Life and Death: The Story of a Hospital

The dynamics and logistics of New York's Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, part of a consortium of nine institutions, are here recorded in often moving and dramatic oral narratives by its staff. Yalof ( Open Heart Surgery ) not only draws a composite picture of the enormous diversity of occupationsneurosurgeon, gardener, psychiatrist who heads a cocaine program and the art director in charge of medical illustrations, among othersbut allows the personality of each to emerge from behind his or her professional role within the impersonal organization. Almost without exception the interviewees demonstrate strong commitment to the hospital and patients, and pride in their work, especially members of specialty teams such as heart transplants or the neonatal intensive care unit, part of a regional network that extends its benefits far beyond city limits. First serial to Woman's Day; Literary Guild alternate. (Jan.)