Bernard Lown posted a blog post

US Media: Unending Frustration (Part III) (Essay 24)

Bernard Lown, MD If transformed into a Martian, I would be in utter awe of the power of the US media to shape global opinion. At no time was this more evident than during the Cold War, when the US, … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Black Blood Must Not Contaminate White Folks (Essay 25)

Bernard Lown, MD In the mid-20th century the Johns Hopkins Medical School was at the apogee for training doctors in the US. My matriculating there was a fluke. Every other medical school I had applied to rejected me. It was … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Wives, Yes; Husbands, No (Essay 26)

Bernard Lown, MD The above title, instead of enlightening, mystifies. Is this some sort of reverse sexism or political correctness gone awry? Actually, it reflects a deep clinical truth that took me years to fathom. Wives know more about their … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Enormity of US Military impedes nuclear abolition (Essay 27)

Bernard Lown, MD Among antinuclear activists there is a sense of jubilant expectation that at last a demonic class of genocidal weapons will soon be consigned to the junk heap of history. Left behind will be a shudder of memory … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

A Maverick’s Lonely Path in Cardiology (Essay 28)

Bernard Lown, MD As I have just passed my 90th birthday, writing this essay reminds me of Machiavelli’s admonition when he was receiving final Communion on his deathbed. “Renounce the devil and embrace the Lord,” intoned the priest. A long … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Social Responsibility of Physicians (Essay 29)

Bernard Lown, MD Address presented at Avoiding Avoidable Care Conference April 26, 2012 Introduction Ever since starting clinical practice 62 years ago I have looked forward to this conference. Mercifully, good fortune and good genes enable me to attend.  From … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Doctor as scientist, healer, magician, business entrepreneur, small shopkeeper, or assembly line worker — which is it? (Essay 30)

Doctor as scientist, healer, magician, business entrepreneur, small shopkeeper, or assembly line worker — which is it? Bernard Lown, MD June 26, 2012 In the tumultuous debate about health care convulsing public discourse, the focus is on escalating costs and … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

The Coronary Artery Entrapment

The Coronary Artery Entrapment Bernard Lown, MD   Essay 31 What propelled the transformation of medicine from a humanitarian profession to a costly technocracy? It has seemingly happened in a single lifetime, and I witnessed much of it. Let me … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Power to the people: Patient in command

Blog Essay 32* Bernard Lown, MD Benedictions to patient-centrism, patient privacy, patient autonomy — everything-for-the-patient rhetoric — flow from the pervasive PR of the health establishment. The more I hear these jingles, the more my heart skips a beat. At … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown posted a blog post

Nature has the upper hand. So far it has “gently” protested, but …

Nature has the upper hand. So far it has “gently” protested, but … Bernard Lown, MD Essay 33, Part 1 The planet is warming. Facts are marching in battalions, their steps in cadence, their destination known. The few contrarian scientists … Continue reading →

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March 6, 2015

Bernard Lown is now a member of Berrett-Koehler Community