Behind The Curtain: Remarkable Stories of What Really Happens in Medicine is a deeply impactful anthology of various stories from a diverse set of healthcare workers. Compiled by Ashley Hannani, this book is made up of raw, emotional experiences that exhibit the colossal role healthcare workers play in our society– the lives they touch and the toll it takes on them. Each author talks about a defining experience of their career that shaped them into who they are today.

The book paints an almost unrecognizable picture of medicine– with popular TV shows and movies romanticizing hospital heroism and striking headlines glorifying injuries and excitement. Through these profoundly personal experiences, the authors aim to give the readers a glimpse into what reality looks like behind the curtain of the hospital. This book illuminates the mysteries and magic of medicine. The authors come from diverse backgrounds with different specializations, from neurosurgeons and gynecologists to pediatricians and ER nurses. Through these stories, these inspiring individuals share their stories with the readers and the lessons they learned along the way. The different stories talk about how healthcare workers deal with death and loss, the patients they connect with, and how these moments impact them. Some experiences are heart-wrenching, some are inspiring, and others leave you feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

This is an exceptional anthology that I highly recommend. Some of the authors talk directly to the readers, especially ones who are medical students and new doctors. They encourage them to keep going, aiming to show them that there is a light at the end of the long tunnel. Most authors get vulnerable about their struggles, especially the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected the healthcare world. It truly makes one grateful for the immense work doctors and nurses put in and their bravery that saves lives every day.

Pages: 235