Living and Dying in Brick City: Stories from the Front Lines of an Inner-City E.R.

by Sampson Davis, Lisa Frazier Page

A riveting personal exploration of the healthcare crisis facing inner-city communities, written by an emergency room physician who grew up in the very neighborhood he is now serving
 
Sampson Davis is best known as one of three friends from inner-city Newark who made a pact in high school to become doctors. Their book The Pact and their work through the Three Doctors Foundation have inspired countless young men and women to strive for goals they otherwise would not have dreamed they could attain. In this book, Dr. Davis looks at the healthcare crisis in the inner city from a rare perspective: as a doctor who works on the front line of emergency medical care in the community where he grew up, and as a member of that community who has faced the same challenges as the people he treats every day. He also offers invaluable practical advice for those living in such communities, where conditions like asthma, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and AIDS are disproportionately endemic.
 
Dr. Davis’s sister, a drug addict, died of AIDS; his brother is now paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair as a result of a bar fight; and he himself did time in juvenile detention—a wake-up call that changed his life. He recounts recognizing a young man who is brought to the E.R. with critical gunshot wounds as someone who was arrested with him when he was a teenager during a robbery gone bad; describes a patient whose case of sickle-cell anemia rouses an ethical dilemma; and explains the difficulty he has convincing his landlord and friend, an older woman, to go to the hospital for much-needed treatment. With empathy and hard-earned wisdom, Living and Dying in Brick City presents an urgent picture of medical care in our cities. It is an important resource guide for anyone at risk, anyone close to those at risk, and anyone who cares about the fate of our cities.
 
Praise for Living and Dying in Brick City
 
“A pull-no-punches look at health care from a seldom-heard sector . . . Living and Dying isn’t a sky-is-falling chronicle. It’s a real, gutsy view of a city hospital.”—Essence
 
“Gripping . . . a prescription to help kids dream bigger than their circumstances, from someone who really knows.”—People
 
“[Dr. Davis] is really a local hero. His story has inspired so many of our young people, and he’s got his finger on the pulse of what is a challenge in Newark, and frankly all across America. . . . I think his book is going to make a big impact.”—Cory Booker

“Some memoirs are heartfelt, some are informative and some are even important. Few, however, are all three. . . . As rare as it is for a book to be heartfelt, well written and inspirational, it’s even rarer for a critic to say that a book should be required reading. This ought to be included in high school curricula—for the kids in the suburbs who have no idea what life is like in the inner cities, and for the kids in the inner cities to know that there is a way out.”—The Star-Ledger
 
“Dramatic and powerful.”—New York Daily News

“This book just might save your life. Sampson Davis shares fascinating stories from the E.R. and addresses the inner-city health crisis. His book is an important investment in your most valuable resource: your health.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Medicine, Medical, Health, Biography, Audiobook

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2013

About the author

Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt are practicing physicians, authors and the founders of The Three Doctors Foundation."

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Black doctor recounts his experiences working in the ER at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, some of which are grisly if not bizarre (a poor dying 700-pound female patient). His earnest desire to heal and help his patients shines through. I enjoyed reading his night shifts spent in the ER the most. His stories show a medical system that doesn't work for all of our citizens. His writing is accessible and interesting. He draws on his poor upbringing to add texture to his different doctor stories. I learned some new things, which is why I like to read nonfiction books.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Dr Davis' book which was cowritten with the other two men who he went through college and medical school with and became The Pact. I also read their followup book, so was glad to see this book out by one of the author's and real glad to know that he is still doing great works in the same city that he was born and bred and moving on with his life in a more positive direction. this book discusses his work as an Emergency Room Doctor at the various hospitals he has worked at, and his experience with the various patient's that has also come his way. very interesting work.

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It wasn't my favorite medical book to be honest.
Dr. Davis did a great job at telling his experiences as an ER doctor. Some of the stories are ... traumatic, raw and graphic.. Which one would expect working in an ER.
Dr. Davis also did a great job at including some educational aspects in his book.. He listed some health tips, some definitions, etc.
I think I'd check out other books by this author.

[Tanya Wadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book that kept me very interested throughout. Most of the chapters made me cry. The book is about the afflictions of a poor inner city documented by an ER doctor who grew up in the area and was fortunate enough to take a different path.

Those afflicted are mainly poor black people who in many cases are suffering because of poor traditions and bad decisions, which results in problems like drug abuse, STD's, obesity, gang violence, and so forth (often leading to premature death rather than a long life).

With such a strong faith and religious background, I felt constantly grateful for a belief system and life framework that has allowed me to avoid these kinds of suffering. I wish I could really make a difference to these people and say, "There is a better way!" I wish that these people didn't have a life path that seems in some ways destined to heartache and failure... I can see for a lot of people that such a life path seems almost unavoidable since we are in a sense "wired" by our life experiences and what we see. Ultimately the opportunity for each person to choose allows some people to say, "I want better" and escape the horrible things that entrap others in the community.

I can't help but say that I'm thankful for a merciful God who perfectly understands every person and who can in the end compensate for injustice, and whose love extends to every person. The shame of this world and the evil that exists will one day be completely overcome. I have to restrain myself from sharing more of my Christian beliefs! : )

[Tony Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration comes in many forms and in this particular book it came in 3. #Determination #Dedication #Discipline. This book helps to solidify how choices we make impact our lives whether they are positive or negative. Dr. Davis was able to pinpoint the pivotal moment in his life that helped to define his future and what he expected out of life and deserved out of life. Dr. Davis takes you on his own personal journeys of self-reflection of his encounters with patients and the choices they made and the results. This book intertwines personal experiences, challenges and relevant issues such as crime, poverty, depression and drug abuse that plagues our communities and societies. Davis could have easily removed himself from the environment like so many others do. What is brilliant about Dr. Davis is his actions are a true reflection and depiction of his words. People who shine from within don't need a spotlight and this is why I have chosen to ensure all youth leaders I mentor receive a copy of Dr. Davis’ book and weekly we conduct roundtable discussions in order to understand you are the choices you make. This is an extraordinary and well written book that anyone of any age; going through anything can relate to. Living and Dying in Brick City

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part memoir, part resource guide, part political commentary and a lot of hope. The author, Dr. Davis, introduces struggles of an urban community through his work as an ER doctor in the area he grew up in. Most chapters highlight some challenge within the community such as violence or drugs, or health problems like obesity or smoking, as patients come through the ER. While describing a patient he is treating, he reflects on the challenges that he and his community have faced with that same issue. At the end of those chapters Dr. Davis provides helpful information and resources pertaining to the issue.

Highlighting the similarities of his youth with the youth who die because of drugs and violence, Dr. Davis looks at his life, wondering how he escaped the path that the others hadn't. His caring about his community, particularly the young people, shaped his career and the path he has taken professionally.

This was an easy to read and compelling book and one that I recommend.

**I received a copy of this book free from the publisher with no expectation of me to provide a review.

[Melissa Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read (or in my case, listen) for those who are interested in systemic, public health care issues faced by those who reside in our inner city neighborhoods. Through compassionate storytelling, David provides a compelling case for Americans to take a closer look at the disparity in health care that is evident in our society. Each chapter is dedicated to a different public health care issue. Gun violence, drug addiction, HIV, STDs, and diabetes are just some of the serious issues he covers. Each chapter ends with a list a resources, which is not fun to listen to (I started skipping it after the 3rd chapter). However, I believe that these lists would serve as a great resource for those who are reading the material. This is NOT a dry book, but filled with page after page of stories from his experiences working as an ER doctor, as well as experiences from his childhood. This is a great example of how authors can use storytelling as a way to help us understand and care about public issues better.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read book about an ER doctor who grew up in Newark and pushed himself to get where he is today. This book is meant to be an educational read on urban public health issues, for people who are living this reality, so each chapter is about something particular that affects urban or African-American residents. It's shown through the lens of his personal experience, plus lots of statistics and resources as well. It's pretty sad, but hopeful, and I tore right through it.

If you like medical memoirs, I feel Black Man in a White Coat is a good companion book to this. This book is about challenges that urban residents and African-Americans face in our cities, BMiaWC is about the stigmas African-Americans have to deal with, both as doctors and patients. I really enjoyed both.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Sampson Davis grew up in Newark, NJ (aka Brick City) and later worked as a physician in the ER of one of the hospitals in Newark.
Davis weaves together stories of people that seek care in the hospital, his own life growing up in a less than ideal home, and facts about various diseases.
Davis stories helped me to better understand why many people from the inner city become trapped in self-defeating behaviors.

[Cherisa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable memoir that mixes medical stories from the ER with issues that affect and impact the health, well being, and lives of residents in inner cities. Davis grew up on the streets of Newark and stayed to give back. Developing and working in community outreach programs, he appears to be one of the good guys, though he does toot his own horn a bit. That however doesn’t detract from the accolades he appears to deserve and the good he does with his work and messaging.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads)]

It's not that there's anything wrong with this book, I just don't think it was written for me. It was written partly for those living in the inner city, with information to help them deal better with certain medical emergencies and challenges of life. It was, perhaps. written partly for the average suburbanite of a decade ago, who was completely clueless about real inner city life. It would likely even still be good read for the more sheltered suburbanites and others of today who are somehow STILL clueless about inner city life.

While I can't claim to be anywhere near an expert on the inner city, I did feel like this book was covering old ground for me on every level.

[Ryan Casey McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book for a while but finally brought it along on a trip to pass the travel time. It’s a little corny at some parts but overall very interesting read. I’m currently doing my residency in Newark at University Hospital so I work in the same EDs and with the Trauma Surgery service discussed in the book. Relatable stories to my experiences, which made the book that much more entertaining. Good representation of the issues seen in healthcare with these underserved communities. Unfortunately, not much has changed between the stories he tells and the stories I’ve gathered in my time here, even though there is a 20 year difference.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love memoirs, Love medical stories. This is both. Listened to on audio. The narrator’s ok, very clear, but somehow a bit annoying to my ears at times, a little grandiose maybe? But the author’s story is so interesting, how he grew up in the hood yet made it out and became an ER doctor in the very hospital he was born in, more than makes up for the so-so narrator. Loved how the author gave back to his community, really works hard to reach young people to let them see that there’s a way out of poverty and despair. Recommended.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Very sad moments while reading. I would love to have him as a doctor!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good, got me crying in my parents’ house over Christmas 😭

[Anwar Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be sure, I have a bias in that I’m also an ER doctor. I say that to mean that I will not find the stories as riveting as those who don’t live and breathe the stuff. that said, I do think a lot of it is well written, and many of his descriptions are rich in detail. I did find myself skipping over the more didactic portions of the ends of the chapters where he lists resources, and things like that.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living And Dying In Brick City is a nonfictional novel about a young boy who did not grow up as fortunate as others, in which his environment reflects. Against all odds he makes it to the big leagues and exceeds all limitations set for his future. As he struggled at a younger age with the pressure and temptation of drugs and alcohol, he managed to successfully make it out of "Brick City", unlike many of his friends and achieve dreams he never imagined possible. I found this book quite compelling because of the fine example of strength and perseverance the narrator, Sampson Davis, M.D. exhibits. He proves that no matter what situations you encounter, there is always a way to rise above them. There are many times in the novel where people he knew as a child ended up in situations where they decided to continue risking their lives, instead of learning from their mistakes and trying to improve themselves. Most of the people he recognizes that end up in his hospital are there because of drug use or gang violence. I was actually surprised by the fact that in his younger years, Davis spent most of his time hanging out with people who were associated with gangs. It was also shocking to discover that he sometimes participated in the criminal act of robbing. I was very impressed at how big of a comeback he made from stealing to giving and taking care of others. His biggest dream, in which he accomplished, was becoming a doctor and throughout this books he reflects on how his past relates to many of the patients he encounters. In addition to his success of becoming a doctor he starts his own foundation with two of his closest friends where they inspire children who are less fortunate by pairing them up with people who have achieved goals similar to the childrens' aspirations. I strongly recommend this book for young readers mainly to show them that your only limitations are the ones you set for yourself and that anything is possible.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a goodreads first reads winner of the book"Living and Dying in Brick City.Stories from the Front Lines of an Inner-City E.R." Dr.Sampson Davis wrote this memoir of the few years he spent working in the E.R. at Beth Isreal hospital in Newark New Jersey.
Dr.Davis saw a lot of cases many tragic. He writes of treating patients he went to high school with who come in with gun shot wounds. Working in an inner-city hospital there are a lot of patients coming in with wounds dealing with violence.
he treats domestic abuse cases that have ended with tragic results. patients with aids{including his own sister,not a patient} asthma, heart attack, obesity{the woman was over 700 pounds} strokes etc.
I liked that at the end of most chapters are helpful guidelines. such as listing symptoms of cardiac arrest, venereal diseases,help for domestic abuse phone call and centers. he even list adoption agencies for people who can not keep their babies and for those who cannot have babies.
I found this book for interesting and helpful. lots of advice at the end of most chapters than can save a life. Glad I won this book.

[Gallus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few things I've read in my life that I sincerely consider life-changing. Maybe that has something to do with the context in which I first read it. I was barely fifteen years old. I had grown up in relative privilege, and while growing up with a sibling with disabilities made me more aware than most of my peers of the faults in the United States healthcare system, I also lived in a community whose healthcare was astronomically better than the one described here.
For me this book was more than a lesson in medical inequality, it was a lesson in injustice as a whole. It was the first time I remember recognizing the problems facing underserved communities and beyond that, it was a lesson in empathy for people of whose situation I was not even previously aware.

[Kathy Eich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a powerful read. It wasn't merely that Dr. Davis succeeded against all odds that made the books point. It was also that he returned to his hometown with new eyes and a clearer understanding of the consequences of poverty, abuse, and hopelessness. His personal story is punctuated by the story of those in his hometown who struggle for balance and wellness in life. People he grew up with die in his emergency room, and his personal history as a criminal allows him to see himself in their eyes. If you're into community service, community health and preventive medicine, this book is a must read.

[John Devlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too earnest. The anecdotes leading to info on venereal disease, asthma, or depression all too didactic.

Nevertheless, Dr Sampson is a serious fellow and his accomplishment is noteworthy..

Tales of drug addicts, the sick, the obese, the gun shot victims come through vividly. What I didn’t read was all this talk I see on the Media about racism.

Dr Sampson tells tales that about the Hood that pin responsibility on the people who are obese, smoking, gamgbanging, drug taking. He even remarks how uncool it became once he was a teen to be seen as wanting an education.

Hmmm.

[Deborah Cleaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divided treatment.

The stories that directly address the doctor’s personal experiences and the conclusions he draws from them are fascinating. But then you get to the post-discussions which have dot (you’re a dummy) lists and the ever so helpful suggestions for brain dead committed family members which just stop me cold with their condescension. That takes away all the warm fuzziness from each part previously enjoyed. Cannot recommend to any but the most uninformed caretakers.

[✿✿✿May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the memoir of Dr. Davis who grew up in the hood of Newark. His life could have been very different as many of his friends, but he chose to be better!! He eventally went back to the hospital where he saw many of his friends died of gun violence, domestic abuse, drug addiction and poor health, including his own sister, who he could not save. It was honest, non self-indulgent and bleak. Kudos to his Three Doctors Foundation!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living and Dying in Brick City, a memoir written by M.D. Sampson Davis told to readers through personal experiences and memorable stories of being an Emergency Surgeon in an Inner City, is unlike any other book I have read before. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, african american Sampson Davis has seen more than most people have seen in their lifetime. Living in the middle of a mostly African American populated community, Sampson grew up seeing and even being in the middle of issues these communities face as being part of an Inner City. From violent brawls to drug dealers, Sampson tells the stories of teens and young people who were brought up into a world where teenagers do not belong. When Sampson is younger, he is already different than everybody else in some way. He cared about his education, he had bigger goals and bigger dreams, just like a few other kids he grew up with. But he wasn’t completely different. He, just like a lot of his peers- had found himself in the middle of a drug deal situation, in which he knew he definitely belong in the middle of. As Sampson grows up, he finds his passion of Medicine. Feeling the need to give back to his chaotic community, he goes to Medical school and eventually comes back to start his residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center where he feels a connection to. As Sampson spends hours and hours working in this ER, he sees things that only remind him how broken his hometown is. Common patients included sickle cell anemia patients, overdosers, and victims of gunshots. Others were domestic abuse patients, and addicts who claimed they were in pain but were abusing their right to painkillers in the hospital to feed their addiction. Watching these patients come and go, some of them who he knew or had personal memories of, hit him hard and really made him think. How do these kids get themselves into such terrible situations? How am I supposed to give these girls morphine if I think they are only using it to get high? Sampson somehow sees the interwoven connections from his personal experiences growing up and his patients. With advice about symptoms of diseases, adoption, drugs, HPV and more, Sampson explores the personal stories of those who were affected by the broken system of their his city.

A quote that really helped show me what this book was really about was, “This long standing crisis is beyond what law enforcement can handle alone. Children growing up in poor urban neighborhoods aren’t programmed by their DNA to run around with guns, killing one another. Violence is learned behavior. And I know from my own experience that the negative lessons learned in an environment saturated by drugs and violence can be unlearned. I also know that so many of our kids who are caught up in this cycle want better. Somehow, we must help them find it” (23). After reading this, I thought that it pretty much summed up Davis’s intentions and feelings towards a topic that hits so close to home. Sampson grew up being pulled into this world of violence, just like his peers. But he found his way out because just like so many people, he wanted more in his life. He can big goals. But he was one of the few who was lucky enough and strong enough to make it out of the cycle.

I could tell from the passion and emotion in Davis’s tone that he felt very strongly about the types of things that were happening to all the people coming into his ER. He gives us professional medical advice on conditions that are very common for Inner City citizens. In the end Davis wants to send a message to readers and make a valuable resource for those who care about this topic or those who are experiencing it. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in medical topics, and who would enjoy insight into a part of cities that they may not know that much about.

[Dr. Ashori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book. This one just slaps you awake, in a good way. You don't see it coming but the author does a great job of telling you the real stories. I definitely recommend the audio version of this book because the voice adds so much to this book.
Dr. Davis weaves in some clinical advice in his book. I am curious why this was done but it was clever nevertheless. The personalities of the people he grew up with, his friends, his own life, there is so much character and vividness in his tales, hard to believe these things actually happened.
I am now reading his other book but as a physician I find this book so much more engaging. Among the few books which get better towards the end. I have a feeling he not only had a great editor but wanted to end this book strong which must have taken him some effort and time. Well worth it.
It's hard to imagine what it must have taken for the author to sidestep the fate of his peers and make it into medicine. From his family to friends and mentors it seems that it was a group effort to prevent him from following the status quo.
As a minority myself and an immigrant it's easy to look at the struggle of inner-city minorities, especially the cohort of blacks and hispanics the author references, and minimize it compared to my own group. But I haven't faced centuries of blatant and institutional racism. I don't have to struggle with real estate groups which profit off of my people staying poor. I don't see negative role models on media channels - in fact, all of my role models are doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
As doctors we know how important it is to intervene early and this book is a great reminder of that and something the author is doing with his work.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. The author obviously understands inner-city life and is dedicated to ameliorating the problems that go with it. His stories on interactions with various patients are mostly heartbreaking, and well written. If they comprised more of the book, I'd give it another star or two.

I didn't like the lists at the end of the chapters so much. They have basic info and advice on the medical problem that the chapter was about. I didn't even read them. I'm not sure who they would be useful to. If you have these issues, you probably have heard it all before; if not, you probably aren't very interested. Maybe there's a perfect audience for them, but it's not me.

The author seems personable and genuinely nice. Apparently he's gotten a lot of well-deserved recognition for his community involvement. But there was something about the book that didn't click with me, and I'm not sure what it was. Maybe he's slightly too humble, but with a small side of smugness? I don't know. I did like the medical stories and the view of what it's like to grow up in the inner city.

[M Samuell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healthcare Hero

For some inexplicable reason, I continue to find myself drawn to medical memoirs. By and large I've found that they typically fall into one of two categories:

Either the doctor in question recounts the struggles that brought them to where they are in their career,

or they use their experiences to press specific failings in the health care industry.

Both narratives have their places, though neither are wholly rewarding.

This is where Sampson Davis (MD) stands apart.

In recounting his personal narrative, Davis does not put himself on a pedestal, nor does he concentrate on his flaws to the degree of feeling like the reader is in a confessional.

Rather, he plainly states the disparities he's seen in the inner city and uses each story to share his first-hand accounts of some of these rampant medical issues. He covers such issues as AIDS, gun violence, and obesity- offering resources for each at the end of each chapter.

I found this to be a very refreshing change of pace that perfectly blends realism and humanitarianism without pretending to be more than a case study or coming across as peachy.

Would definitely recommend. 👍

[Helen Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realistic look at being an inner city WE doctor

This book was easy to read and gives a inside look at what it's like to be an WE doctor in Newark, NJ. Mixed with details of his own upbringing and how he came to escape the gangs and drugs of the inner city, his stories are well written and descriptions are vivid. Each chapter focuses on a different medical problem he frequently sees and at the end of the chapter, he gives real life suggestions to help prevent or overcome those problems. As a health professional, I felt it was an inspiring but realistic compilation of events through Dr. Davis's eyes that left me hopeful that there are people who still feel compelled to give back to their communities to help make them better and safer places to live.

[Samah Sharmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Dr Davis integrates his clinical and personal experience with actionable checklists to address various epidemics plaguing US cities, from gun violence to obesity to drug addiction to STDs. By writing about his patients with such humanity, Dr. Davis memorializes their stories to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and the general public.

The final chapter was slightly different, and I didn’t care much for the details about funding/negotiations, but it was a helpful reality check for people intending on doing serious community work in their medical career . I’d be curious to know how attitudes among hospital management has changed in the years since—schools always tout their commitment to community service, but do hospitals follow suit?

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Sampson Davis grew up in New Jersey, in the Brick City. He and two friends made a pact that they would go to college and become doctors. They succeeded. He returned to the neighborhood he grew up in as a Resident in the Emergency Room at Beth Israel Hospital. In each chapter he tells stories of his past that are connected with something that happened at the hospital and at the end of each chapter he lists sources to consult for help in dealing with a problem or a disease.
He reminds me of my younger son in his 3rd year of med school. For awhile before med school my son worked as a nursing assistant in the critical care unit of a hospital. He would get quite aggravated about people coming in constantly with the same problem over and over. There were told what to do to get over this, but didn't. He also talked of the difficulty of giving pain medication to addicts.
Dr. Davis also grew aggravated with those who seemed to have given up on helping themselves. He began to work more with patients to try to get them to see that they could help themselves. This book is one result of that effort with the references at the end of the chapters.