Books That Inspire: College of Human Medicine Authors
October 27, 2025
In honor of National Book Month, we’re celebrating the many storytellers within the College of Human Medicine. From heartfelt memoirs to inspiring children’s books and thought-provoking nonfiction, these works, written by our students, alumni, and faculty, highlight the creativity and dedication of our community.
Gio's Heart
By Amir Alexander Young | Student
Inspired by the author’s son, this children’s book shares lessons of love, hope, and courage through the journey of a child with congenital heart disease.
What the Eyes Don't See
By Mona Hanna | Faculty & Alum
The inspiring true story of uncovering the Flint water crisis and fighting for the health of a community.
Be Still: A Pregnancy Bed Rest Devotional
By Stacey Pylman | Faculty
A devotional offering encouragement, Bible verses, and practical tips for pregnant mothers on bed rest, helping them find comfort and strength during a vulnerable time.
My Journey Through the United States
By Ved Gossain | Faculty
Dr. Gossain shares his remarkable journey from arriving in the U.S. with just eight dollars to becoming a professor and division chief at MSU, overcoming personal and professional challenges along the way.
Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?
By Robert C. Smith | Faculty
Dr. Smith exposes the divide between physical and mental health care in America and calls for a more integrated, compassionate medical model.
Girls for Medicine
By Orezime Uyeh | Alum
A beautifully illustrated book inspiring kids, especially young Black and Brown girls, to pursue careers in health care.
In Stitches
By Tony Youn | Alum
A humorous and heartfelt memoir about an aspiring doctor finding his way through awkward adolescence and medical school.
Muslim Mental Health in North America
Co-edited by Farha Abbasi | Faculty
An edited volume exploring mental health issues faced by American Muslims, offering research, reflections, and culturally sensitive practices for clinicians, families, and individuals.
In Shock
By Rana Awdish | Faculty
A riveting memoir by a critical care physician who becomes a patient, revealing the emotional and systemic gaps in medicine and offering a compassionate vision for healing.
After Shock
By Rana Awdish | Faculty
A follow-up to In Shock, this memoir explores healing as an embodied and relational process, inviting readers to find meaning, attention, and wonder even amid grief and illness.
The Indenture of Ivy O'Neill
By Diane Ruth Helentjaris | Alum
A historical novel following Ivy O’Neill, who is kidnapped and sold into indentured servitude in colonial America, as she navigates danger, prejudice, and the power of resilience and family.
Unlearn Your Pain
By Howard Schubiner, MD | Faculty
Dr. Schubiner leads readers to a new understanding of how the mind affects our pain, physical and emotional, and how we can gain control over our bodies and minds to live a healthier and better life.
