It’s one of life’s big milestones, though for those of us who grew up listening to the Beatles, perhaps an even bigger one is sixty-four. When patients brought it up and lamented the passage of time, I’d relate this story: I remember when I turned forty I said to...

Humbled, inspired, and hopeful. In that order. That’s how I felt after attending my first TEDMED conference. It’s a TED conference centered around medicine, public health, medical science innovation, with remarkable stories of human perseverance, resilience, and...

We all know what, in 1888, Rudyard Kipling pronounced to be the world’s oldest profession. But what’s the world’s second oldest? Hunter-gatherer? Nah, everybody did that. Primitive politician? That’s a tautology. Neolithic attorney? Nope. Too similar to the oldest. I...

I learned a good lesson in doctoring from Paul McCartney. Sir Paul, if we want to get formal about it. My wife and I went to one of his shows, and aside from re-living the soundtrack of our lives, we also were struck by how fresh and personal the concert felt. If you...

Monday morning and no place to go. After 35 years of practicing medicine and GI, including a year of eager anticipation, the day had arrived when there were no patients in my schedule. Nor would there be tomorrow. Nor the next day. Nor… I was happily accustomed to a...