Brier Hospital Series by Lawrence W. Gold

Brier Hospital Series: Arnie Roth, a family practitioner, develops viral encephalitis. He awakens from the near-death experience with a new appreciation for life and an unexpected talent, his sensitivity to smell has increased a thousandfold. The Sixth Sense is highly entertaining, thought provoking, and touching journey through a world that influences us every day, but one that we know too little about.

Denise Berg, a professor of psychology, and her molecular biologist husband, Gabe, expected an intelligent child. When Denise gave birth to Zack, they were thrilled. They were not surprised to find that Zack had physical and mental gifts, but were astounded by their magnitude. By every parameter, Zack was extraordinarily gifted and they took pride in their genes and in their good fortune... moreDenise Berg, a professor of psychology, and her molecular biologist husband, Gabe, expected an intelligent child. When Denise gave birth to Zack, they were thrilled. They were not surprised to find that Zack had physical and mental gifts, but were astounded by their magnitude. By every parameter, Zack was extraordinarily gifted and they took pride in their genes and in their good fortune.What they didn’t know was that Zack’s gifts were the result of more than good luck and Berg family genes, but depended on genetic material from an unusual source. Zack’s abilities would ultimately attract others with less than benign interests. less

It’s the year 2000 and Margaret Price, age ninety-eight, enters Berkeley’s Brier Hospital in heart failure. Pat Teller, Margaret’s nurse, cares for her until she improves. The women grow close and when Margaret shows her nursing class sepia photographs from the 1930s Brier Sanitarium, one young woman’s image astounds Pat... moreIt’s the year 2000 and Margaret Price, age ninety-eight, enters Berkeley’s Brier Hospital in heart failure. Pat Teller, Margaret’s nurse, cares for her until she improves. The women grow close and when Margaret shows her nursing class sepia photographs from the 1930s Brier Sanitarium, one young woman’s image astounds Pat.Who is she? Where is she?What’s her story?While Pat, a modern nurse, savors her capabilities, she chafes at the limitations imposed on nurses and physicians by politicians, accountants, insurance executives, and bureaucrats in the year 2000. When Pat engages with the 1937 sepia photograph, she’s drawn back in time to an unexpected reality.Margaret Price, a 1930’s nurse, is limited by the medical knowledge of her times. She makes the best of the situation by embracing her opportunity to love and support her patients within the limited mean available.Both nursing capabilities have value, but time and reality keep them apart, or do they? less