Overview

James Henry “Red” Duke Jr., MD, was an icon of twentieth-century medicine, a pioneer and visionary, and a lifelong son of Texas who, far from forgetting his roots, reveled in them. Bryant Boutwell's entertaining and meticulously researched biography of Red Duke, based on years of interviews with Duke and his family, friends, and colleagues as well as painstaking exploration of both public archives and personal papers and effects, not only pays tribute to a great surgeon and his influence but also crafts a detailed and intimate portrait of the man behind the larger-than-life television image. Not only did Duke found the Life Flight air ambulance service that helped place Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Texas Medical Center at the forefront of the nation's trauma units, he also advanced the use of media communications for reaching the public with both common-sense and cutting-edge health information. His famous tagline—“From the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston . . . I'm Dr. Red Duke”—delivered in the deadpan drawl of a Texan, could be heard in countless homes during the broadcast of the local evening news during the 1980s and 1990s. Beyond these accomplishments, Duke was an Eagle Scout, an ordained minister, a medical missionary, a conservationist, a hunting guide, and a tank commander. Featuring a wealth of previously unpublished images that help to chronicle Duke's life and storied career, I'm Dr. Red Duke opens with a foreword by fellow Houstonian George H. W. Bush, who calls Duke “one of the brightest Points of Light Barbara and I have had the privilege to know.”

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9781623496944

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If you are from Houston, you know the name Dr. James 'Red' Duke. His trademark bristly mustache, gold rimmed glasses, lanky Texas swagger, and heavy twang were second only to his colorful personality. . . . Dr. Duke was Texan to the core. When he was not sporting his scrubs he could be seen in his well-worn cowboy hat and cowboy boots. He was John Wayne in scrubs. --U.S. Representative Ted Poe, 2nd district of Texas--Ted Poe Red Duke was one of the legendary heroes of the Texas Medical Center, [with] his knowledge, skill, dedication, and the care of trauma ingenuity, which Bryant Boutwell has told brilliantly. --Richard E. Wainerdi, president emeritus, Texas Medical Center--Richard E. Wainerdi If there was any question about Dr. 'Red' Duke's claim to being a Texas icon, Bryant Boutwell put it to rest in his comprehensive biography, I'm Dr. Red Duke. . . . Boutwell has delivered some marvelous insight into this man. Through a series of interviews with Duke's family, friends, colleagues and patients, he has brought Dr. 'Red' Duke back to life and completed a book that will serve not only as a memorial to the iconic Texas doctor, but as a testimony of what the practice of medicine should be. --Texana Reads-- Texana Reads a focused and balanced look at one of the 20th century's most extraordinary and talented surgeons. It is worth reading as a study in greatness. --Galveston County Daily News-- Galveston County Daily News

Red Duke was one of the legendary heroes of the Texas Medical Center, [with] his knowledge, skill, dedication, and the care of trauma ingenuity, which Bryant Boutwell has told brilliantly. --Richard E. Wainerdi, president emeritus, Texas Medical Center--Richard E. Wainerdi If you are from Houston, you know the name Dr. James 'Red' Duke. His trademark bristly mustache, gold rimmed glasses, lanky Texas swagger, and heavy twang were second only to his colorful personality. . . . Dr. Duke was Texan to the core. When he was not sporting his scrubs he could be seen in his well-worn cowboy hat and cowboy boots. He was John Wayne in scrubs. --U.S. Representative Ted Poe, 2nd district of Texas

If you are from Houston, you know the name Dr. James 'Red' Duke. His trademark bristly mustache, gold rimmed glasses, lanky Texas swagger, and heavy twang were second only to his colorful personality. . . . Dr. Duke was Texan to the core. When he was not sporting his scrubs he could be seen in his well-worn cowboy hat and cowboy boots. He was John Wayne in scrubs. --U.S. Representative Ted Poe, 2nd district of Texas Red Duke was one of the legendary heroes of the Texas Medical Center, [with] his knowledge, skill, dedication, and the care of trauma ingenuity, which Bryant Boutwell has told brilliantly. --Richard E. Wainerdi, president emeritus, Texas Medical Center--Richard E. Wainerdi

Author Information

Bryant Boutwell was the inaugural John P. McGovern, MD, Professor of Oslerian Medicine at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston and a UT System distinguished teaching professor. He is also the author of John P. McGovern, MD: A Lifetime of Stories. He resides in Houston.

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