Carol A. Bowman Creative Writing Contest

Established by Richard Caplan, M.D.

Sponsored by the UI Carver College of Medicine's Writing and Humanities Program.

2025 Contest Winners

2025 Judges

  • Carol Scott Conner, MD
  • Brittany Bettendorf, MD

See Previous Years' entries and results.

A Message from Dr. Richard Caplan, M.D.

I established the Carol A. Bowman Creative Writing Contest after the death of Dr. Bowman, who had just received her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in Medical Humanities, although for several years I had been sponsor of such an effort in cooperation with Vital Signs. The purpose was to encourage medical students to reflect on their new experiences in the world of medicine and to encourage the process and discipline of putting words on paper effectively, and to enjoy the satisfactions of creative effort.

The Program in Biomedical Ethics and Medical Humanities in conjunction with the Writing and Humanities Program is pleased to announce this creative writing contest for medical students. Entries may be of any length or literary genre (fiction, essay, poetry, drama, memoir). The purpose of the contest is to stimulate student writing and thoughtful expression of the many and new experiences students encounter while in medical school.

Contest Guidelines

The Program in Biomedical Ethics and Medical Humanities, in conjunction with the Writing and Humanities Program, is pleased to announce a Creative Writing Contest open to all medical students. The contest encourages thoughtful reflection and literary expression, offering students a platform to share their unique experiences and insights gained throughout medical school.

Eligibility

The contest is open to currently enrolled medical students at any stage of their education.
All submissions must be original, unpublished works written by the submitting student within the current academic year. 
Limit one entry per student each year.

Accepted Genres

Students may submit work in any of the following literary genres:

  • Fiction (short stories, vignettes, etc.)
  • Essay (personal reflections, analytical pieces, etc.)
  • Poetry
  • Drama (monologues, dialogues, one-act plays, etc.)
  • Memoir (personal narratives, autobiographical pieces, etc.)

Theme

While there is no strict thematic requirement, entries should explore personal, ethical, or humanistic aspects of medical education and practice. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • The emotional and intellectual challenges of medical training
  • Encounters with patients that left a lasting impact
  • Ethical dilemmas in medicine
  • The intersection of medicine and personal identity
  • Reflections on empathy, resilience, and professional growth

Submission 

  • Length: Submissions may be of any length, but must not exceed 5,000 words.
  • Format:
    • Typed, double-spaced (for prose submissions)
    • 12-point, Times New Roman or equivalent font
    • Poetry submissions may be single-spaced
    • PDF or Word document format (.pdf or .docx) preferred

Anonymity:

Do not include your name or any identifying information in the document.

Process

All entries are to be submitted HERE by March 12, 2026.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Creativity and originality – Unique perspective and compelling storytelling
  • Clarity and coherence – Clear structure and logical flow
  • Emotional depth and engagement – Impactful expression of thoughts and experiences
  • Literary quality – Strength of language, imagery, and overall writing style
  • Relevance to medicine – Meaningful connection to medical training and the human experience

Awards and Recognition

  • 1st place: $400
  • 2nd place: $250
  • 3rd place: $150

The winning submissions will be published with author approval to be distributed (gratis) online and in The Examined Life Journal. Entries may be published with the author's permission on our website or in printed form.
Winners will be announced in April of 2026.

Contact Information

Questions? Visit, email, or call David Etler at 335-8058, 1191 MERF or email ccom-whp@uiowa.edu. We look forward to reading your submissions!

About the Contest

Carol Bowman received a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in the Medical Humanities in May 1992. Soon after, she was found to have a malignancy from which she died in July 1993 after a valiant, difficult struggle. She had been a successful writer herself, a counselor regarding substance abuse, as well as an enthusiastic teacher of high school and medical students. This contest is meant as a memorial to her concern for the humane treatment of patients and students.

Student Support