The author is an Internal Medicine Physician who practices in rural Emergency Rooms in the coastal area of the Northwest. After growing up and training in the NYC region he moved his wife and 2 children to the West Coast, looking to escape his roots. Here he was quite content raising his family and enjoying the outdoors until he was called back East to donate part of his liver to save his dying mother.

The author’s adventure rehashes his odyssey to the West Coast. Educated and trained in Newark New Jersey, his Internal Medicine Residency involved exposure to the New Jersey Liver Institute. This was followed by a brief Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh’s Intensive Medicine Program. As it would happen, this program involved rotating through the Liver Transplant Unit, the same Unit where he found himself 10 years later as a patient.

Since the ordeal, Dr Stefanelli has returned to practicing Emergency Medicine in rural hospitals. He also has resumed his numerous outdoor activities. However, his professional life has taken on a different perspective.