SMU BubbleLife - https://smu.bubblelife.com
How the Art of Medicine Became a Business in the 21st Century

Michael Weisberg, M.D. believes in the power of role models.  When asked why he became a doctor, Weisberg immediately credits the kindness of his childhood pediatrician, Dr. Kopp.  Frequently sick as a child, Weisberg would receive regular house calls by Dr. Kopp.  Michael‘s father would describe to him how Dr. Kopp would carry his medical bag in one hand and with the other hand, he would pull himself up and climb step-by-step until he reached his room on the second floor.  “Here was a man who was stricken with polio as a child and as a result, lost the use of one of his legs,” says Weisberg, “ but that didn’t stop him from being a doctor.”  His pediatrician’s gentle disposition and perseverance inspired Weisberg to pursue medicine.

Today Dr. Weisberg reflects on medicine, his 24 years as a Gastroenterologist in Plano and the changes he has seen in the concept of doctor-patient relationships.  He has channeled both his experience and creative writing talent into the newly released novel, The Hospitalist.  

Q. Why did you write The Hospitalist?

MW.  First of all, I’ve written all my life.  My hobby and passion has always been writing.  I came across a problem in medicine that I felt no one was talking about or addressing; that when you became sick, your doctor no longer took care of you.  The doctor who had taken care of you for 5, 10 or 15 years was willing to take care of you as long as you were well.  However, once you were sick and went to the hospital, a whole new set of doctors took care of you. They were called ‘the hospitalists.’  These doctors didn’t know you or have any history of taking care of you.  Most of the time, things went well.  Doctors in America do a good job overall.  However, at times in the absence of having any history with a patient or not knowing the family’s wishes for the patient, disaster could strike.  Someone needed to write a book to illustrate how the art of medicine has become the business of medicine in the 21st century.

 Q.  What do you think is a key takeaway from your book?

 MW. “When you go to the hospital, it’s best to have an advocate with you - someone in the family or close friend that can be with you.  That person knows that your medication list has been given correctly, that you are seeing the proper doctors and that things are progressing the way they should.   

 Join Dr. Weisberg on Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 pm - The Forum at Park Lane - Dallas - 75225 as he allows us more than a bedside view into a riveting novel of various characters who come in and out of each other’s lives and how they affect each other. 

 Autographed paperback copies of The Hospitalist, will be available for purchase.  Enjoy this short video clip below from Dr. Weisberg. 

  

 Quick recap of this complimentary event: 

Dr. Michael Weisberg and Author of The Hospitalist
Practicing Gastroenterologist in Plano for 24 years
Recognized as a Super-Doctor by Texas Monthly 
Named to D Magazine's list of best doctors 8 times   

Tuesday, June 16th  - The Forum at Park Lane - 7831 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225 

6:00 pm - Complimentary Appetizers & Beverages - inside The Robertson Room

6:30 pm - Dr. Weisberg's discussion 

Questions?  Contact Diane Feffer at diane.feffer@me.com OR 972-670-7078  

Tuesday, 02 June 2015