"New Beginnings & Fresh Perspectives" Summer Speaker Series, Installment 3 of 4

"The Tragic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont"
Author Reading & Discussion Featured at August Event
 
The Historic Indian Agency House and nearby sister site Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters are pleased to welcome Jason Karlawish, MD, to Portage as the third featured presenter of the 2013 Summer Speaker Series.
 
On Tuesday, August 27, Dr. Karlawish— physician, author and University of Pennsylvania professor—will discuss his recent historical novel, Open Wound: The Tragic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont, a novel based on true events at Fort Mackinac along the early 19^th century American frontier.
 
Called a “marvelous” novel by The New York Times, Mary Roach, author of Gulp and Stiff, said of the Open Wound, “Jason Karlawish has crafted a carefully reasoned and beautifully written portrait of Beaumont and St. Martin. There is more truth—deeper truth—in this fine work of fiction than in many biographical writings on the pair.” 
 
Dr. Karlawish will discuss the historical and ethical context of Open Wound. In 1822, Mackinac Island Fort Army Surgeon William Beaumont saves the life of an indentured fur trapper, Alexis St. Martin, but then slowly transforms his patient into a research subject, at times against his will, for decades afterwards. Alexis’ wound, a gastric fistula, gave Beaumont a window to study digestion. Although Dr. Beaumont undoubtedly advanced medicine’s understanding of digestion, his motives and methods are subject to scrutiny and critique.
 
Doctor Karlawish’s reading and talk will explore the historical contexts that shaped Dr. Beaumont’s complex and controversial relationship with his patient, and how, while the events occurred near two centuries ago, they resonate with contemporary ethical challenges. When all others refused to support St. Martin’s care, Dr. Beaumont stepped forward. Did this act of kindness forever link these two men? How did ambition cause him to lose sight of what was right?
 
To further examine the history of frontier and military medicine, site director Rob Nurre will offer a special medical-themed guided tour of the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters at 6:00 p.m. that will feature artifacts and anecdotes of the fort days. This tour will be offered free of charge, and donations supporting the site’s continued operations will be happily accepted. 
 
At 7:00 p.m., Dr. Karlawish will read from and discuss his book at the Visitor’s Center of the Historic Indian Agency House.   Dr. Karlawish will be available to sign copies of Open Wound.   Copies will be available for purchase at the Historic Indian Agency House.
 
Dr. Karlawish is a Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. He cares for patients at the Penn Memory Center and directs the Neurodegenerative Disease Ethics and Policy Program. He is a leader in the field of bioethics. Besides the well-received Open Wound, his work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and medical and bioethics textbooks. His work examines the ethical challenges of research and care that involve older adults with cognitive impairment from diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about his research, visit his website at www.jasonkarlawish.com. 
 
Visit www.agencyhouse.org for a full listing of events or call (608) 742-6362 with any questions.