“I’m going to build my own f—ing hospital. And there will be none of that there, thank you.”

Dr Paul Farmer can get testy at times. He helped raise money to get blood bank equipment at a rural hospital in Haiti. He was pissed when he found out the hospital was going to charge patients in advance to access it, so he takes matters into his own hands. He states earlier in the book, “I”m an action kind of guy.”

And yes, he does build his own f—ing hospital. And he does not charge patients for it’s services. The story is told in Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder.

The book illuminates the many journeys of Dr Farmer and his work to serve the poorest in the world. We see him go from Alabama, to Harvard Medical School, to rural Haiti, south to Peru and across the Atlantic to Russia to name just a few destinations. But the book, like it’s primary subject, is anchored in Haiti, the western hemisphere’s poorest country.

Dr Farmer’s quest is an inspiring story for anyone, but it has special resonance for those interested in medicine. Reading the book for a second time recently has re-oriented my reasons for going into medicine. I remembered why I wanted to be a physician and travel.

Everyone goes into medicine for different reasons. I am in no place to judge whether certain motivations are superior to others. I only know what makes sense to me. And to me using my knowledge and influence as a physician to serve the poor, well it fits with who I am.

I want to serve those in need. I want to increase access to vaccines, antibiotics and prevention programs. I want to study global public health and make a contribution. I am under no illusion that I want to do this because I am some selfless human being. I want to do it because I think it will be fulfilling and it fits with my faith background.

While Paul Farmer is an inspiration to me, I do not wish to model my life after him. His life really serves best as an example of someone who cares deeply about people and translates that intense passion into meaningful work. And that is something I will always support.

Read more about the organization Farmer helped to start, Partners In Health. They are doing great work in Haiti.

Has anyone else read Mountains Beyond Mountains? What did you think?

This is the best list of relevant websites, articles and blogs regarding the pre med journey that you will find on the internet. Bookmark this. I’ll be updating the list as I find more useful info.

Pre Med Basics

• Pre-requisites for Medical Schools. These are the undergraduate classes you need to take to apply to most medical schools.
• American Association of Medical Colleges
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
• AspiringDocs.org List of Helpful Links
• Top Ten Pieces of Advice for Pre Med Students – A great list from VitumMedicinus, a medical student.
• Student Doctor Network – Want a place to interact with other crazy pre med students? This place is for you. Also useful for reading perspectives of students and residents further along the pre med journey. I prefer to use it for this reason.

MCAT Links

Perhaps the most dreaded part of the pre med journey. Be not afraid.

• The Basic MCAT Overview – A brief guide to what the MCAT is all about.
• MCAT home page
• 2010 MCAT Test Dates
• MCAT Registration
• MCAT Question of the Day

Medical School Application

• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) – Registration and instructions for applying to MD schools.
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) – Application instructions to apply to DO schools.

Best Books for Pre Meds

These are books that I have either read and used or heard great things about.

• Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World
• Planning a Life in Medicine: Discover If a Medical Career is Right for You and Learn How to Make It Happen (Career Guides)
• Med School Confidential: A Complete Guide to the Medical School Experience: By Students, for Students
• Essays That Will Get You into Medical School
• Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance
• How Doctors Think

Pre Med and Med Student Blogs

• Medaholic – Medical Student
• A Med school Memoir – Medical Student
• Vitum Medicinus – Medical Student
• The Impossible Pre Med – Pre Med Student

Pre Med Forums

• StudentDoctor.net pre-Allopathic forum (MD)
• StudentDoctor.net pre-Osteopathic forum (DO)
• The Best Pre Med Forums