The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing

by Lori Arviso Alvord and Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt

Book Overview

The first Navajo woman surgeon combines western medicine and traditional healing. A spellbinding journey between two worlds, this remarkable book describes surgeon Lori Arviso Alvord's struggles to bring modern medicine to the Navajo reservation in Gallup, New Mexico--and to bring the values of her people to a medical care system in danger of losing its heart. Dr. Alvord left a dusty reservation in New Mexico for Stanford University Medical School,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553378007
• ISBN13: 9780553378009
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Made me homesick!

I can't tell you how helpful this book was to me in gaining insight to myself and my own heritage. I too grew up on the "rez", or the Navajo Nation, not far from where Ms. Alvord grew up. (In fact, I am related to her by clan!) I also grew up half Navajo and half white. This book helped me to understand many of the characteristics and traits that I have and the cultural significance underlying them, as I was raised non-traditionally. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially Native youth, because it shows that anyone can achieve their dream. I am very proud of Lori Alvord for being willing to share her story and show the Western medical world the importance of Native/Indigenous healing practices.

Two Worlds of Lori Arviso Alvord, Native American Surgeon

This book was marvelous! All who work in the Medical Field, no matter what their position, should read this book. It not only tells about the differences in Lori Arviso Alvord's cultures but how they believe and how medical doctors/surgeons have the ability to keep their patients calm during emergencies or surgeries. I think that anyone who is planning on going into the medical field in the Native American area should definitely read this book, so that they can get an inside of how the Native American cultures believe and what to expect. The language of the book was down to earth without confusing medical terms and was easy to understand. All the stories that were presented brought back memories of my grandmother who died at the age of 96. A very good book!

The scalpel and the silver bear

The test of a good book lies in its readability, more so in the case of a non fiction.The author's narrative style is simple and interesting and hence very readable. As I read through the book I felt as if I was travelling with the author through this life journey of hers. What makes the book acceptable is the fact that the author does not make any judgement about the cultures that she has to be in. Her attempt to combine the best of both the worlds is the main attraction in the book. I agree with her totally that the need of the hour is holistic approach to any medical intervention. Coming from India I do understand the gap in the modern approach to 'cure', namely the 'healing'. I wish many non native Indians would read this book and benefit from its facts.I wish the doctor all the very best in her present endevour of popularising the holistic approach among the modern medical world.

A MUST READ

This is a must read for everyone, not just health care providers; however, it would be wonderful if every doctor read it. It could change how our society views health care. Instead of treating a diagnosis, we could learn to treat a whole person with compassion and respect.While health care is the setting, we learn what it means to be a Navajo woman. The customs are fascinating to those of us who know so little about native americans. This is a spiritual book. You learn what it means to "Walk in Beauty". There are many lessons to learn from this book. It is one that you will read and pass along to your friends and family.

Riveting, deep, inspiring--appeals to all ages and cultures.

Wow. A luminous bridge from the Navajo world to the rest of us. Her path to becoming a surgeon is an astonishing story. I doubt anyone can read it without awe, without tears, without laughing, without finding something or someone familiar in it. Recommended for med students, classroom, motivational or pleasure reading. Give a copy to your favorite doctor!