These two books are some of my most prized medical possessions. The first, Combe's Physiology, is an 1843 edition of a text by Andrew Combe, MD, "Physician Extraordinaire to the Queen in Scotland and Consulting Physician to the King and Queen of the Belgians." The title page takes care to note that 6 woodcuts appear …
An open letter to America’s patients
Imagine its 1846 and we’re in Vienna. You’ve just given birth and are waiting in your “child bed” to see the physician team, totally blind to the fact that you have a three times greater chance of dying (about 1 in 10) then the woman next to you being cared for by a midwife (about 1 …
Christmas Wishes
Having given thanks last weekend for the incredible wonders of the American healthcare system, and since Christmas is the time to ask for the things we dream about, I thought I'd start a small list of the things we'd like Santa to help us with in 2017 to really make a dent in improving America's …
Giving Thanks
I'm an incredibly fortunate guy. I have an amazing family, a fulfilling and healthy life, and a rewarding career as both a physician and a leader. I have much to give thanks for this holiday weekend, but today I give thanks to American healthcare system in which I've practiced medicine for nearly a decade. American medicine …
