The Northern California Science Writers Association, a regional professional group I belong to, holds quarterly dinner meetings at which high-powered invited scientists jump up from the table as …
Category: Physician stories
Why become a doctor? A simple remark that changed everything
Becoming a doctor was not part of the plan for Jeff Dunn, MD, who majored in French literature as an undergrad. But when he was …
From art to surgery: Stanford Medicine alumna reconstructs new ears for children
Some children are born with a missing or malformed small ear due to a rare congenital condition called microtia. In most cases, the child’s ear …
Lucky Larry: Reflections on a career in immunology and neurology
I became a science writer, in part, because I love the stories behind the science. Stories filled with real people with real lives. So I …
Stanford anesthesia faculty and staff share their hidden talents
It can be easy to assume that your co-workers’ talents don’t extend much past what they display in the office or the operating room — …
“What a lift to one’s morale”: Stanford physicians take time from busy schedules to discuss art
When Stanford physician Nawal Atwan Johansen, MD, read here on Scope about the Art Observation and Clinical Skills course offered to medical students, she thought, “This …
“I carry your heart”: Abraham Verghese on the doctor-patient relationship
Addressing a room full of cardiologists for the annual Simon Dack Lecture, writer and physician Abraham Verghese, MD, reflected on a love poem: e.e. cumming's …
Into the Magic Shop: Stanford neurosurgeon Jim Doty’s captivating memoir
When he was 12 years old, Stanford neurosurgeon Jim Doty, MD, met an unusual woman named Ruth in a magic shop in Lancaster, Calif., …
When Breath Becomes Air: A conversation with Lucy Kalanithi
A few months before he died, I interviewed Paul Kalanithi, MD, for a 1:2:1 podcast about a gorgeous article he wrote for Stanford Medicine entitled …
The making of a scientist — Stanford’s Irv Weissman under the Big Sky
Some people just seem larger than life. That's certainly the case with stem cell scientist Irving Weissman, MD. His presence fills a room whether he's speaking …
Physician-writer Abraham Verghese on ritual, technology and medical training
Listening to Abraham Verghese, MD, is always a treat, so I quickly clicked on a recently published Q&A featuring Verghese in conversation with Steven Stack, …
The ups and downs in my path to dermatology
I went into medical school determined to be an ophthalmologist. A close family friend of mine is a great ophthalmologist and loves his job, which …
This breast cancer is mine: When doctors get sick
As the death last year of neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi, MD, reminded us all, successful physicians aren't protected from the onslaught of medical maladies that can …
Paul Kalanithi’s book will probably make you cry
Just over a year ago, I received a first draft of an article for Stanford Medicine magazine that electrified me. It was gorgeous. It was …
A word with Karl Deisseroth
This 1:2:1 podcast features a conversation with optogenetics pioneer, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Karl Deisseroth.
This 1:2:1 podcast features a conversation with optogenetics pioneer, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Karl Deisseroth.
Abraham Verghese: “It’s a great time for physician leaders to embrace design thinking”
Next spring, the School of Medicine and Graduate School of Business here will team up to offer a new, one-week residential program for health-care executives. Called …