Creative Nonfiction Anthology to be Published by Duquesne, Feature Voices of the Health Sciences

“This anthology will paint a realistic, three-dimensional portrait of the health sciences for readers everywhere,” said Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. “Showcasing health care workers, it will highlight why they do the work they do and capture the honest experience of patients and those who care for them.” 

The book will be edited by Lee Gutkind, Distinguished Writer-in-Residence at Duquesne. Gutkind is a nationally acclaimed author of creative nonfiction books focusing on the health sciences. His award-winning Many Sleepless Nights: The World of Organ Transplantation captured the pioneering work of Dr. Thomas Starzl and the early organ transplantation teams that transformed medical science and saved countless lives.

“I’m thrilled that Lee Gutkind is spearheading this important initiative. Creative nonfiction blends the art of storytelling with hard-nosed journalistic research, interviews and fact-finding, allowing creative writing students to use their skills in a wide array of practical career settings,” said Gormley. “This initiative anchors Duquesne as a national leader in this important field.”

The anthology, expected to be the first of a series, will be published by Sunbury Press in 2027 and is part of a larger creative nonfiction initiative at Duquesne funded by the Eugene P. Beard Presidential Prizes for Innovation and Distinction. As part of this initiative, the University appointed Gutkind and writer/professor Jill Moyer Sunday as Distinguished Writers in Residence in 2025. The annual Beard Presidential Prizes, established by prominent Duquesne alumnus Eugene Beard in 2024, focus on advancing innovative and/or special initiatives proposed by the University president for rare yet extraordinary strategic opportunities.

The anthology is one of several recent creative nonfiction endeavors at Duquesne. The large archive of Creative Nonfiction literary magazine, a nationally recognized journal founded by Gutkind in 1993, was recently transferred to the University’s archives at Gumberg Library. Celebrated authors published in Creative Nonfiction included Annie Dillard, John McPhee, Gay Talese, John Edgar Wideman and Rebecca Skloot.

“Access to Creative Nonfiction archives provides students with opportunities and resources to further hone their writing skills and prepare for future careers,” said Dr. Kristine Blair, dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts. “Additionally, this new anthology underscores how writers can cross disciplines to amplify voices and tell complex stories—skills vital for success in today’s job market.”

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of more than 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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