Ken Brigham is Emory University emeritus professor of medicine. His medical education was at Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins and the University of California San Francisco. He has served in numerous leadership roles at the National Institutes of Health, has served as editor for several scientific publications, has edited three science books, and has published over four hundred original works in the scientific literature. He also served as president of the American Thoracic Society, the principal professional organization in his area of specialty. He served on the medical faculty at Vanderbilt for thirty-nine years before joining the Emory faculty in 2002. Most recently he was associate vice president for health affairs at Emory, a position from which he retired in 2012. Michael M.E. Johns is currently professor of medicine and public health at Emory University, where he served as chancellor from 2007 until 2012. His career at Emory began in 1996 when he was appointed executive vice president for health affairs, CEO of the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center, and chairman of the Board of Emory Healthcare. He previously served as dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and vice president for medicine at Johns Hopkins University from 1990 to 1996. Dr. Johns received his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and his medical degree with distinction at the University of Michigan Medical School. From 1977 to 1984 he was a faculty member at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. The recipient of numerous honors and awards, he is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and has served in leadership positions in many organizations.
A wonderful exploration into the nature of uncertainty in medicine and diagnosis. Medical care is at its best when the interaction between doctor and patient is collaborative; this book written by two preeminent physicians with deep insights into the profession gives us as patients great tools to be empowered. --Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone The Good Doctor should be required reading for anyone going into medicine. --Daniel Barrow, Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery, Emory University Every American could benefit from this roadmap to navigate health care for themselves and their loved ones. Drs. Brigham and Johns, two highly respected giants in medicine, present an honest analysis of health care today. --Marty Makary, MD, Johns Hopkins professor and author of The Price We Pay As recent world events have shown, even the most experienced doctors are constantly being confronted with daunting new challenges. This field guide to modern medicine explores how uncertainty can fuel innovation--and reminds us why we're better off choosing a physician who asks the right questions than one who has all the answers. --Alex Gorsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson & Johnson In my fifty years as a doctor, I've not read as engrossing, wise, and important a nonfiction book about the practice of medicine. These two experienced and sage clinicians, in a vibrant partnership, have cut to the core of what makes a good doctor, which is 'Not Who You Think.' The key is to hold and use uncertainty, which leads to the healer's goal: to be human in medicine. Bravo. --Samuel Shem, Professor of Medicine at NYU, author of Man's 4th Best HospitalThe House of God When it comes to health, making the right choices are important. So too, when choosing a doctor. In The Good Doctor Drs. Brigham and Johns share their insights regarding what are the characteristics to seek and to avoid when choosing a physician. Replete with illustrative stories, they share their perspectives gained through decades as practicing physicians at leading major medical institutions and their personal experiences as patients. They have combined their deep understanding of the current realities of medicine with the timeless truth that medicine is a person-to-person interaction to author this balanced and timely guide for all interested in choosing the 'right' physician. --James O. Woolliscroft, MD, MACP, FRCP, Lyle C. Roll Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine and Learning Health Sciences, and Dean Emeritus, University of Michigan Medical School