History of Medicine

I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygeia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant. On my desk sits a bust of Hygeia, a mask from Venice, next to a small sculpture and a […]

“Dante and Shakespeare divide the modern world between them; there is no third.” —T.?S. Eliot “Abandon all hope ye who enter here.”—Dante Hell The humanities are a crucial companion any time, but particularly during times of crises. Stories that echo from the past remind us of the endless cycle of the human journey. From Boccaccio’s […]

The choices for conversations are either COVID or Netflix. Coronavirus or the latest binged show. Sports is no longer an option, unless you want to discuss how I made that putt in the homemade mini golf course. What’s for dinner or what’s the latest graph? We are all meteorologists during hurricane season and now epidemiologists […]

This is the time of year to sit back at night, in front of the fireplace, a cup of hot chocolate in hand, warming up after the coolness of the day. As I sip, I notice the marshmallows bobbing up and down and reflect on the impact those white confections have in medicine. Yes, marshmallows […]

My daughter dove for the tennis ball and came up with a winner and a bloody shin. Slipping on the tennis court, running and falling around the house, tripping up the stairs, stubbing toes. All signs of a kid moving too fast for the world around them. She’s at the age where she doesn’t come […]

The doctor opened the door after a gentle knock. He was greeted with warmth, offered a seat by Mary, and promptly sat down on the end of the hospital bed. As he sat, the family stood to greet him. They discussed the grandkids, the trips taken since they last saw each other. The room felt peaceful. Time slowed down. Walking in behind my […]