Life in the Pits: A Surgeon's Awakening

In the fall of 1985, a young, somewhat insecure, surgical resident, trans-planted from England via medical school at McGill University in Montreal, began his second year of his surgery training. He had chosen to cut his teeth in a fast-paced, bloody war zone: Detroit Receiving Hospital's emergency trauma center. Now a busy general, vascular and minimally invasive surgeon in a progressive Midwest community hospital, Life in the Pits is a recollection of some of his experiences during his emergency trauma surgery rotation at the time. As well as describing the strange and sometimes just frightening scenarios that played out, he exposes the emotional roller-coaster that was a daily part of the intense, exhausting, and frequently intimidating training.

"We must be confident, yet not cocky; efficient, yet not too fast; organized, but never rigid. Cockiness kills. Yet on the flip side, we cannot be paralyzed by fear and insecurity."

Graduating from high school in Cambridge, England, Dr. Maxwell went on to spend a 'gap year' working for the British government and the United Nations in New York City. Returning to continue his education he completed a bachelors in human genetics at McGill University in Montreal where he also went on to receive his medical degree. Deciding to pursue surgery he began his surgical journey at the many and varied hospitals of The Detroit Medical Center. After interviewing all over the country he settled on a hospital in southern Wisconsin where he continues to practice general, vascular and minimally invasive surgery. When not caring for his patients he is an avid sailor and enjoys both racing and cruising. He is married with two daughters and two step-sons.