Turning Gratitude into Connection: The Power of Storytelling
Too often in health care philanthropy, gathering and sharing grateful patient stories can feel like just another task on an endless to-do list. But what if we thought about it differently? What if we saw it as an opportunity to spark joy, build relationships and enhance well-being for everyone involved?
Consider a single drop in a pool of water. Every gratitude story creates ripples—touching patients, clinicians and our entire health care community in ways we may never fully realize.
The Transformative Power of Storytelling
A few years ago, I met Terrie at the hospital. Her husband, John had received a life-saving transplant. She wanted to thank his surgeon but struggled to put her gratitude into words. Emotional, she finally said, “I don’t even know where to begin. How do I explain what they gave back to me?”
At that moment, I realized something powerful: our role is not just to listen—it is to help people find their voice, express their gratitude and connect in ways that truly transform lives.
Think of a time when a story moved you. Maybe it was a patient’s triumph, a family’s gratitude or a small act of kindness. In our work, these stories are not just nice little anecdotes; they are proof of resilience, humanity and hope.
Take Monica, a Parkinson’s patient who survived a stroke. After months of therapy, she told me she had a letter to share—not with her doctor, but with her physical therapist, the one who taught her to walk again. Her letter read: “I don’t remember what you said to me, but I remember how you made me believe I could do this.”
That is the kind of impact we are capturing. And it matters.
The Science Behind Connection
Did you know that when we hear stories, our brains light up as if we are experiencing them ourselves? Stories activate our sensory cortex and evoke emotions. This is called neural coupling—a phenomenon where the brain activity of both the storyteller and the listener syncs up. Emotional stories also trigger the release of oxytocin, the trust hormone, which strengthens bonds and fosters empathy.
In short, when we share stories, we are not just passing along information—we are creating real, human connections. And in a world where connection is everything, that is a big deal.
We know that storytelling is powerful, but how do we actually gather these stories in a way that is meaningful and not overwhelming? Here are five tips:
1. Listen Actively – Be fully present. Put down the notebook, make eye contact and let people know their experiences matter. The best stories come when people feel truly heard.
2. Share Thoughtfully – Honor the storyteller’s intent and make sure they feel good about how their words are being used. Not every story needs to be public, and sensitivity is key.
3. Celebrate Together – Gratitude storytelling is not just for patients, donors and clinicians—it is for us, too! Reflecting on these stories fuels our passion and purpose.
4. Empower Clinicians – Shift the mindset so that storytelling becomes second nature. Make it easy for clinicians to connect patients to us for sharing their experiences.
5. Reflect and Reconnect – In the daily grind, it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Revisiting these stories can remind us why we do what we do.
Here’s an idea: Keep a “Wow Story” folder. Anytime you hear a story that gives you chills or brings tears to your eyes—save it. Those are the stories that stick, and they deserve to be shared.
Bringing It All Together
We all know the power of a great story—it moves people, inspires action and strengthens connections. But none of that happens unless we take the time to collect, share and celebrate these stories.
So, let’s make it easy. Let’s make it fun. And most of all, let’s remember that every gratitude story we gather has the power to change someone’s life—whether it’s a patient, a clinician, a donor or even ourselves.
At its core, gratitude storytelling is not just about engagement—it is about connection.
For patients, it provides reflection and closure.
For clinicians, it is a reminder of their impact.
For us, it keeps us going.
Like Monica and her physical therapist, every story we collect has the potential to inspire, heal and connect. Let’s lean into this with open hearts—because the gratitude stories we collect today will be the ones that live on for years to come.
About the Author: Susan Attwell, CFRE, is a Principal Consultant with Accordant. She specializes in creating and implementing strategic plans for front line fund development initiatives, donor cultivation, board relations and clinician engagement in philanthropy. You can reach her by email at Susan@AccordantHealth.com or by connecting through LinkedIn.
