UA Neurosurgeon Dr. Allan Hamilton Examines The Spiritual Side of Medicine in New Book
March 19, 2008
Allan J. Hamilton, MD, professor of surgery at The University of Arizona, examines the connection between the physical and spiritual sides of healing in his just-released book, The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope.
At Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hamilton was trained to think logically, to look for physical evidence and to rely on hard facts when treating a patient. But when he began to interact with patients, he found himself unprepared to wrestle with the spiritual questions, crises and inexplicable events that he encountered.
In his 30 years of treating patients-many with malignant brain tumors-Dr. Hamilton, a renowned neurosurgeon, encountered many strange events that could not be explained by medical science alone. Not just uncanny coincidences, but near-death experiences, visions and premonitions experienced by him or his patients. Many of his colleagues admitted privately that they''d had similar experiences with patients, but weren''t comfortable revealing them to most people. Doctors are trained to disregard the inexplicable and the unbelievable, and anyone who talks publicly about such things risks damaging their credibility, Dr. Hamilton says.
In the Scalpel and Soul, Dr. Hamilton, recounts his own remarkable experiences both in and out of the operating room. In addition to sharing some fascinating stories, Dr. Hamilton also seeks to empower patients. While always encouraging patients to voice their spiritual needs when they seek medical help, he includes an appendix of "20 Rules to Live By," practical advice for patients and their loved ones to navigate through surgery or critical care.
"I started my journey as a doctor trying to understand the difference between the brain and the mind," Dr. Hamilton writes. "In the end, I also had to grapple with the conundrum of the soul."
Formerly the chairman of the Department of Surgery at the UA College of Medicine, Dr. Hamilton graduated with honors from Harvard Medical School and completed his neurosurgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He is the recipient of both the U.S. Cosman Award for Innovation and the International Lars Leksell Award for his pioneering contributions to the field of neurosurgery, and he is a past Fellow of the International Albert Schweitzer Foundation.
BOOK SIGNING: Dr. Hamilton will attend a book signing and discussion event on Tuesday, March 25, 4:30-6 p.m. at the UA Book Store, 1209 E. University Blvd. More information on his book can be found on the Web site www.allanhamilton.com.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: To schedule an interview with Dr. Hamilton, please contact Jo Marie Gellerman, (520) 626-7219.