Steep Turn: A Physician's Journey From Clinic to Cockpit - Paperback

by David B. Crawley (Author)

Be prepared for laughter and tears in this behind-the-scenes peek into this doctor's life, with a twist that takes his career from the clinic to the cockpit as he embarks on a second profession as a commercial airline pilot. This fascinating memoir offers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of a young physician. Walk through the halls of the hospital with the author as a medical intern. Dash along on his calls as he rushes to attend dramatic scenes involving life and death. Watch as he saves a life by applying a theory he learned in medical school and performing a procedure he has studied from a book - if he's lucky, he has actually seen one done once. "See one, do one, teach one" is the refrain among all of his equally-inexperienced young colleagues. If he is nervous or unsure, he is nevertheless intrepid. He does what he believes must be done.This true-life narrative takes you through a thirteen-year segment of the author's life. It begins with a detailed description of life as a medical intern followed by a brief stint practicing rural medicine in the tiny town of Grand Coulee, Washington, as a fresh new physician. The story continues with an account of his duties as a naval flight surgeon during the Vietnam War years and, finally, his experience in private practice in a small resort town in North Idaho. Throughout the period, he questions his choice of a career in medicine and struggles with the decision to leave it all behind to pursue a lifetime dream.You'll enjoy it all in this well-written memoir that is factual, informative, honest, and, at times, cleverly humorous.

Author Biography

David Crawley fulfilled his mother's dream of her son become a doctor. For all that, the young Dr. Crawley turned his back on a successful medical career to follow his own dream. His mother's instilled work ethic resulted in a goal and a career beyond the one she intended. The doctor's kaleidoscope of experiences along the way provided him with exciting, and sometimes unbelievable, stories to tell. The author is described by friends and family as a "natural-born storyteller," and you will hear his voice and share his struggles as he makes life-and-death decisions for his patients and life-altering ones for himself.