Water on the Moon

On the Frontlines of Medicine is the compelling memoir of Frederick "Skip" Burkle, a pioneering physician whose life and career were shaped by resilience, adversity, and an unwavering commitment to global health. From a challenging childhood marked by asthma, dyslexia, and familial abuse, Burkle overcame immense obstacles to pursue medicine and serve in the U.S. Navy. His first deployment to South Vietnam exposed him to both combat trauma and humanitarian crises, setting the stage for a career devoted to disaster and conflict medicine.

Key Features:

• Extraordinary Life Story: Chronicles Burkle’s journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a globally recognized physician.
• Combat and Humanitarian Medicine: Provides firsthand accounts of medical practice in high-stakes environments, including active war zones and disaster-stricken areas.
• Global Disaster Medicine Pioneer: Details his contributions to establishing disaster medicine as a field, including training healthcare professionals worldwide.
• Political and Ethical Challenges: Explores complex negotiations, political conflicts, and ethical dilemmas faced while delivering care in unstable regions.
• Historical and Cultural Insights: Offers a deep understanding of the societies and cultures in which he worked, including Vietnam, Iraq, and other conflict zones.
• Legacy of Service: Highlights Burkle’s lasting impact on global health, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian medical response.