writer. speaker. consultant. optimist.
Hello.
I’m Mary Elizabeth, a professional extrovert and Oxford comma enthusiast with about a thousand years experience, give or take a century. For the past several years I've been chronicling my adventures with Stage 4 melanoma and working toward a better healthcare experience for all of us.
I am a doctoral student of Medical Humanities at Drew University, where I have recently completed my certification in Conflict Resolution & Leadership. My studies have given me the opportunity to learn with the Institute for Peace & Dialogue in Switzerland and University of Humanistic Studies in the Netherlands. Prior to joining the Drew community, I received my certification in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University.
Publications I've written for include The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Salon, Time, and Health.
Photo by Deborah Copaken
My most recent book is on my experience with metastatic melanoma — and the groundbreaking immunotherapy clinical trial, pioneered by Nobel winner James Allison — that saved my life.
"Exhilarating and entertaining... Williams delivers a complex tale about a complex disease" — Kirkus (starred review)
A series of catastrophes & miracles (& more)
My New York Times essay, “A Second Embrace, With Hearts and Eyes Open,” was adapted for the second season of Amazon Prime’s “Modern Love,” out now. Read my Times interview about it.
And look how sweet Tobias Menzies was when I talked to him about it in 2023.
I was thrilled to be the 2020 winner of the Walter J. Alvarez award from the American Medical Writers Association.
SPEAKING & Consulting
Helping bridge the communication gaps between patients, doctors, and researchers is my mission.
I've talked about cancer, clinical trials, immunotherapy, grief, and the mental health challenges of living with illness for Walgreens (Clinical Trials Day 2023),Fred Hutch (Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness Day 2023 Keynote), Harrington Cancer Center (2023 Survivor Celebration), WCG MAGI West (2022 Keynote), Quality Cancer Care Alliance (Spring 2022 featured speaker), ASCO (2021 book club), DIA (2020 keynote), PRIM&R (2019 keynote), ACCC (2019 featured speaker), Cancer Research Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Bristol Meyers Squibb, WCG, Flatiron Health, Pfizer, Jounce, Nektar, Weill Cornell Medicine, Indiana University, and multiple other organizations and institutions.
I'd love to work with your organization too! Just ask.
I've also been a member of Stand Up to Cancer's immunotherapy dream team, am a Gilda's Club ambassador, member of NYU Langone’s Division of Medical Ethics Working Group on Compassionate Use & Preapproval Access, and have worked with the Parker Institute and the Cancer Research Institute.
My doctor, Jedd Wolchok, and I were in conversation for the 2021 ASCO Book Club. You can watch the video here.