A group of a hundred travelers got lost in the wilderness, and found themselves caught in a thunderstorm. They were able to find shelter in an old abandoned barn. As they cowered in the barn, lightning struck not far in front of it. Then it struck again, this time closer. And again, closer still, edging …
Let me summarize the arguments we've heard defending the Trump administration practice of separating children from their families at the border: We’re not taking children away from their parents and putting them in cages. But if we are then it’s Obama’s fault. And if it’s a new policy it’s because the Democrats aren’t letting Republicans …
My father's story has been one of lifelong struggle, of a man driven by love for his family, a moral compass he inherited from his father (who inherited it from his father before him), and pure, fiery passion. It's the story of a man who was never destined for wealth and whom fate was rarely …
Continue reading “I will sell my plates and bowls, but I will educate my kids.”
The Google Doodle this morning is honoring the birthday of Dr. Virginia Apgar. She was truly one of the most remarkable physicians in the history of medicine. Read her story in Dr. Atul Gawande's 2006 New Yorker article "The Score": https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/10/09/the-score After graduating from the surgical residency at Columbia, she was told by her department chairman, …
Continue reading “Tell Momma all about it”: A tribute to Dr. Virginia Apgar
Let us take this Mother’s Day to reflect on the awesomeness of Mom— specifically, let us all together reflect on the awesomeness of my mom. Momma Sampat was born in Kenya in an Indian family, the oldest daughter of a hardworking goldsmith and a teacher. The brilliant lady she is now was a brilliant, highly …
With the Sun more than 75% covered, it still felt like a bright sunny day; without my eclipse glasses, I wouldn't have known anything unusual was going on. The Sun is bright enough to completely hide the Moon with its glow. Then, as we started to get closer to totality, it felt like a partly …
Continue reading When time stood still: The total solar eclipse of 2017
I write occasionally for GomerBlog, which is a satirical medicine news site—basically, The Onion for medicine. Here's my latest post, about our obsession with the antibiotic azithromycin, better known as the "Z-Pack," and why we need to stop using it so much: http://gomerblog.com/2018/04/a-break-up-letter-to-the-z-pack/
Last year, during the height of the debate over the Affordable Care Act and the future of Medicaid, I published an op-ed in STAT News, telling my story and the story of one of my patients. You can read it here: https://www.statnews.com/2017/08/08/medicaid-health-care-public-assistance/
On my way into work one evening, I was waiting to cross the street over towards my hospital and I was standing next to a tan-skinned middle-aged stranger with a beard. He looked to me and apparently noticed I was also a tan-skinned bearded man. "As-salaam alaikum," he said to me with some hesitation in …
I have a whole routine down in the TSA Pre-Check line, to move things as smoothly as possible. Before I even make it up to the security counter, I’ve taken everything out of my pockets. My watch, wallet, keys, earphones—they all go into my jacket’s zip-up pocket. Except for my ID. That has to stay …
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