The ongoing news reports of measles outbreaks in the United States and my concurrent readings for a course in Theories of Justice has gotten me thinking. A lot. I’m thinking about the undoing of medical progress and the unfortunate damage done by the now debunked Lancet study about a purported link between the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine…
Category: Literature
My 2018 Audiobooks
Well, it’s been months since I have posted anything, but it’s been a bit of a whirlwind! Between having baby #2, selling our home, moving to a new state, starting fellowship in Hospice & Palliative Care, and beginning to get my own health and well-being back on track, the blog had to be shifted to…
My 2017 Audiobooks
Last year was the first time I tried Audible, and I am still loving it! Though my work commutes are much shorter now, I still fit in listening to audiobooks at various times throughout the day. I have taken a break recently due to being sick, but I’m hoping to finish out my current book…
My 2016 Audiobooks
Earlier this year, my friend Annie inspired me to sign up for Audible and listen to one audiobook (or more!) per month. I am really glad I invested in this service because I love reading but have found it increasingly difficult to sit down with a good book. Over the past few years, I have…
The Book That Is Changing My Life
…is The Dirt Cure. Before I delve into that, I want to mention the other book I recently finished (on Audible): Grain Brain. I cannot even remember now where I first heard about Grain Brain, but I listened to it in full and was intrigued by its assertions. After reading more about the book and the…
Role Models for My Daughters: Mindy Kaling
“There are little Indian girls out there who look up to me, and I never want to belittle the honor of being an inspiration to them. But while I’m talking about why I’m so different, white male show runners get to talk about their art. I always get asked, ‘Where do you get your confidence?’…
Dr. Abraham Verghese on the Importance of Touch
Sometime during medical school, I heard about a book about treating patients during the onset of the AIDS epidemic in America. I was surprised and delighted to learn that the author, Abraham Verghese, was Indian, and, like me, his roots were from Kerala, India. Given my deep interest in HIV medicine and Infectious Diseases at the…
Not That Kind of Girl
I have to admit; I’ve only seen the first two or three episodes of HBO’s “Girls” starring Lena Dunham. I could not really get into the vibe of the show as it was not applicable to my own experience in my early twenties. There have been numerous articles and blog posts detailing, defending, and criticizing…
Recognizing Integrity
Integrity. What does integrity mean? I understand it to mean many things. Honesty, of course, and acting in a way that is acceptable, commendable, and honorable. The very sound of it is strong, almost provocative. It was not something I necessarily took for granted, but I used to understand it as inherent in everyone. If…
Turning Off Social Media: Why Happiness Depends on It
The other day, an old Alanis Morissette song came on the radio and I was reminded of my childhood neighbor, Ashley. Ashley and I had spent hours listening to Alanis’ first album. I got to thinking how Ashley was the one girl on my street who treated me as a true friend; her being Jewish…
An Open Letter to Jhumpa Lahiri
Dear Ms. Lahiri, It has been about two and a half years since I’ve read a novel from beginning to end. Residency sort of interferes with leisurely reading, especially when one’s mind is occupied with reading journals, studying for exams, and staring at computer screen trying to absorb a patient’s entire health history in a…
Immortality & Ethics: The Henrietta Lacks Case
In May 2018, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery installed this portrait of Henrietta Lacks while three of her grandchildren looked on. The fascinating story of this important woman was revealed in Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2010). I initially read this book during residency, then revisited it two years ago for a…
pen . paper . storm 