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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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On Call summary
Anthony Fauci
A Doctor's Journey in Public Service
22 mins
Brief summary
On Call by Anthony Fauci chronicles the author's experiences and insights from decades in medicine and public health, detailing his role in various health crises and highlighting the importance of dedicated medical service.
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On Call
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A bright Brooklyn boy
Anthony Fauci’s journey began in Brooklyn. Born on Christmas Eve in 1940, his parents were first-generation Italian-Americans who married young and settled in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where they raised Fauci and his older sister, Denise.
Fauci recalls his childhood fondly. His father was a hardworking pharmacist, and the drugstore that he owned was a popular community hub. When he wasn’t at school, Fauci would help out at the store and deliver prescriptions on his bicycle.
Fauci thrived at school. He did well academically but he also loved sports and played on the school’s basketball team. He dreamed of going pro but soon realized that he wasn’t at the same level as some of his more athletic classmates. Instead, he focused on his interests in science and the humanities. Influential teachers at Regis High School helped him realize that becoming a physician would allow him to blend his love for science with his desire to help others.
In 1958, Fauci received a full scholarship to Holy Cross College, where he continued his pre-med studies. From there, he went to Cornell Medical College in 1962, where he became a student doctor and embarked on what was one of the most rewarding times in his life, working directly with patients and discovering a passion for clinical medicine.
Throughout his medical training, Fauci developed a keen interest in infectious diseases. The idea of combating diseases that were both deadly and curable captivated him. After his residency, he decided to join the Public Health Service, leading him to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, in 1968. There, at the age of 27, he began his fellowship in the emerging field of human immunology, studying the body’s defense mechanisms against infections and cancers.
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What is On Call about?
On Call (2024) is a unique memoir that offers an insider’s perspective on the challenges and triumphs of battling some of the most significant public health crises of our time. It provides valuable insights into the intersection of science, politics, and society, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of modern public health in the US.
Who should read On Call?
- People curious about infectious diseases
- Science buffs
- Anyone interested in the intersection of medicine and politics
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