Category: books, literature, arts

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and The Making of a Medical Examiner- a book review

You can read an updated and expanded version of this post here

Working Stiff -a book review to remember 9/11

When she applied for a position in New York City at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Dr. Judy Melinek never imagined that decision would plunge her into the nightmare of September 11, 2001. She was at the ME office that day when the Twin Towers were attacked and fell, killing thousands…

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Working Stiff: The Making of a Medical Examiner

Judy Melinek, M.D., and her husband T.J. Mitchell wrote Working Stiff: The Making of a Medical Examiner, an account of her training as a forensic pathologist, a physician specialist who investigates sudden, unexpected, or violent deaths.

They lived in New York City for two years so she could study at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). She was at the office when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11 and thus collaborated with the team of investigators who worked night and day identifying remains of the victims, a task she vividly describes in the book.

As a forensic pathologist, she understands why and how people die, and therefore also knows how people can avoid dying unexpectedly. As she writes,

“So don’t jaywalk. Wear your seat belt when you drive. Better yet, stay out of your car and get some exercise. Watch your weight. If you’re a smoker, stop right now. If you aren’t, don’t start. Guns put holes in people. Drugs are bad. You know that yellow line on the subway platform? It’s there for a reason. Staying alive, as it turns out, is mostly common sense.” 

Working Stiff moves at a quick pace, in a conversational style. When she uses medical jargon, she explains it in simple terms. She describes the cases she investigated in detail so those with weak stomachs (no pun) may want to skip this read.

Having suffered her father’s unexpected death when she was 13 years old, she was no stranger to death, and she learned more from the 262 autopsies she did during her training. As she says in this engaging memoir,

“To confront death every day, to see it for yourself, you have to love the living.” 

Dr. Judy Melinek

exploring the HEART of health, life, and death

I found this book fascinating and think you will also. Please check out other book reviews on this blog and follow for notifications of new posts.

Medical stethoscope and heart on a textured background

Dr Aletha

Meet Dr. Aletha in Oklahoma, the Sooner state

Oklahoma, the Sooner State

Here’s an introduction to my home state and my alma mater, the University of Oklahoma.

Taken together, Oklahoma Sooners reflects our state’s American Indian and pioneer heritage and, today, symbolizes a special university spirit that values resilience and perseverance as well as the inclusivity that unites all who are a part of the University of Oklahoma family.

Learn more at this link-

What is a Sooner?

on the campus of the University of Oklahoma,
“A Sooner Covered Wagon”
A SOONER COVERED WAGON , plaque displayed at the Oklahoma Memorial Union on the University of Oklahoma campus
The artist-Tom K Simms

Mr. Simms graduated from the school of fine arts at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in sculpture and painting. He was a star performer on the Sooner track team, and set the Big Six record in the high jump and high hurdles. He also ran the mile, low hurdles and did the broad jump.

He was selected as one of the most promising students in the university, to do a sculptural design for a gateway presented by his class to the university. (info not confirmed, source newspapers.com)

Please visit my welcome page Meet Dr. Aletha