News Releases

New York Times Writer Lisa Belkin Joins California High School Anatomy Students Touring Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center

Houston, Texas, April 24, 2006 – On April 24 and 25, 2006, New York Times writer Lisa Belkin will join medical professionals and advanced anatomy high school students and their instructor, Nancy Bowman, at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center for an in-depth look at real and difficult healthcare considerations confronting acute care hospitals nationwide.

The students, from Westlake High School, Thousand Oaks, Calif. have read Belkin’s acclaimed book, “First, Do No Harm.” which explores the complexities of healthcare, including the extraordinary end-of-life ethical challenges and other dilemmas facing today’s medical ethics committees, practitioners, patients and their families. The book is required reading in many U.S. medical colleges and universities.
During their visit, the students will tour Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, witness an advanced surgical procedure, learn how patients are triaged in the emergency room and get an up-close look at state-of-the-art, life-saving equipment onboard the hospital’s four Life Flight air-ambulance helicopters.

“This is an exciting opportunity for these young students,” said Richard Castriotta, M.D., chair of Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center’s Ethics Committee and a professor of medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. “Many of these students are considering careers in medicine and this tour is another catalyst to help them understand some of the challenging issues they will face as they prepare to become tomorrow’s healthcare providers.”

Belkin’s visit comes nearly a year after two controversial end-of-life cases at other Houston hospitals gained widespread public attention.

Editor's Note: Belkin’s book, “First Do No Harm,” is based on work she did over three years with the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Ethics Committee. This included observing the committee, and interviewing patients and their families to present real-life dilemmas and outcomes.    

For more information, contact Media Relations.