“Health is fundamentally a story—of patients, care providers, and the societal forces that shape our lives. In sharing the stories of her “brothers and sisters in scrubs,” Ashley Hannani has made a valuable contribution to this narrative.”
—Sandro Galeo, MD, physician, epidemiologist, and author of The Contagion Next Time (Oxford University Press, 2021)
“It's almost impossible to get a completely candid look into the deep world of medicine; Hannani's book is why it is possible.”
—Emanuel Shapera, MD, Oncology, Bariatric & General Surgeon at SHARP Memorial and Grossmont
“Behind The Curtain is an inspiring compilation of stories from individuals in the medical field about the struggles and joys of medicine. The anecdotes are genuine, heartwarming, and moving, a trifecta that creates relatability and empathy for anyone who reads.”
—Olivia Richman, MD, Two-time TEDx speaker, family medicine physician, podcaster, YouTuber, and author of the book The Thriver’s Guide to Medical School
“…Hannani presents readers with a glimpse into the hidden world of medical professionals in a collection of short pieces that capture the drama and humanity of the field in vividly memorable detail. It covers a wide spectrum of experiences and perspectives, ranging from life and death struggles to random acts of kindness.
What makes this a very special read is the honesty with which contributors share insights, mistakes, tears, and fears. With the selection included in Behind The Curtain, Ashley Hannani humanizes the medical heroes upon whom we count in times of crisis. She gives them a platform for sharing their moments of triumph and tragedy. That makes them real and relatable. Thank you for putting together an informative collection.”
—Readers’ Favorite
“A masterfully curated collection of deeply personal short pieces. Behind The Curtain reveals a treasury of powerful and enlightening voices from our modern-day heroes that leaves you in awe.”
—Sergio Valverde, DDS, MSc, former scientific director of the Asociación Iberoamericana de Ortodoncistas in Peru, and member of the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics (JCO) Editorial Board
“…deeply impactful…profoundly personal. This book illuminates the mysteries and magic of medicine.
This is an exceptional anthology. It truly makes one grateful for the immense work doctors and nurses put in and their bravery that saves lives every day.”
—Literary Titan
"Crafted with stunning intimacy, this book is a celebration of humanity in its most vulnerable and powerful moments."
—Robby Atala, MD, MS, author of Happenings in the House
“Powerfully written from a vast variety of perspectives, Behind The Curtain details the personal stories of medical professionals who are forced to grapple with the reality of their jobs. This is a beautiful collection of important stories that show the humanity behind the white coats.”
―Ali Rothrock, author of After Trauama, TEDx Speaker, Firefighter and CEO of On the Job and Off
“I felt a sense of overwhelm as I flipped through the pages of Behind the Curtain. I knew that taking on the emotions in each vignette would immediately transport me back to my own best and worst moments in healthcare.
Pick it up. Put it down. Pick it up. Put it down.
I repeated this cycle for weeks, never making it past the acknowledgments for fear that I didn’t possess the emotional bandwidth to take on a book of this style. And then it hit me: if not now, when? And then I read the very words I needed to hear, not only as a member of the healthcare community but of society at large: “joy isn’t cancelled.” No matter the circumstances. It never has been. It never will be. I allowed myself to dive in and poured through the beautifully written pages, instantly reminded of exactly why I decided to become a nurse so many years ago. I wept as I read personal moments that ushered in memories of my own, feeling the intense bonds between patient and provider; provider and provider; person and person; person and something far greater than ourselves. Create the space for Behind the Curtain, and allow it to remind you that we will always discover pockets of joy, even amid life’s most painful moments..”
―Sonja Mitrevska, DNP, APN-A, CRNA, bestselling author of Oh Sh*t, I Almost Killed You!