Life on the Ground Floor : Letters From the Edge of Emergency Medicine

"A celebrated humanitarian doctor's unique perspective on sickness, health and what it is to be alive. In this deeply personal book, humanitarian doctor and activist James Maskalyk, author of the highly acclaimed Six Months in Sudan, draws upon his experience treating patients in the world's emergency rooms. From Toronto to Addis Ababa, Cambodia to Bolivia, he discovers that although the cultures, resources and medical challenges of each hospital may differ, they are linked indelibly by the ground floor: the location of their emergency rooms. Here, on the ground floor, is where Dr. Maskalyk witnesses the story of "human aliveness"--Our mourning and laughter, tragedies and hopes, the frailty of being and the resilience of the human spirit. And it's here too that he is swept into the story, confronting his fears and doubts and questioning what it is to be a doctor. Masterfully written and artfully structured, Life on the Ground Floor is more than just an emergency doctor's memoir or travelogue--it's a meditation on health, sickness and the wonder of human life."-- Résumé de l'éditeur *Canada Reads 2019 Longlist *Winner of the 2017 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction Do no harm is our most important rule, but we break it all the time trying to do good. In this deeply personal book, winner of the 2017 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction, humanitarian doctor and activist James Maskalyk reflects upon his extensive experience in emergency medicine. Splitting his time between a trauma centre in Toronto's inner city and the largest teaching hospital in Addis Ababa, he discovers that though the cultures, resources and medical challenges of the hospitals may differ, they are linked indelibly by the ground floor: the location of their emergency rooms. Here, on the ground floor, is where Maskalyk confronts his fears and doubts about medicine, and witnesses our mourning and laughter, tragedies and hopes, the frailty of being and the resilience of the human spirit. Yet, he is swept most intimately into this story of "human aliveness" not as a physician, but as a grandson carrying for his grandfather, now in his nineties. Masterfully written and artfully structured, Life on the Ground Floor is more than just an emergency doctor's memoir—it's a meditation on health and sickness, on when to hang on tight, and when to let go. "A celebrated humanitarian doctor's unique perspective on sickness, health and what it is to be alive. In this deeply personal book, humanitarian doctor and activist James Maskalyk, author of the highly acclaimed Six Months in Sudan, draws upon his experience treating patients in the world's emergency rooms. From Toronto to Addis Ababa, Cambodia to Bolivia, he discovers that although the cultures, resources and medical challenges of each hospital may differ, they are linked indelibly by the ground floor: the location of their emergency rooms. Here, on the ground floor, is where Dr. Maskalyk witnesses the story of "human aliveness"--Our mourning and laughter, tragedies and hopes, the frailty of being and the resilience of the human spirit. And it's here too that he is swept into the story, confronting his fears and doubts and questioning what it is to be a doctor. Masterfully written and artfully structured, Life on the Ground Floor is more than just an emergency doctor's memoir or travelogue--it's a meditation on health, sickness and the wonder of human life."-- Résumé de l'éditeur "A celebrated humanitarian doctor's unique perspective on sickness, health and what it is to be alive. In this deeply personal book, humanitarian doctor and activist James Maskalyk, author of the highly acclaimed Six Months in Sudan, draws upon his experience treating patients in the world's emergency rooms. From Toronto to Addis Ababa, Cambodia to Bolivia, he discovers that although the cultures, resources and medical challenges of each hospital may differ, they are linked indelibly by the ground floor: the location of their emergency rooms. Here, on the ground floor, is where Dr. Maskalyk witnesses the story of "human aliveness"--our mourning and laughter, tragedies and hopes, the frailty of being and the resilience of the human spirit. And it's here too that he is swept into the story, confronting his fears and doubts and questioning what it is to be a doctor. Masterfully written and artfully structured, Life on the Ground Floor is more than just an emergency doctor's memoir or travelogue--it's a meditation on health, sickness and the wonder of human life."-- Provided by publisher A Celebrated Humanitarian Doctor's Unique Perspective On Sickness, Health And What It Is To Be Alive. In This Deeply Personal Book, Humanitarian Doctor And Activist James Maskalyk, Author Of The Highly Acclaimed Six Months In Sudan, Draws Upon His Experience Treating Patients In The World's Emergency Rooms. From Toronto To Addis Ababa, Cambodia To Bolivia, He Discovers That Although The Cultures, Resources And Medical Challenges Of Each Hospital May Differ, They Are Linked Indelibly By The Ground Floor- The Location Of Their Emergency Rooms. Here, On The Ground Floor, Is Where Dr. Maskalyk Witnesses The Story Of Human Aliveness--our Mourning And Laughter, Tragedies And Hopes, The Frailty Of Being And The Resilience Of The Human Spirit. And It's Here Too That He Is Swept Into The Story, Confronting His Fears And Doubts And Questioning What It Is To Be A Doctor. Aaaa Masterfully Written And Artfully Structured, Life On The Ground Flooris More Than Just An Emergency Doctor's Memoir Or Travelogue--it's A Meditation On Health, Sickness And The Wonder Of Human Life. **A celebrated humanitarian doctor's unique perspective on sickness, health and what it is to be alive.**__Six Months in Sudan__Masterfully written and artfully structured,is more than just an emergency doctor's memoir or travelogue--it's a meditation on health, sickness and the wonder of human life.