Please tell us a little about your background.

I have lived in Barrington since 1983. I grew up in Plainfield, attended Washington University in St. Louis and Tulane University School of Medicine, and completed training in General Surgery at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s before practicing locally for 34 years. Growing up, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July were special times when we not only celebrated the holidays but honored past generations, including our fathers and mothers who served.

Did your medical training help you in writing the book?

I called upon my medical expertise to describe some of the events in this story.

How long did you have the idea of writing this book? Is it your first?

The idea for this book developed as a break from another project I have been working on. I am completing the draft of that book which deals with the transition medical students in New Orleans, circa the 1970s, made as their education progressed from classroom work to the care of patients. I currently teach at both Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Rosalind Franklin University, so I have developed an interest in the process of medical education, although this book is formatted as an entertaining novel.

You mentioned that you’ve thought D-Day, the largest ever amphibious invasion that took place in Normandy, France during WWII, should be a national holiday.

I think that our country should designate the time between Memorial Day and July 4 as “American History Month” and that we should support community programs to explore the richness of our shared past during that time.

Have you ever been to Normandy?

I visited Normandy last summer and remain awed by the enormity of the undertaking to free Europe. Every true American cannot help but be deeply moved viewing the 10,000 graves in the American Cemetery. I was surprised to learn that the beaches remain open to the public for recreation and that erosion is taking a toll on the sites that the French government does not have the funds to protect.

With June 6, 2024, being the 80th anniversary of D-Day, what would you like your fellow Americans to be thinking about?

I think that learning the history of the U.S. involvement in the liberation of Europe should cause Americans to reflect on our shared past and common values at a time when our country seems split into antagonistic political camps.

Was there any special inspiration for “The Climber of Pointe du Hoc,” or did you create the storyline to support your devotion to D-Day’s memory?

The inspiration for the book came first from my habit of watching a film or reading about the invasion every June 6. A documentary streaming on Prime told the story of the assault on Pointe du Hoc and to this I added two other themes. The first dealt with the emerging role of nursing as a scientific-based profession as reflected in the wartime experience of British nurses. The second theme involved the role of Afro-Americans in the war effort. In 1960 the hit movie, “The Longest Day” featured 42 international film stars in cameo roles. Rewatching it I realized there were no Black faces. A simple google search revealed that not only were Afro-American soldiers present on the beaches that day, but there is a growing recognition of their contributions to the war effort. Combining this story with that of Vivian Thomas, the gifted Johns Hopkins’ surgical tech who was instrumental in developing the surgical correction of congenital heart disease, allowed me to create a character who is instrumental in the telling of my story.

How long did the book take to write?

The first draft of the story only took about seven to 10 days to complete, but recruiting help in editing and preparation necessitated taking more time to make the story as meaningful for readers as possible.

What advice would you give to others who want to write a book?

In 40 years of dealing with patients I have learned that everyone has a story to tell. For those who wish to write, I think it is important to realize that to accurately communicate your story takes a village. There are many online courses or guides that can help and, in fact, when I became interested in storytelling, I discovered an excellent creative writing course at Harper College that met for one evening a week. In addition, I belong to the Wesley Writers Group in Evanston which provides a forum for people to share their work and receive critiques as they develop their ideas. Whether you are writing a memoir solely for family members, or planning to reach a wider audience, these pathways are very helpful and socially gratifying.

“The Climber of Pointe du Hoc” is available on Amazon or can be ordered through your local bookstore.