A Doctor’s Odyssey

This book chronicles some of the defining events in the author's life as a physician, first in Britain and then the United States. The book not only describes multiple medical experiences in ways that are, simultaneously, entertaining, informative, and poignant, but also provides an illuminating contrast between two very different systems of western medicine in the last 22 years of the twentieth century. The book is divided into three parts. The first part deals with the three years following the author's graduation from the Welsh National School of Medicine in 1978, when the author worked as a medical house officer in several district general hospitals in Wales and England. The second part of the book deals with the unexpected death of the author's father in 1982, and the author's subsequent move to join the staff of a major teaching hospital affiliate in New York City. The final part of the book follows the author's medical career at that institution from resident to chief resident to cardiology fellow to attending physician to Associate Director of Medicine. In sum, the book provides a whirlwind tour of a twenty-two year medical odyssey that spans two continents, and is filled with experiences that are harrowing, hilarious and ultimately uplifting.

The author was born in 1956 in Paris, France to American parents. In 1958, the family moved to Geneva, Switzerland where he attended the International Shool, graduating in 1973. He then attended the Welsh National School of medicine and received his medical degree in 1978. Between 1978 and 1981, he worked in several district general hospitals in Wales and England. He moved to New York City in 1982. Between 1982 and 2000, he was, successively, a medical resident, chief resident, cardiology fellow, atttending physician, and Associate Director of the Department of Medicine at St’ Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, a major teaching hospital affiliate of Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, which granted him the academic title of Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine in 1998. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine (1985) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Cardiology (1987). The author left clinical practice in 2000, but was granted and retains Senior Attending Emeritus status at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital since 2006. He currently lives in northeastern PA with his wife, three children, and two dogs.