Doctors graduating medical school during the Vietnam War had several options. Most went to serve medically in the war theater. A few went into other smaller niches like the Public Health Service. A select few were drafted into a program to train in research at the NIH; these were subsequently known as “yellow berets” – an epithet turned point-of-pride among its recipients.
Over the years, those who trained in this Clinical Associates program ended up achieving some of the most prominent spots in the medical system, whether in universities or industry. A relatively large number ended up becoming Nobel Laureates. Raymond Greenberg’s book details the experiences of four of these laureates.
In contrast to academic medicine at the time, the NIH program did not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion. (In effect, it did on the basis of gender since it tended to divert those subject to the draft – exclusively males.) Thus they admitted Jews, who were subject to quotas in many clinical programs yet, given a chance, were able to excel in research.
Most of these MDs did not have any prior research experiences but just had their curiosities unleashed by the hard work. Some even came from English-major backgrounds in undergrad yet ascended to the heights of a Nobel prize. The mentorship was superb, and the climate was open, selfless, and egalitarian, in contrast to many academic settings in the day.
This book details the lives and science of just four of those who excelled most in this climate. Graduates of this program, like Tony Fauci, would set the course of a golden age of American biomedical research across the country. They illustrated that starting a research career doesn’t take a whole lot other than dedicated salary support, dedicated time, innate talent, and a supportive environment.
By reading this book, those aspiring to careers in scientific research can seek to emulate their success. Leaders in research can learn to emulate the NIH’s climate in their settings. These stories also illustrate the serendipity and personal nature of research. To those who find science fascinating, the content is stimulating, educational, and entertaining. Written in the engaging genre of history, this book offers inspiration to the scientific community.
Medal Winners: How the Vietnam War Launched Nobel Careers
By Raymond S. Greenberg
Copyright (c) 2020
The University of Texas Health Press
ISBN13 9781477319420
Page Count: 401
Genre: History of Science
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