Overview

In turn heartbreaking, irreverent, moving—and at times raucously humorous—one of the nation's leading pediatric researchers recounts his first years as a newly minted, stuggling, and insecure doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. A graduate of a state university medical school, Scott Rivkees was competing with elite students from some of the most prestigious schools in the country. Nervous and uncertain, he worked unholy hours with patients ranging from indigent street people to celebrity guests drawn to the reputation and care offered by Mass General.Along the way he learned what medical school textbooks don't teach: how to deal with immense pressure, exhaustion, unruly patients, mysterious conditions, the joy of saving a life, and the wrenching suddenness of losing a patient, more often than not a young child. His resident education did not prevent him from losing his sense of irony and humor as he recounts bleary nights on the town, the allure of young nurses, substandard housing, and the value of pricking an inflated ego.

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9780762794539

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Reviews

From the mythical Marcus Welby to the heroes and heroines of ER to the maverick Dr. House, the public has been fascinated by the training and lives of physicians. Scott Rivkees expands on the myth with his insightful, at times irreverent, recollections of his residency training at 'Man's Greatest Hospital.' Most of all, Rivkees amply demonstrates that physicians--especially the best and the brightest --are human, subject to the usual human frailties, but also dedicated to providing the cutting-edge, scientific care for which our leading teaching hospitals--like MGH--are renowned. --Myron Genel, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Senior Research Scientist, Yale University A hilarious yet poignant account of a young physician's transformation from a medical student to a fully trained doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Scott Rivkees shares the highs and lows of becoming a physician while providing an insider's view of the inner workings of 'Man's Greatest Hospital' and the life of a resident living in Boston. I both laughed out loud and cried as I read this very entertaining and worthwhile book that manages to bring the House of God into the 21st century. --Christopher Breuer, MD, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Harvard University, Yale University, and Ohio State University A lively collection of personal tales that capture the training experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital. These fast-paced narratives through the eyes of a very perceptive physician provide a broad panorama of medical care. An appreciation for the nurturing and demanding academic mentors found in 'Man's Greatest Hospital' shines through, and these narratives and document the very essence of the apprenticeship required to mold young trainees into some of our finest academic physicians. --Frederick Southwick, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Florida Dr. Rivkees is one of the leading p

""Fast-paced memoir.""—Wall Street Journal""Amusing medical stories as seen through the eyes of a new doctor.""—Kirkus Review""Rivkees . . . documents his time at Mass General with wit, humor, and at times, sadness. Just two months out of medical school, Rivkees encountered his first meningitis case—an eight-week-old girl. It's cases like this that make the book a worthwhile read because we get to see what happens inside one of the country's top hospitals through the eyes of a green freshman.""—Boston Magazine""A new humorous — and at times serious — memoir . . . highlights what residency is truly like, and what the medical school textbooks don't teach, like how to survive long weeks, sleepless nights and whirlwind days at the hospital.""—University of Florida Health

From the mythical Marcus Welby to the heroes and heroines of ER to the maverick Dr. House, the public has been fascinated by the training and lives of physicians. Scott Rivkees expands on the myth with his insightful, at times irreverent, recollections of his residency training at MGH ( Man's Greatest Hospital ). Most of all Rivkees amply demonstrates that physicians--especially the best and the brightest --are human, subject to the usual human frailties, but also dedicated to providing the cutting edge, scientific care for which our leading teaching hospitals--like MGH--are renowned. --Myron Genel, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Senior Research Scientist, Yale University A hilarious yet poignant account of a young physician's transformation from a medical student to a fully trained doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Scott Rivkees shares the highs and lows of becoming a physician while providing an insider's view of the inner working of Man's Greatest Hospital and the life of a resident living in Boston. I both laughed out loud and cried as I read this very entertaining and worthwhile book that manages to bring the House of God into the 21st century. --Christopher Breuer, MD, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Harvard University, Yale University, and Ohio State University A lively collection of personal tales that capture the training experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital. These fast paced narratives through the eyes of a very perceptive physician provide a broad panorama of medical care. An appreciation for the nurturing and demanding academic mentors found in Man's greatest hospital shines through and these narratives and document the very essence of the apprenticeship required to mold young trainees into some of our finest academic physicians. --Frederick Southwick, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Florida Dr. Rivkees is one of the leading pediatric endocrinologis

Fast-paced memoir. -Wall Street Journal Amusing medical stories as seen through the eyes of a new doctor. -Kirkus Review Rivkees ... documents his time at Mass General with wit, humor, and at times, sadness. Just two months out of medical school, Rivkees encountered his first meningitis case-an eight-week-old girl. It's cases like this that make the book a worthwhile read because we get to see what happens inside one of the country's top hospitals through the eyes of a green freshman. -Boston Magazine A new humorous - and at times serious - memoir ... highlights what residency is truly like, and what the medical school textbooks don't teach, like how to survive long weeks, sleepless nights and whirlwind days at the hospital. -University of Florida Health

Author Information

Scott A. Rivkees, MD, is a world-renowned leader in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology. He graduated from Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed his post-graduate medical training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and he has held faculty appointment at Harvard Medical School, Yale University, and Indiana University. He is currently professor and chairman of pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine and physician-in-chief of Shands Children's Hospital.

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