Surgeon-author Atul Gawande confronts his imperfections in HDS talk
In a wide-ranging conversation Thursday at Sanders Theatre, surgeon-author Atul Gawande faced up to his own limits, including the mortality we all share. But it didn’t come easy. “I think I’m very uncomfortable with imperfection and in being fallible and how you live with your own imperfection,” Gawande told Harvard Divinity School Dean David Hempton. “I’m sure it’s driven by a sense of discomfort with the fact that [you can’t be] perfect, and then taking responsibility for other people, responsibility for making a difference in the world. How to know whether you’re making matters better or worse — how do you live with that?” Janet Gyatso introduces Gawande and Dean Hempton. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer Hempton spoke with the Brigham and Women’s surgeon and New Yorker staff writer about his latest book, “Being Mortal,” as well as his recent decision to take on the daunting challenge of designing more efficient health care systems...