Discussing historic pediatric medical breakthroughs

In his new book, "The Masters of Medicine: Our Greatest Triumphs in the Race to Cure Humanity’s Deadliest Diseases," Andrew Lam, MD, retinal surgeon, author, assistant professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School shares some of what he believes are medicine's most inspirational stories.

The book, due out on April 18, 2023, highlights physicians, procedures, and moments that led to historical medical discoveries.

"I think that readers can expect a page-turning narrative about the greatest discoveries in medical history," Lam said. "There are so many great stories of perseverance, serendipity, sometimes mistakes that led to the breakthroughs that all of us as physicians use today to save lives.”

In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Lam explains how a few historical pediatric medical breakthroughs have stood the test of time and why they are important to explore.

“There are numerous breakthroughs in the field of pediatrics that should be considered among the greatest in all of medicine. One is the race for the polio vaccine, and another is the surmounting of childhood leukemia.”

“I think my main hope is that people are inspired, both physicians and the public,” Lam said. “The stories in this book can be very helpful in reminding [doctors] how lucky we are to have these tools that we use every day to save lives. We owe a great debt to medical mavericks of the past who frankly risked far more than us to give us the chance to do what we do.”

Click here to watch Lam discuss how insulin changed the way type 1 diabetes was treated in children.

For more information on Lam’s new book, visit his website.