La Doctora: An American Doctor in the Amazon

by Linnea Smith

 In 1990, Dr. Linnea Smith went to Peru on an ecotourism vacation. She was so moved that she abandoned her thriving medical practice in Wisconsin to serve the Yagua Indians in the deepest part of the Amazon rainforest of Peru-alone. Taken straight from the pages of Dr. Smith’s journal,  La Doctora  offers readers a rare glimpse into the suspense and drama of practicing medicine in a culture far removed from the sophisticated supplies and supports of 20th-century medicine. Learn how Dr. Smith evolved from a “strange white woman” to an adopted member of the indigenous community. Her story of adventure, self-discovery and service creates inspiring testimony to one person’s power to make a lasting difference.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

239 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jessica Stroud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I visited her clinic this past fall in 2019. The clinic is still there and so is she. What an amazing place.... Everything she describes in her book is 100% accurate.

[Gage Slide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to start reading since the few years Ive been out of school I have slowly started to get the itch for it, now that it isn't a forced part of my life. I picked this up randomly off a shelf at a discount book store. This book was a trove of interesting information that made me disappointed at the times I would have to put it down. Linnea's story is an incredible and inspiring one, I hope to one day visit her clinic. I also cant help but think of what an amazing movie this could potentially be adapted into.

[Michael Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book as part of school curriculum which can be tough since memoirs and non fiction assigned to you can sometimes be a huge drag. This book definitely wasn’t, it’s an interesting account of a Doctor from central Wisconsin relocating to the remote Amazon of Peru. A lot of fascinating instances of the cultural and logistical differences of practicing medicine in the “developed vs undeveloped” world

[Laurie Neuwirth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because my daughter is spending a month in Peru and thought it would be an interesting perspective. Dr. Smith is a remarkable woman who does not choose the "path of least resistance." She is forced to use creativity and problem-solving skills to deal with the poverty and lack of resources she encounters while working as a Dr. in the rainforest region of Peru.

[Sheepdog · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Update, 10/22: I met Dr Smith, at the clinic, in 2007. As of 10/22 she is still there, still doing what is described in this delightful book. https://www.amazonmedical.org/, her life's work, is alive and well. She continues what you can read about in the book. Was Covid fun? Try Covid in the jungle. Visit the website, read the letters- they are accounts of life at the clinic. (The page goes from oldest to "recent", though it sometimes falls a bit behind the "latest" letter. (I have had several in 2022, as I am on the charity's mailing list.) I am fussy about what charities I support. This one gets some of my largest annual donations. (Update ends here.))

The true story of a young doctor who went, as a tourist, to the Peruvian Amazon in 1990.

Inspired to bring medical services to the people of the river, remote even from Iquitos... pretty "remote" itself, by some standards, she quickly returned.

The eco-lodge she had been to, Explorama, agreed to let her live in one of the staff huts, and offer medical aid to people who'd had precious little, previously.

Fast forward to 2014, when this review is written: She is still there.

The book is full of humor and love. The good humor and optimism with which Linnea overcomes extraordinary challenges... and accepts losing the battles she can't win... are inspiring. I hope the book will move you to contribute to the operating costs of amazonmedical.org.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to finally read this book after visiting Linnea's clinic a couple of years ago. Her story is fascinating and is one I find myself telling people about. Linnea has a great sense of humor and an amazing ability to adapt to conditions and be creative. Here is a woman who is working hard on adapting to a different culture while being true to herself and saving lives and making lives better in the process.

[Teelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading this story of one woman who fell in love with the Amazon on a vacation and decided to stay and provide health care for those who had none. Amazing how so many people manage to stay healthy or are able to heal themselves in that environment with so little in comparison to our super-modern super-sterile world here.

[Robin Lawrence Poses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have traveled to the Amazon River many times and met Doctora Linnea Smith. Her work continues to amaze me. Contact me if you are interested in supporting the Amazon Medical Clinic. I have seen first hand the difference she makes.

[Pat Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about an amazing woman who, after vacationing in the Amazon, went back to dedicate her life as a doctor to the local people. Having been at her clinic and in the surrounding village, the book was especially meaningful. Too bad our world doesn't have more people like her.

[Lola · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up skipping sections of this book because I wanted to read more about the illnesses she encountered & how she treated them. I wasn't as interested in
the descriptions of the area. I gave up reading after I'd read a large portion of the book.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for anyone considering entering the medical profession. Or needing to be talked into trying a new career. Or needing to take time before starting a new phase in life. Or interested in service. Or.... Just read it. It's good.

[Ciaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book - but a lot of it had ot do with the fact that purchased it off the doctor and that she sgned it fo me. I met the doctor while on a trip into the amazon jungle.

[Phyllis]

a personal friend of mine!

[Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not greast literature but an interesting story of a doctor who gave up a private practice in Wisconsin to minister to people in the Amazon jungle in Peru.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. She's more brave than I am. I like the idea of a simple, rewarding life but I also like electricity and distractions/lots to do.

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a very good book. interesting to see of someone going outside their world and out of their comfort to help humanity

[Gary Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book just before traveling to the upper Amazon. Incredible. Inspirational!

[Aurora Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!!!