Table 2.

Thematic Analysis of Statements

Themes	Significant Statements
Theme 1: Genuine curiosity. As individuals reflected on their origin stories, they questioned if other participants would find these stories of any significance. Feelings of self-doubt quickly dissipated as participants displayed genuine curiosity that both affirmed and valued one another’s stories.	Initially, I didn’t think sharing my story would be a big deal. I didn’t think anyone would want to hear my story. You think of yourself as boring, then you realize the value of telling your story.
Theme 2: Safety for reflection and vulnerability. Participants joined the origin storytelling group to share and hear personal stories. They were prepared to be vulnerable and emotion was expressed freely within the group. This fostered a sense of safety.	You were telling your story to people who wanted to be vulnerable, who wanted to hear stories. A smaller group allowed for vulnerability. The amazing thing was everyone felt a deep emotion while sharing their story.
Theme 3: Insight of lived experiences. Transparency and vulnerability of participants about their trajectories provided others with broader perspectives on each storyteller. This level of insight and understanding was not an initial expectation of participants.	Colleagues are deep and multidimensional. Significant increase of insight into colleagues To hear others voice their struggles prompts you to realize you’re not the only one struggling.
Theme 4: Life is not a linear trajectory. The origin storytelling process enabled participants to recognize that their lives were not linear in trajectory. For some, medicine was not an initial career choice. Time, experience, and serendipitous events led several to medicine.	It’s amazing how life all fits together with time. I was originally repulsed by medicine. Not wanting to be a doctor was positive, as there was no stress growing up.
Theme 5: Creative empowerment. Origin writing provided a creative outlet for personal reflection and expression. Participants found this process engaging and powerful in learning more about oneself and others.	Origin storytelling was good, it was an “art.” I appreciated the experience and the opportunity to participate. Storytelling was powerful.
Theme 6: Enhanced collegiality. The process of origin storytelling increased understanding and empathy among participants. In turn, this insight fostered more collegiality and positive interactions. Participants articulated this as a lasting change and recommended that more faculty members participate in a similar experience.	Knowing someone better changes your interactions for the positive. Origin storytelling allowed for colleagues to foster grace for one another. Origin storytelling will have a lasting impact on participants.