The White House Doctor: My Patients Were Presidents – A Memoir by Dr Connie Mariano

The White House Doctor

Format:	Hardback
Pages:	320
Published:	June 22, 2010
ISBN:	978-0312534837

My Book Review Rating:

Synopsis

A riveting look into the personal lives of our presidents through the eyes of their White House doctor…

Dr. Connie Mariano served 9 years at the White House under Presidents George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush. She participated in world headline-making news events and traveled all over the world. She cared for visiting dignitaries and was charged with caring for all the members of the First Family. From flirting with King Juan Carlos of Spain to spending the night on the Queen of England’s yacht, Dr. Mariano glimpsed a glittering and powerful celebrity that few ever see. White House Doctor is a fascinating look into what goes on behind closed doors at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Why did you decide to read this book?

I was asked to review this book by the publicist, but as ever that does not reflect on the outcome of my review.

What did you think about this book?

When I was asked to review this book I jumped at the chance to get a behind the scenes look into the happenings of The White House. Connie does treat us to a no holds barred view from her privileged position as doctor to the First Patient and his family. She looks back over the course of the nine years she spent looking after George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush sharing stories about how she treated the First Lady Hillary Clinton for a blood clot, how she cared for President Clinton’s mother as she battled with breast cancer and an inside peek into the Medical Evaluation and Treatment Unit at Bethesda Naval Hospital where a private ward is available just for the President and the Vice President.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in what really happens behind the doors of The White House. But that’s not the be all and end all of this memoir as Connie also gives us an insight into how she fought the typical stereotypes to not only reach the position of Physician to the President but also to become the first Filipino American in US history to become a Navy Read Admiral. She worked long and hard, putting her health, her marriage and even her life at risk as she devoted herself to her work protecting the First Patient.

Share a quote from the book

“‘Mission accomplished, Major?’ I asked, confirming that the injection of Toradol had been administered.

‘Well, yes, but not without incident,’ Ed added, and then explained. ‘I was about to give the president the injection of Toradol. The man had his pants down at his knees, and was bending over the counter to receive the injection in his right gluteus, when Eagle walked in.’”