Rachel Fleishman, M.D. serves the families of Philadelphia as a Neonatologist at Jefferson’s Einstein Hospital where she is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Narrative Medicine. Dr. Fleishman obtained her Doctor of Medicine from Albert Einstein College of Medicine after graduating from Columbia University with a B.A. in Biochemistry and a Special Concentration in Creative Writing. Her interest in compassionate, family-centered NICU care began in 2005 as a pediatric resident and continued during her neonatology fellowship at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington.

As the Director of Narrative Medicine for Jefferson Health’s Central Region, Dr. Fleishman uses her expertise to direct several curricular innovations in narrative medicine through which she fosters humanistic skills, encourages introspection, and ameliorates burnout amongst other healthcare workers and trainees. She published descriptions and assessments of her programming in peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Fleishman gives invited workshops and talks around the country related to narrative medicine as a tool to improve parent-provider communication and the power of reflective writing for healthcare workers. 

As a third generation Philadelphian, Dr. Fleishman lives in the city’s suburbs with her husband, two sons, and dog. When not at the hospital, writing, or parenting, she can be found in her kitchen dancing to a playlist only the algorithm understands.