Sunday, October 24, 2010

THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTOR: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTOR
My Patients Were Presidents
BY DR. CONNIE MARIANO

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A riveting look into the personal lives of our presidents through the eyes of their White House doctor...

Dr. Connie Mariano served 9 years at the White House under Presidents George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush. She participated in world headline-making news events and traveled all over the world. She cared for visiting dignitaries and was charged with caring for all the members of the First Family. From flirting with King Juan Carlos of Spain to spending the night on the Queen of England’s yacht, Dr. Mariano glimpsed a glittering and powerful celebrity that few ever see. White House Doctor is a fascinating look into what goes on behind closed doors at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

From applying a Band-Aid to George Bush Sr.’s golf blister to drawing Bill Clinton’s blood sample to match with the DNA of the infamous stain on Monica Lewinsky’s dress, Dr. Connie Mariano saw a side of our presidents’ lives few get to experience during her nine years as the White House doctor. Beginning with George H.W. Bush, Dr. Mariano then worked the entire eight years of Bill Clinton’s presidency and concluded during George W. Bush’s first term. In THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTOR: My Patients Were Presidents, Dr. Mariano recounts with grace, humor and passion what life was like caring for our presidents.

Glamour aside, being the White House doctor involved tremendous pressures, including:
  • ·   Training with the Secret Service in case of an attack on the President including water rescue drills
  • ·   Treating First Lady Hillary Clinton for a blood clot
  • ·   Treating President Clinton’s mother during her battle with breast cancer
  • ·   Caring for President Clinton when he injured his leg
  • ·   Working inside the METU (Medical Evaluation and Treatment Unit) at        Bethesda Naval Hospital, which is set up as a private ward just for the   President and Vice President and is never used for anyone else

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born in the Philippines to a Navy father and Filipina mother, Dr. Mariano traveled between military bases as part of an American military family. Throughout THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTOR, Dr. Mariano recalls having to fight stereotypes, even after becoming the Physician to the President, both against women and minorities. Painful as these times were, Dr. Mariano has achieved an impressive list of “firsts” during her career, which include: the first military woman to become the White House Physician to the President, the first woman Director of the White House Medical Unit, and the first Filipino American in U.S. history to become a Navy Rear Admiral.

Today, Dr. Mariano runs the renowned Center for Executive Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she lives. It is a medical concierge practice which provides presidential-quality medical care to CEOs and their families.

MY REVIEW:
I found THE WHITE HOUSE DOCTOR: My Patients Were Presidents by Dr. Connie Mariano to be a fascinating and eye-opening book that gives readers a rather unique look  inside the White House and at our Commander-in-Chief. As head of the White House Medical Unit, Dr. Mariano, was in charge of an entire staff of doctors and nurses whose job it was to treat the First Family and visiting dignitaries. I never realized there was such a staff and position inside the White House and evidently, neither did Connie Mariano until she was offered the job.

Dr. Mariano, however, worked very hard to get to where she is today as the first Filipino American to become a Navy Rear Admiral and an important role model to many. In 1991, she was the Director of Internal Medicine at a naval hospital in San Diego and from there was nominated to serve a two-year term as White House physician, which turned out to be a nine year assignment. While this was certainly an honor, Eleanor Concepcion Mariano, Connie, took it as an important job and not a path to becoming famous and rich, as some might think of it. She worked very hard, often putting her job ahead of her own life including her marriage, her loved ones, and even her own health.

The memoir describes her nine years spent as the doctor for the “First Patient’ with Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. She relates many personal stories with each of the presidents. Dr. Mariano even traveled outside the country with the presidents as the doctor is with him at all times. The much read about Bethesda Naval Hospital and the private ward that is there just for the President and Vice President is explained. From yearly physicals to training for trauma care with the Secret Service, the book was fascinating to me. I never knew all this went on so got a great behind-the-scenes look at it all. Her recounting incidents like when then First Lady Barbara Bush fell on her last night in the White House and had to have stitches in her arm to treating another First Lady, Hillary Clinton, for a blood clot fill the book with interesting stories. Dr. Mariano even treated President Bill Clinton’s mother when she had breast cancer.

THE WHITE HOUSE doctor is written as a pleasing, easy to read narrative and filled with many memories of specific incidents with each President and their family as well as photographs throughout. President Bill Clinton is the one who not only promoted her to Navy Rear Admiral but also asked her to become his personal physician. Dr. Connie Mariano is now retired from the Navy and she has founded a practice that gives the same kind of care the President received to CEO’s and their families. It is called the Center for Executive Medicine and is in Scottsdale, Arizona.
 

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO TRICIA AT MERYL L.
MOSS MEDIA RELATIONS, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF THIS FASCINATING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
READ "ABOUT THE BOOK" AND THE REVIEW ABOVE AND COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: VISIT DR. CONNIE MARIANO'S WEBSITE BY GOING HERE AND READ MORE ABOUT HER THERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ABOUT HER

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. PLEASE COMMENT ON ONLY ONE THIS TIME.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, NOVEMBER 8
GOOD LUCK!

66 comments:

traveler said...

This book sounds captivating and fascinating. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The Dr. is an impressive woman who has accomplished a great deal and is to be admired. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Let's Eat. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This book would be a great resource as well as an interesting and worthwhile reading experience. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Ciao Italia. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

The author and doctor was a Mayo Clinic consultant and has many achievements. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

After all that she had done, I would love to sit down and talk with her but this is the next best thing.
She has really had a very wide range of things to do.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

On Dr. Connie Mariano's website, I read that in her biography about her first reward for writing. She won a half pound of Whitman chocolates. She thought that would be the perfect gift for mother so she fixed it up with a poem to her mother. All this haqppened in the second grade.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted:


Carolee888 http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/ See this link for a giveaway on the White House Doctor, Dr. Connie Mariano

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for
Let's Eat Cookbook.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for
'Nose for Justice".


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for
'Juliet'


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for "Painted Ladies'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for
'A Desirable Residence'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

hendy said...

Okay this book looks way fascinating. I'm so intrigued about our president's personal lives because all we ever know is the personal persona and who better to give that to us that their own doctor who probably knows way too much personal information.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Entered Juliet giveaway
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/28649701339
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I found it interesting that she was the first woman Director of the White House Medical Unit.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Alyce said...

I want to read the book because I love true accounts from medical professions, and having that subject cross over into the lives of the presidents is even better.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

debbie said...

I think the stories would be really interesting, it's not often you hear about the health of presidents.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered juliet giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Steve Capell said...

What an unusaul and interesting job. Just reading this review I found out several things about our former presidents that I didn't know before. This era of HIPPAA laws I am surprized that this book could be written. This book has peaked my interests so thanks for opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Benita said...

I just think this book sounds fabulous and engrossing, so I'd love to read it.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I learned In June 1992, Dr. Mariano became the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician. She was nominated by the Navy and selected by the White House for this honor. In 1994, Dr. Mariano was named Director of the White House Medical Unit and chosen by President William Clinton to serve as his personal physician. Dr. Mariano served nine years at the White House where she was physician to three sitting American Presidents.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ruthie said...

This sounds really interesting. Who wouldn't love to know the real stories & not just what the White House lets us know.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

Entered Casting About

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would love to read what she did and saw and experienced while working as a doctor in the white house. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

rubynreba said...

I like to read about the White House and would find it interesting to hear what a Doctor would have to say about the presidents she worked with.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Dr. Mariano started writing when she was in 2nd Grade. She wrote a poem and won a box of chocolates.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Better Homes & Gardens cookbook giveaway
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

holdenj said...

The life of a doctor in the White House seems fascinating. It's one of those positions I never really thought about, I guess I just thought they all saw various doctors in the DC area.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Dead Head giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

nfmgirl said...

I'd like to win this for my mother. She worked in the medical field for over 20 years, and I think that she would find this very interesting.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I like that she says:
Writing for me is like the Forrest Gump saying about " a box of chocolates". In my case, I never know what I'm going to write.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Pamela Keener said...

I would love to read this book. The author being a Filipino and the first woman physician would make for compelling reading. I am interested in the little insights she can give to our leaders.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

She entered a writing contest in 1962 and won a box of chocolates for her mother. That was the first time she heard her name announced on television.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered The Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Laura said...

Very interesting! I would love to read about what she did and saw while the doctor at the White House.
I am a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

MRWriter said...

I never thought much about the presidential doctor and their staff, but I bet it's fascinating!

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I entered the Chocolate.com giveaway.

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

g.g. said...

I would love to read this interesting book especially since she served under President Clinton

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I found out she was the first woman MILITARY doctor in that post which surprised me


anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I entered A Desirable Residence audio book


anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

dag888888 said...

Never knew a Filipino American was a White House doctor, interested in Dr. Mariano's book!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

After leaving the White House, Dr. Mariano became a consultant in the Executive Health Program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, from July 2001 to October 2005. In November 2005, Dr. Mariano founded the Center for Executive Medicine, a medical concierge practice which provides presidential-quality medical care to CEOs and their families.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered Adopt a Dog giveaway!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Allison said...

I want to win this book because it sounds really interesting!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I'm impressed that she was valedictorian.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Casting Away giveaway

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Reading said...

I think it is interesting that she served all those presidents. How much pressure that must be.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

slb3334 said...

It would be interesting to find out what she has treated.

Daniel M said...

sounds intersting, kind of a behind the scenes look at something nobody has heard before - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

mindy said...

because it sounds totally fascinating thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

tallcapp said...

This sounds like it would be an interesting look inside the White House through 3 Presidents. It would be good to read something about them that was not political.

Anonymous said...

I love to read non-fiction!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read, because it's a nonfiction bio and sounds very interesting.
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

Annmarie Weeks said...

This sounds like such a nice memoir - and very interesting. And it's nice to know that someone isn't trying to dish "dirt" on the former presidents' but instead wants to present a "what it was like" story!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I find it interesting that In June 1992, Dr. Mariano became the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/1599904124243968

susansmoaks said...

i would love to read this book because it sounds great
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susan1215 said...

This sounds like an interesting behind the scenes book

s2s2 at comcast dot net

Sarah said...

I'd like to win this because I am interested in hearing more about the intimate lives of our former presidents and their families.

Sarah said...

I learned that Dr. Mariano completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Naval Hospital in San Diego.

Sarah said...

I entered the NATIONAL ADOPT A DOG MONTH giveaway and really hope I win because I love both books and dogs.

Sand said...

Sounds like a great book, I'd like to read more about her experiences.

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read about what the doctor experienced in Washington. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY