Renegade M.D.: A Doctor's Stories from the Streets

by Susan Partovi

Empowering stories from the frontlines of compassion.

Dr. Susan Partovi first experienced poverty medicine volunteering at a dump site in Tijuana during high school. There, she recognized the need for all people to have access to quality medical care. Over the years, she has worked in various facilities around Los Angeles County, incorporating her renegade method of going the extra mile for her patients. As Medical Director of Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, she works to provide a safety net of care for the underserved skid row community and surrounding neighborhoods.

Recognized internationally as a leader in street medicine, Dr. Partovi started documenting her patients' stories so that others could hear their voices. By addressing the practical and moral considerations when treating each patient, Dr. Partovi developed her philosophies about what it means to be a "good doctor." Along the way, she began to understand how her personal ethics evolved—from a challenging childhood and complicated relationships with her parents, through professional hurdles—often, she had to push against a system that doesn't always put the patient first.

Renegade A Doctor's Stories from the Streets is a powerful and inspiring memoir by Dr. Susan Partovi, a renowned street doctor who has dedicated her life to treating the impoverished around the world and people experiencing homelessness on LA's skid row. Through her stories, Dr. Partovi takes us on a journey to the heart of the challenges faced by those living on the streets, and shines a light on her unwavering commitment to advocate for social justice and to provide compassionate care to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2024

About the author

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Susan Partovi is the medical director of Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, an internationally recognized expert in the field of street medicine, and cofounder of H.E.A.L, a nonprofit that brings medical students and services to Haiti. She lives near the beach with her pups and when she's not there, she's out in nature with family and friends.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen to the audiobook. Narration was good. I love true medical stories. This book sadly was just average for me. I greatly admire the author for caring about the homeless and treating them, the stories just seemed flat, too short and a bit boring to me. She spent a lot of time talking about the unhoused and the policies in the country, sometimes even more so than their medical stories. She also talked about her mother. Those same exact stories were repeated many times throughout the book. While this book is published in 2024, her work throughout it took place a long time ago.

[Linda Strassle]

Dr. Partovi's Stories from the Streets is a deeply moving account of what it means to this big-hearted “renegade” physician to be a good doctor. Readers will likely find themselves inspired, wanting to join in trying to make a difference in the lives of the marginalized and stigmatized. The author writes with a beautiful blend of passion as an advocate, perspective as a professional clinician, and empathy for the patients she has devoted her life to serve.

[Josh Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up after listening to the author on a podcast. Her story is told well, with her personal life interwoven with those she cares for on LA’s notorious skid row.

As with most practitioners who have committed themselves to helping the destitute, her conclusions are her own, are free from political orthodoxy, reflect pragmatism, but remain hopeful.

I made notes in the margins and return to it often.

[Dree Hudson Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone should read this book

and understand how we are underserving people experiencing homelessness and paying much more now, than if we cared for them adequately.