work inspires conversations about living meaningfully in the face of death.
