Healing Children

April 15, 2017
A veteran surgeon looks at how medicine has evolved through his pediatric-centered practice.With nearly 40 years of experience, Newman liberally shares a variety of personal stories and case histories from children in his clinical practice. He laments that pediatric medicine is "painfully undervalued and underfunded" while adult diseases garner the majority of the attention, financial support, and clinical investments within the American medical community. "We need to embrace as a society a new vision of pediatric healthcare that is logical, economical, and compassionate," writes Newman, "where the long arc of a child's life is envisioned." To illustrate the need to re-evaluate how children's medicine is perceived and to reprioritize its importance, the author introduces readers to some of the brave, resilient children he has treated throughout his coming-of-age surgical residencies and his long-standing tenure in pediatric medicine. He also spotlights many pioneering medical professionals who continue to be committed to the betterment of treating and healing ill children. Discussing how his career continued to ebb toward "more nuanced and empirical" beliefs in pediatric health care, Newman cites heart-rending instances of genetic abnormalities, cancer, severely underweight babies, and overprotective parents, all briskly described yet all carrying the emotional weight that accompanies an innocent child enduring a painful health crisis. Written primarily as a guide for parents navigating the unpredictable health of their children, the book also addresses the future of pediatric care, as Newman delves into the most innovative therapies and initiatives in development. As the current CEO of Children's National in Washington, D.C., the author sets forth a convincing argument to place children's medical requirements and their need to thrive well into adulthood at the forefront of American medicine, and he admits that "these kids have been my real teachers." Though there are more compelling and riveting dispatches from pediatric caregivers, Newman's compassionate approach hits the heart and soul of these unique experiences. A genuine and inspiring chronicle of a doctor fighting the good fight.

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May 1, 2017

A pediatric surgeon for more than 30 years, Newman (president, CEO, Children's National Hosp., Washington, DC) remembers his most notable experiences at Children's National Hospital. Throughout this memoir, which argues for greater availability of pediatric hospitals, he balances medical facts and lessons learned from patient interactions to confirm his argument that children's biological and psychological needs require the specialized treatment that pediatric hospitals are better equipped to provide. Compared to adults, children in general can be expected to recover from illness more easily and completely. This is especially the case when caregivers, facilities, and treatment are tailored to their needs. As Newman relates his own professional development from new surgeon to chief of surgery to CEO, readers will undoubtedly see an individual dedicated to the advancement and improvement of pediatric care. Parents will surely be encouraged in realizing the potential for a first-rate children's hospital or clinic to exist in their own city. VERDICT Highly recommended for parents and caregivers of young children and leaders of economic development boards or regional planning commissions.--Chad Clark, San Jacinto Coll. Dist., Pasadena, TX

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Newman, president and CEO of the highly rated Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., knows how to hook a reader. He begins by recounting how, 40 years ago, as a Duke medical student, he rubbed a spot below his Adam's apple and felt a lump: thyroid cancer. The experience of being cured motivated him to become a surgeon. He makes a compelling case for giving more resources to the painfully undervalued and underfunded field of children's medicine in a society that prioritizes adults and end-of-life care. (The U.S. boasts nearly 5,000 hospitals for general and adult care but just 35 independent children's hospitals.) Newman shares tales from the operating room (not all of them happy) and tips for parents. And he touches on such hot topics as the Zika virus, maternal depression, and FDA rules that are meant protect kids but can end up denying them life-saving treatment. As the nation tries to figure out how best to spend limited health-care dollars, it's helpful to consider Newman's strong argument for giving kids a fair share.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)