ATHENS, Ohio -- The Martin Luther King Committee, Office for Institutional Equity, College of Osteopathic Medicine and Department of Residence Life are pleased to announce the upcoming lecture and reading by Atul Gawande from his recently published book, "Complications, A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science." The free program will be held in Irvine Auditorium on May 10 at 3 p.m.

Gawande is the son of physicians and long-time Athens residents Atmaram and Sushlia Gawande, and a graduate of Athens High School. He is a Harvard Medical School resident in surgery and essayist for The New Yorker. In his writing, Gawande unveils the practice of medicine, and gives the reader insight into the thinking of the physician and the machinations of medicine. Unique to the writing of medicine is Gawande's inclusion of the patient's experience of the medical treatment.

Bringing his wealth of past experience as a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, a policy adviser to President Bill Clinton, a Rhodes Scholar in economics, politics and philosophy, Gawande exemplifies the value of education to developing an inquiring mind. His essays reflect his disciplined scientific approach to research and the creativity that can be found in non-fiction writing. He bridges the gap between science writing and literature, thus appealing to a broad audience. His quest for answers illustrates his wide range of interests, including ethical questions as they relate to the practical application of medicine. Students will find Gawande appealing because he reveals the human side of the complicated relationship between patient and doctor. He sheds light on the frailties of both, thus exposing the complex and sometimes baffling human dimension of medicine.

Parking is available to the public in Lots 127, 128 and 129 (surrounding the Convocation Center). A reception and book signing will immediately follow in the Irvine Lobby. Little Professor Book Center will have books available for purchase.