The Making of a Flight Surgeon

"The Making of a Flight Surgeon" tells the story of a young man during his first year of practice as an Aerospace Medicine physician, i.e. "Flight Surgeon", in the U. S. Air Force. Written in first-person, the author GREGG BENDRICK is immersed in military customs and courtesies, and soon identifies readily with the pilots under his care. He develops a strong friendship with his supervisor, RUSSELL BRAKEFIELD, who gradually assumes the role of mentor. Against this backdrop of Air Force life and culture, Bendrick falls in love with a nurse named LYDIA FUENTES. His relationship with her changes his outlook on medicine, and begins to positively affect his clinical practice. Lydia is likewise changed, and her relationship with Bendrick facilitates her recovery from a psychologically traumatizing divorce. The strength of this relationship is tested when tragedy suddenly be falls the two of them. Lydia and Bendrick are forced to move on with their lives, but both are significantly changed as a result of their love for each other, and the events surrounding their relationship.

Gregg Bendrick, aka "Hatch", is the Flight Surgeon and Medical Director of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He is a graduate of the U. S. Air Force Residency in Aerospace Medicine, and is Board-Certified in both Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Medicine. Dr. Bendrick received his MD degree from the University of Chicago, where he also received an MS degree and a BA. He received his Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Texas. He is married, and has one daughter from a prior marriage. Though he has published a variety of technical papers, "The Making of a Flight Surgeon" is his first novel.