What if someone told you that a story could save a life? In healthcare, we rely on charts, numbers, and test results, but what gets lost in the data is the patient’s voice. Nurses, more than anyone, are the translators of human experience, turning fragmented symptoms into full narratives that can change the course of care.Dr. Jitana Benton-Lee explores Narrative Medicine, a practice that sees storytelling as a powerful clinical tool. Through fast-moving visuals and rhythmic narration, Dr. Benton shares real moments where a nurse’s ability to listen, interpret, and advocate made the difference between a missed diagnosis and a lifesaving intervention.But this isn’t just about healthcare. Storytelling is how we make sense of the world. It’s how we build trust, find meaning, and make change. The ability to hear, understand, and retell someone’s story is what allows us to form deeper connections—not just in hospitals, but in our daily lives. What stories aren’t we listening to—and what might happen if we did?Because in nursing and in life, medicine heals the body, but stories heal the person. The more we learn to listen, the better we can care—for our patients, for each other, and for ourselves. Dr. Jitana Benton-Lee is a distinguished nurse leader, educator, and health equity strategist with over 25 years of experience transforming healthcare through advocacy, inclusive leadership, and systems innovation. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Nursing at Texas Woman’s University, where her research explores psychological safety in the nurse-patient relationship and the life-altering impact of silence in clinical care. Jitana is the Founder and CEO of Cultured Remedy, a health equity consulting firm, and an Associate Professor of Graduate Nursing at Northern Kentucky University. Her professional path spans clinical care, executive nursing leadership, higher education, and health equity-focused entrepreneurship. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Graduate student and U.S. military service member Hannah M. Galicia speaks to those working in male-dominated fields by focusing on gender issues in the military. Female soldiers struggle to have the same access to military social spaces when compared to their male counterparts. This social barrier often causes female soldiers to take one of two personality pathways: be bold, confrontational, or even aggressive, or be reserved, inconspicuous, and submissive. Although these personality traits are extreme examples, they are often seen in the personalities of female soldiers who fit into military culture. This is especially true when examining roles that are traditionally masculine, such as drill sergeants and infantry units. As a female soldier, and Galicia has personally witnessed other female soldiers overexerting themselves to gain access into military social spaces. For example, it is common for female drill sergeants to be the most aggressive and loud of all drill sergeants. These behaviors attempt to communicate that gender does not matter in the military, but it is also an effort to fit in or even prevail over male counterparts. Why do female soldiers feel the need to brutalize their personality, just to gain access and acceptance into military social spaces? Galicia asks us to consider the strengths of traditional feminine personalities and attributes, rather than assuming we must adapt to be more like our male counterparts in male-dominated fields. Hannah M. Galicia is a dedicated military service member and awarded Ph.D. student at Texas Woman’s University. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2022 with a Masters of Science in Criminological Theory and Research. With an interest in high-control environments and identity, Galicia challenges the common status quo of "that’s just the way it is" by not only inspiring, but demanding change. Her drive to improve the military was recognized in 2025 when the National Guard Association of Texas awarded her $4,000 to conduct research on state activation missions and mental health. She is a primary analyst and public speaker in military environments, and hopes to transition her work to the civilian realm. Galicia is inspired about giving a voice to the 1% who serve, often overlooked and underrepresented in academic research. Additionally, she hopes to inspire all women working in male-dominated career fields. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx