Palliative Care: Something We All Want
Oct 08, 2017
As a hospice physician – in addition to my role as a doctor who treats cancer – much of my focus is on comfort care. Part of my motivation to ... continue
What I Learned in Medical School That Was Wrong
May 14, 2017
I recently attended my 30th medical school reunion at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. It was a grand time of reminiscing and reconnecting with war buddies from the ... continue
The Role of the Hospital Ethics Committee
Jun 07, 2016
For most of my 25 years in medical practice, I have been involved in hospital ethics committees. You may not know that ethics committees exist, or that there are ... continue
Jimmy Carter's Cancer Revelation
Sep 01, 2015
When a current or former President of the United States has a major health problem, it is international news. And when a former president has cancer, we all take ... continue
Recognizing Stages of Grief
Jan 06, 2015
My father recently passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 81. What a devastating disease! He lasted a mere two months. Thanks to attentive physicians and great hospice care ... continue
Living Between the Dates
Dec 02, 2014
As a cancer physician, reading obituaries is, unfortunately, part of my job description. I don't mean to be morbid about it. Not everyone who gets cancer dies from it ... continue
Being There for Those Who Suffer
Sep 02, 2014
Two articles appeared recently in major newspapers discussing how we can be more helpful to those who are suffering. The New York Times article by David Brooks (The Art of ... continue