Symbols Matter

Flags are symbols that tell a story that is generally reflective of history and heritage. Those who display the flag are expressing their belief in whatever it symbolizes.  Sometimes, there are differing interpretations of what a flag stands for. But not always. Here are a few facts: The Nazi flag was designed by Adolf Hitler.…

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History and Heritage: Facts and Stories

History and heritage are all over the news these days, magnified by the recent tragic events in Charlottesville.  These words are closely linked, and both are composed largely of stories, rather than facts.  While history is often thought of as facts and events, we rarely confine ourselves to these elements, because, as humans, we seek…

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Why I Write What I Write

I am preparing to give a brief talk about my new novel, Back Side Of A Hurricane, and when I talk about my novels, and try to answer the question, “What’s it about?” I always focus on theme rather than plot. Literary fiction writers, it seems to me, write about themes, and use plot as…

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What She Said

William Faulkner once said that writing was his meat and his drink, or something similar to that. Well, stories are my meat and my drink, whether I am writing them or reading them. I am fascinated by the power of stories, and try to convey their power through writing and speaking and teaching. Sometimes I…

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The Story Garden

Last night, I had the honor and pleasure of speaking to a book club in Allen, Texas, where the topic of discussion was my first novel, Holy Water. We had a delightful evening of good food, a little wine, and lively conversation about my book. I love hearing from readers, who bring their own perspective…

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Health Care Reform Deserves Better

Not long ago, I became a patient.  I was sitting at my desk, writing in a journal, when suddenly things became unsteady. I’d had a previously dizzy spell a couple of days ago, and since I’m a doctor, I recognized it as vertigo, and knew that it most likely represented age-related changes in the balance…

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Be Still

In my talk in Charleston a little more than a week ago, I spoke about a four-part prescription to help medical students avoid burnout.  Well, although burnout affects medical students more than other similar-aged young adults, it is a threat for us all.  One element of the prescription involves mindfulness, which involves stopping what you’re…

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A Prescription For Doctors-To-Be

I travel once again to Charleston this week. I love the city for its architecture, its history, its food, and its relationship to the water. But this week, I’m going to speak to a group of dedicated people who are doing wonderful, important work.  The meeting where I am speaking is the Southeastern Association of…

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Caring For The Next Generation of Caregivers

I had lunch yesterday with the Dean of the Honors College at The University of Texas at Dallas, and with the faculty director of the PACT program at UTD, a collaboration with UT-Southwestern medical school that allows highly-qualified high school students to complete undergraduate and medical education in seven years instead of the usual eight.…

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Every Picture Tells A Story

Stories are with us always, in everything we do, I think, and for me, that has been particularly true these last few months, as I teach my class to premedical students about the power of narrative, and as I work on final production of my second novel, Back Side Of A Hurricane. For the past…

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