Akesis is a journal of narrative medicine created and run by students at the University of New England (ME, USA). Narrative medicine is the art of gathering, creating, and sharing stories of illness and healing; it honors the role of stories in healthcare, and allows health care providers to better care for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. By providing an outlet for original literary and artistic works related to narrative medicine, the editors of Akesis seek to promote both awareness of the practice and development of communication, self-care, expression, reflection, and mindfulness skills among the UNE community of health professionals.