Soul searching one heartbeat at a time!

From Stethoscope to Wisdom by Andrew C.S. Koh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Working in healthcare is a rewarding experience, everyday is same but different at the same time. This field provides the opportunity to touch people’s lives and bring about positive outcomes. Every healthcare professional has a lifetime of stories that can motivate, transform, and move the population. “In the quiet between heartbeats, wisdom grows; in the fading echo of a stethoscope, a life’s meaning unfolds,” writes Dr. Andrew CS Koh in his memoir. Appropriately titled From Stethoscope to Wisdom – A Doctor’s Reflection is a 205-page volume full of wisdom, spirituality, medicine, and life experiences of someone who made his life mission to serve the sick and heal the hurting.
“This book is an autobiographical narrative that chronicles my journey from birth to retirement. I wrote this memoir as a lasting legacy for my family, friends, and loved ones. My hope is that my experiences will inspire and resonate with others who may find reflection in their own lives,” writes Dr. CS Koh in the prologue detailing his motivation for penning this memoir. The story of Koh’s life starts off from his home birth and christening ceremony where he is given the Cantonese name which translates to ‘praising the stars’ and moves on to his childhood in the town of Tanjong Malim. A vivid description of the town environs is notable here.
The story moves on to describe his parents as strong believers in superstitions who trusted in traditional Chinese medicine. This is one aspect of the memoir I am not a big fan of, even though scientifically educated as a doctor of modern medicine, Koh is quick to denigrate traditional Chinese medicine and spirituality as mere “superstition.” There are chapters dedicated to his knowledge and experiences as a healthcare provider, delivering compassionate care for patients in pain, facing death, suffering, and through it all the lessons he learnt about compassion, healing, and faith. This mixture of professional, personal, and spiritual insights make this book worth reading.
Written in a chatty, conversational, down-to-earth manner, this book comes across as an easy read. It is more like a conversation with a friend/ mentor/ philosopher and less like a preachy lecture of an academic. As a healthcare provider myself, I find this book honest, real, and spoken from the heart of a healer. I would recommend this book for people who are in healthcare and those who intend to make a career in healthcare.

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