SCALPEL, SPIRIT AND SEEDS

This fast-moving autobiography captures the intriguing life of Dennis Carlson through his personal stories and changing professional careers. He began work in Ethiopia as a missionary doctor isolated by 100 miles from other medical resources; shamans and exorcists were active in the population he served. Later, Dr. Carlson led an innovative public health college in northern Ethiopia dealing with epidemics, famines and rebellious students.Another career change took him to Johns Hopkins University to create the School of Health Services for training health practitioners to work in underserved communities. When drought and famine hit Ethiopia again in the 1980s, he returned to assist in food distribution and community recovery. Carlson stayed in Ethiopia and assisted development of seven new health science colleges. He also led the introduction of family vegetable gardening in northern Ethiopia during a time of drought and social instability.This masterpiece will intrigue all who are interested in reading about a fascinating and challenging life. Those in health fields will find innovations Dr. Carlson made to be useful in many health crises.&quote;The reader will be rewarded with Dr. Carlson's sense of adventure, his sense of humor and his sense of mission and meaning.&quote; Greg Fricchione, Professor, Harvard University