This section is for listeners of the audio book, who did not have access to this material :) 

 

I owe an enormous debt to the physicians and scientists who advised me during the writing of this novel. Needless to say, they have more important things to do than attempting to resuscitate imaginary people. I’m humbled by both their intelligence and their generosity in granting me access to their fields.

 

Please know that any implausibilities or biases are solely attributable to me and do not reflect on the perspective of these experts. Some of them answered questions or allowed me to interview them; some read background scenes or passages specific to their circumstances; a few read the entire manuscript. Any errors stem from my failure to heed their advice.

 

One conflict I had to resolve: Scientists wish to qualify their statements for maximum accuracy, whereas novelists wish to avoid the boredom-induced death of their readers. This means I had to abandon many passages reflective of the complicated realities of epidemiology or virology or biotechnology in favor of more simple but less precise language. Also in certain scenes I deliberately took a bit of creative license, partly to improve the drama and partly due to my editor’s gentle observation that perhaps the story didn’t really flow when the characters insisted on hammering home the distinction between esoteric concepts such as, say, basic and effective reproductive numbers. Consider the following example of excised dialogue:

 

“Why not share the basic reproductive number?”

 

“Because the effective reproduction number is more useful,” said Kira. “It’s the product of the R0 and the susceptible host population (x). Therefore R = R0x estimates the potential for spread while taking into account the implementation of control measures, such as isolation and quarantining.”

 

Even in non-medical writing I tend to overuse big words, which many tormented readers of my previous novels have pointed out. Thanks, guys. Believe it or not, it could have been even worse. Every character in the book might sound like a meganerd (i.e. me) if it wasn’t for my long-suffering editor. I do not know how she makes it through my intolerable word snarls. Thank you, Kerry!

 

Spoiler alert: On a related note, I’d like to address the miraculous recoveries of some of the characters. My editor talked me out of an original, grimmer ending even though it was medically more plausible, and she was right. That’s the beauty of fiction: sometimes it delivers unexpected grace and a joyous ending when we need it most.

 

Speaking of unexpected grace, I owe my deepest gratitude to the following groups and individuals:

 

My people! The emergency medicine doctors:

 

Heather M. Clark, MD; Danielle Dire, MD; Kari Dechenne, MD; Sarah Edwards, MD; Susan Geiger, MD; Gerri Goertzen, MD; Emily Hyatt, DO; Angela K. Johnson, MD; Sara Kirby, MD; Dorothy Konomos, DO; Tony Locrotondo, DO; Olen Netteburg, MD; Erin Noste, MD; Olga Otter, MD; Anuj A. Parikh, MD; Matthew S. Partrick, MD; Kimberly Pringle, MD; Audrey Stanton, DO, MPH; Cristi Vaughn, MD; Michelle Walther MD; Svetlana Zakharchenko, DO, and all the others who aided me.

 

In what other field can one so perfectly combine a love of science with an immediate ability to ease suffering? To all the BAFERDs out there, I admire your brilliance and compassion and unceasing devotion to a career where someone’s always trying to die on your watch. It takes a toll, working a job where skill is paramount, sleep is scarce, circumstances are unpredictable, and any moment can be life-altering—or life-ending—for everyone involved. But you carry on, usually without thanks. We all owe you.

 

All hail the infectious disease doctors, immunologists, biologists, and EIS-trained docs:

 

If the world didn’t properly appreciate you before, we do now. Thank you for turning your formidable intelligence and ineffable spirit toward conquering our microscopic foes.

 

Gretchen Arnoczy, MD; Marylou Cullinan, MD; Catherine J. F. Derber, MD; Jennifer Espiritu, MD; Jessie Glasser, MD; Freshta Jaghori, MD; Sheena Kandiah, MD, MPH; Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH; Catherine Passaretti, MD; Kimberly Pringle, MD; Rebekah Sensenig, DO; Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, MD, MPH; Kara M. Jacobs Slifka, MD, MPH; Julia Sung, MD; Cynthia Turcotte, PhD; Philip Vernon, PhD; and everyone else in the fields of virology, infectious disease, and epidemiology who was kind enough to help me.

 

The neurologists:

 

Sandra A. Block, MD; Mausumi Lidogoster, MD; Sheela S. Myers, MD, MS; Waimei Tai, MD. Literal brainiacs! You guys impress me to no end.

 

The obstetrician-gynecologists:

 

Hina Cheema, MD; Natalie Crawford, MD; Jennie Hauschka, MD; Kelli Miller, MD; Danae Netteburg, MD; Lora Shahine, MD. You are lovely. Thank you for answering my questions and/or your support of my new career.

 

The radiologists:

 

Heather Frimmer, MD, and Karen Rampton, MD; so grateful for your sharp eyes.

 

And the pediatrician: Kristen Borchetta, DO. Thank you!

 

To my groups:

 

I’m so grateful for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the Charlotte Writers Club, the Charlotte Readers Podcast, Authors 18, and the WFWA. Special shout out to the admins and members of the Physician Mom Book Club, especially Nicole Brammer Hubbard for her support (and all the intriguing pathology posts); and to the admins and members of the most excellent Women Physician Writer group. Huge heartfelt thank you to the amazing sisterhood of the Charlotte Area PMG & Female Physicians. Also to all the other PMG subgroups I’m in: y’all are so much fun and so informative and just so cool.

 

To my fellow physician fiction authors Dr. Sandra Block, Dr. Saumya Dave, Dr. Jennifer Driscoll, Dr. Heather Frimmer, Dr. Bradeigh Godfrey, Dr. Nadia Hashimi, Dr. Lydia Kang, Dr. Judy Melinek, Dr. Sheryl Recinos, Dr. Kristine Scruggs, Dr. Meghan Maclean Weir, Dr. Ismée Williams (and so many more!): I am honored to be among your ranks. It requires truly singular brain chemistry to churn out imaginary drama in the midst of all the real-life mayhem.

 

Special thanks to Dr. Bradeigh Godfrey, for her treasured friendship, her support, and her always insightful developmental edits. And also her mad bookstagram skills.

 

To Drs. Danae and Olen Netteburg, you are an inspiration. I could not admire you more.

 

To the fiercely brilliant Dr. Kizzy Corbett, thank you for letting me borrow your last name for President Corbett. I’m in awe all you have done for our country, for the advancement of science, and especially for women in STEM.

 

To my friend and fellow author Youssef Chebaa Hadri, thank you for such a gracious welcome to the dazzling city of Tangier. I look forward to a return visit and a long literary discussion.

 

To Abdennour Mezzine, fellow doctor and author, it has been such an honor to correspond with you. Thank you for your service on the frontlines in Morocco and for your kindness to a fellow writer.

 

To my beta readers: Heather Burkhart, Bess Kercher, Lisa Kline, Lara Lillibridge, and Betsy Thorpe, my apologies for the wretched early drafts. Your suffering makes me a better writer.

 

To the Ink Tank: I love each and every one of you.

 

To my San Diego author friends: Liz Fenton, Michelle Gable, Kristina McMorris, Sue Meissner, Lisa Steinke, and Kate Quinn, I am so lucky y’all treat me as an honorary Californian. And I’m so fortunate to bask in the glow of all your massive success. #writergoals.

 

To my writer buds: Anne Bogel, Julie Clark, Molly Grantham, Jennifer Klepper, and Colleen Oakley: You are the people I turn to when I need a laugh, a boost, or an idea. Thank you.

 

To P.J. Vernon: One night I read all the texts we’ve ever sent each other about our books and I laughed so hard I hurt myself. You are witty and lovable and brilliant and an absolutely terrifying thriller writer. Now that I think about it, that’s such a weird combo. Makes me love you even more. #BathHaus

 

To Hitha Palepu and Ashley Spivey: I adore our little triumvirate. Thank you so much for the literary support and the friendship.

 

To the Berkley team—Fareeda Bullert; Craig Burke; Lauren Burnstein; Kerry Donovan; the Marys, both Baker and Geren; Colleen Reinhart, Natalie Sellars; Lindsey Tulloch; Christine Legon; and Claire Zion—so many beautiful books exist because of you. I am beyond honored that mine are among them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

To Kathleen Carter, publicist extraordinaire: you are outstanding at what you do. Thank you.

 

To the world’s best agent, Jane Dystel: I’m so fortunate you champion my work. You are a dear friend.

 

To Pamela Klinger-Horn: thank you for your early support for Doctors and Friends. You make people want books, which is the coolest thing ever.

 

To all the bookstores, libraries, and bookstagrammers: The world would be a bleak place without your literary evangelism. I wish I could list you all!

 

To Writing Group, INK (aka Tracy Curtis, Bess Kercher, and Trish Rohr): I’m not sure what we did to bring down the wrath of the universe upon us last year but I am certain we could not have made it through without each other. You are such a blessing and so talented.

 

To my med school babes: Jill Howell Berg, Whitney Arnette Jamie, Kelli Miller, Kristin Rager, Christina Terrell, and Casey Dutton-Triplett: If your patients ask, none of the individual characters in Doctors & Friends are us, but our decades of devoted friendship definitely provided the inspiration for this novel. I’ll never stop being grateful that we found each other that first week of medical school.

 

To my beloveds: my sister Shannan Rome; my best friend, Heather Burkhart; and my extraordinary mother, Judy Martin, I don’t think I could bear life without you, let alone get these dang books written. There is no one on earth I look up to more than the three of you.

 

To Jim, Katie, Alex, and Annie: Never has a wife or mother been blessed with a more glorious family. You are all funny, feisty, and dear beyond words. I love you.

 

And, finally, to Covid: Fuck you.

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