San Francisco is a beautiful city. The sun shines bright in the morning and ends with foggy afternoons where the old meets the new in a beautiful dance of history, culture, art, and innovation. The city is a collection of stories woven in a gorgeous tapestry, with each thread representing stories of love, resilience, and a deep commitment to healing. 

SAN FRANSISCO LEADS FROM THE FRONT

San Francisco has been a leading innovation, and that trend has been noticed in medicine. It was the first to provide free clinics in the United States to provide healthcare to those who could not afford it. New treatments are constantly being researched.

Some of its many medical milestones include The first heart transplant in the western United States. It has also been a significant contributor to the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is evident the city possesses the key to a brighter medical future that will surely benefit all. 

A CITY OF HEALING

San Francisco has a long history of medicine, from large hospitals overlooking the Pacific Ocean to smaller clinics in the mission district. Each shares the same duty and mission to aid and comfort its many citizens. 

In the 1960s and 70s, as the world underwent major changes, San Francisco’s medical professionals rose up to be champions of change, advocating for better patient care. One such story is that of Dr. Lewis Merritt, the titular character of Robert Pettit’s newest novel, the Long White Coat, a novel that is an ode to medical practitioners and the undying spirit of the city of San Francisco where the story is set.

CITY OF SOUL AND HEART

San Francisco’s true beauty lies in its residents’ spirit of helping and caring capacity. The city welcomes everyone, from renegades and rebels to anyone looking for peace and quiet. Robert’s writing is a true love letter to the city as the characters in his novel traverse the ups and downs of the medical field and their own lives, a feeling that anyone from any profession can feel, and when the going gets tough, all you need is a good friend and a walk through the city, and you’ll find your purpose again.

If you love San Francisco, appreciate the medical profession, or are just looking for an excellent read this summer, we highly recommend checking out The Long White Coat. Readers will fall in love with its diverse characters, rich storytelling, and provide a deep look into the field of medicine  

Author Information

1. Robert Pettit, M.D is an ear, nose, & throat surgeon living in Carmel, California. With an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and an M.D. from U.C. Irvine, his ENT residency training was at U.C. San Francisco School of Medicine where he later taught students as a member of the clinical faculty. As a pioneer in cochlear implant research, he was present and assisted in the birth of that amazing treatment for total deafness. His next book, “So that All Might Hear“, documents that experience.

An award-winning film producer and director, Dr. Pettit has also spent many years as a professional ceramist.

You can learn more about him and his work at: 

The Long White Coat