There is something unique about being able to share some of my experiences and personal memories with someone.  I have had the opportunity this past week to talk to interviewers not only about my book but about my outlook and feelings about life in general.   First, Corey Moss, Owner/Editor-in-Chief of Convergent AV, who produced a podcast for his blog.  Second, Joseph Goodwin, of www.Overthrownyc.com who writes a newsletter and plans to publish my comments as well as others he has obtained from “fighters” who have shown that struggle can lead to successes.

Here are a few things you will hear about in my interview with Corey:

· My background as a physician

· NYPD officer Stephen McDonald, a hero who was a quadriplegic

· Technologies used as a physician

· Changes I helped influence for the NYPD

· September 11, 2001 – my story of survival

· How I deal with tragedy

· Retirement

 One of the questions I’m frequently asked is how I cope with facing tragedy, the 9/11 events and the stresses of being a surgeon, and a police surgeon.  Joseph Goodwin remarked that many of the surgeons he’s met are “ice men” showing no emotion while I seemed like a “normal person.”  I’m quite happy to be a “normal person.”

 Despite what some folks may think, I do have emotions.  I’m not Mr. Spock and am affected by tragic and stressful events.  I think that over my years, I’ve become somewhat able to detach myself from these events and place them in perspective.  As a surgeon, and a trauma surgeon it is essential to remain in control.  Panic and rash decisions kill people and I’ve become conditioned over time to stay in control.  I think this has carried over to other events in life.

 I get nuts over little stuff.  Traffic, pushy crowds, people who sneak ahead on line, cold food at restaurants and undercooked steak is terrible.  Loud mouth people on public transportation talking on cell phones get me aggravated.

The real tragedies I’ve faced, the mass killings on 9/11 or the reality of more recent ones like in Las Vegas or Orlando would be overwhelming if one couldn’t put them in perspective.  Life must go on and I find my coping mechanism is to attempt to put them behind you and not continuously dwell on them. Instead of the platitude “thoughts and prayers” I think it quite important to address the reality of the situation and face the events. 

As I pointed out in the interview the actions of a small number of evil people can never be allowed to outweigh the reality of those who assisted, those who responded and those who believe in the good in the world.