See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor: A Graphic Memoir

by Grace Farris

When do you become a real doctor?


Now a celebrated cartoonist and practicing physician, in 2004 Grace Farris began med school with visions of ER and Scrubs. Across cadaver labs, operating rooms, and lecture halls, she embarked on the arduous road to becoming a doctor.


In her graphic memoir debut, Grace looks back on her journey through medical school and residency in her iconic palate of pastels. Through candid comics, readers experience the box of bones Grace must take home to study, the overwhelming smell of formaldehyde that emanates from the cadaver she dissects, the endless mnemonics and “-ologies” she must learn, and the racism and sexism that confront her in the healthcare system. As she works grueling, thirty-hour shifts and meets with patients from all walks of life, she discovers moments of joy, making her first correct diagnosis, matching at a top residency program, and, when she least expects it, falling in love. At the end of her residency, Grace takes on two new roles—attending physician and mother.


Touching and tender, See One, Do One, Teach One is a vivid portrait of the human side of healthcare and what binds patient and doctor together.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Memoir, Nonfiction, Comics, Medicine, Biography Memoir, Medical

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2026

About the author

Grace Farris is a mom, doctor, and illustrator. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, NPR, BuzzFeed, and she writes a weekly comic for the lifestyle blog Cup of Jo. Her comics and illustrations have appeared in exhibitions in the UK, Ireland, Austria and across the US. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. She is the author of Mom Milestones: The TRUE Story of the First Seven Years. Visit Grace at farrisgrace.com and on Instagram at @coupdegracefarris

Reviews

[Rod Brown]

Grace Farris provides an interesting, if subdued, account of her life from medical student doing anatomy studies with cadavers to her second year of residency when she is providing training to new interns.

I was always engaged by her day-to-day anecdotes, but also felt that the analysis was a bit shallow. She breezes through some case studies of various patients. She raises some intriguing critiques about racism, sexism, and dehumanization, but never really digs into them or does more than shake her head in disapproval. She hints at the amount of study and lack of sleep, but shrugs it off as part of the deal.

The art is a bit minimalist, but I do like her style and voice and have put a hold at my local library on her book about motherhood.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents:

Prologue: The Patient

Part I. Medical School: The Preclinical Years
• Chapter 1. Box of Bones
• Chapter 2. History of Present Illness
• Chapter 3. Lub Dub

Part II. Medical School: The Clinical Years
• Chapter 4. Small Adults
• Chapter 5. All Bleeding Stops Eventually
• Chapter 6. Insensible Losses
• Chapter 7. Fixed False Beliefs
• Chapter 8. When Are You a Real Doctor?

Part III. Residency
• Chapter 9. The Feathered Edge
• Chapter 10. Wish, Worry, Wonder

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

[Bin]

A perfect experience of training to be a doctor without all of the effort of actually doing it

[MKF]

I gave this book a one star the moment I saw an illustration of the author showing herself giving birth. If not wanting to see the author legs spread showing everything makes me a prude I will happily accept that label.

[Cari]

I loved this graphic memoir. It's so fast to read, and it's a fascinating journey through Farris's experiences of becoming a doctor and integrating her art into her new life. It lays out the different steps of becoming a doctor and highlights the huge amount of time spent in order to develop skills. Farris explores the emotions doctors can experience when they're not sure if they did the right thing or if it was just the patient's turn to die. She also shows the turmoil that can ensue from choosing a specialty, and she shows the different events that happen in each of her rotations. If you like The Pitt and want a quick read to learn how doctors become doctors, I highly recommend this.

[Maria Almaguer]

By nature, I've always been a curious person--my ex-husband called me "nosy," so be it!--and so I've always been fascinated by what draws someone to a specific career, and the road traveled to achieve that goal. Dr. Grace Farris tells that story in a charming manner, with simple drawings in muted colors. Her first year of study, her clinical year, her residency, and the ultimate specialty she decides on and why. Her thoughts on the psychiatry clinical fascinated me. Along the way, she falls in love and other life happens. I really admire her quiet, steady efforts as she realizes her dream. Her youthfulness and (apparent) kindness reminds me a lot of my own wonderful primary care doctor. For all graphic novel and memoir fans, this is a delight.

[Maya Lunt]

This was the first graphic novel I’ve read in like 8 years and it was so lovely. A realistic look into the process of med school and residency. It made me all the more excited for the path I’m on :)

[Victoria]

it is so reassuring to read something from a doctor who cares so deeply about being human. from the moment it started with her own patient story, I was hooked. it really is like learning to stand at the edge of a cliff. I can relate to naively walking into med school with primarily an understanding formed through tv and movies, and am constantly amazed and changed by the things I am learning. I was initially skeptical of the art style as well as the brevity of each story, but I think it served its purpose well. humor, misogyny, grief, stereotypes, and wonder all fade in and out of the journey that is medical training, often so quickly that there’s no time to really process or dwell. the individual stories of patients she meets (even in just the single-frame patient pages) told in just a handful of frames were some of the most impactful, and to be able to reflect on them at every step of her training is so touching. the most personal is the most universal. my future seems so abstract, but this helped me feel a little more connected to it.

the two frames of radiology is also peak humor

[Brittany R]

I enjoy Grace Farris’s cartoons on the Cup of Jo blog and her way of storytelling. This graphic memoir gave me great insight into becoming a doctor without the hard work of doing it myself! I understand the med school to residency pipeline much better now. I’m curious about “graphic medicine” and may look into more medical cartoonists (?)!

[Sophia Kiernan]

A very accurate description of medical training - highly recommend for spouses or parents of medical students and residents who want a perspective on the highs and lows!

[Devin Redmond]

I’ve been reading the blog?? 𝘊𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘰 for years. Long enough to remember when blogs were a thing like Substack is now. I guess?

Grace Farris, the author of 𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘖𝘯𝘦, 𝘋𝘰 𝘖𝘯𝘦, 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘖𝘯𝘦 was featured on 𝘊𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘰. And I couldn’t stop laughing because she wrote that she is famous for a recipe she calls pasta à la gala: You make buttered pasta and cut up a gala apple to serve with it.

Farris wrote this graphic novel memoir about becoming a doctor. It was fine. I’ve always wished I had the smarts and the personality to be a doctor.
No rating.

[Linda 😊 Tam]

Easy to read and yet so informative! I learned about what you have to go through to become a doctor. I was kind of astonished that even in the 1990s, there was rampant misogyny and racism. The author indicates that it’s gotten better, but I think we still have a long way to go. This was definitely an inside look into the training process that turns someone into a “real” doctor.

[Peacegal]

This was a unique and thought-provoking look into medical training and the process of becoming a doctor. It is true, some of the scenes were overly graphic, but this is where the more abstract sketching style of the illustrations saves the reader's eyes (and stomach).

The author is honest about the good and bad of medicine...she sees both tremendous dedication and heroism as well as casual prejudice and sexism. And of course, not everyone gets (or even has the opportunity to get) the care they need.

[Paulameena]

Definitely a book to keep on my desk whenever I need a pick me up during my medical training! I’ll reread this one and lend it out I’m sure!

[Mariama]

3.5 ⭐️

[Emma]

I enjoyed it but wanted a bit more of a central message. It felt like a travel log of medical school that briefly touched on interesting themes but didn’t give them enough time. I appreciated that the art style was not super graphic. I laughed at the repeated theme of lunch seminars about gross medical topics.

[Ivoree Malcom]

See One, Do One, Teach One by Grace Farris is a quick graphic novel that reads like a memoir—intimate, reflective, & quietly powerful. Through clean, expressive illustrations & sharp observations, Farris invites readers into her journey through medical school & residency with honesty & heart.

One of the most intriguing aspects is her glimpse into how medical students—future docs—rely on mnemonics to survive the overwhelming flood of information. It’s both amusing & fascinating to realize that even highly trained professionals lean on memory tricks, much like we learned PEMDAS with “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.” That parallel makes the world of medicine feel surprisingly human & relatable.

Farris doesn’t shy away from harder truths. She offers up-close & personal examples of physicians who lack empathy, often shaped by unrealistic expectations & the emotional toll of the profession. These moments add depth to the narrative, highlighting the tension between clinical detachment & compassionate care. Her reflections encourage readers to consider how the medical system can unintentionally distance doctors from the very people they aim to help.

What makes this graphic memoir especially compelling is how thoughtfully she breaks down each phase of her journey. From early uncertainty to the pressure of choosing a specialty, Farris vulnerably shares her apprehensions & self-doubt. That transparency makes her growth feel authentic & earned.

Perhaps most inspiring is how she seamlessly couples her creative side—illustration & writing—with her medical expertise. Rather than separating art & science, she blends them, showing that being a doctor doesn’t mean abandoning creativity. Instead, her artistry enhances her perspective, allowing her to communicate the realities of medicine in a way that feels accessible, compassionate, & deeply personal.

Overall, See One, Do One, Teach One is a thoughtful, engaging read that humanizes the path to becoming—& being—a doctor.

*I received an advance review copy for free & /I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

#ThankGodForARCs

[Jacob Betts]

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. #SeeOneDoOneTeachOne #NetGalley

Reading See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor: A Graphic Memoir felt like watching a great slice-of-life film. The kind where not much happens and everything happens at the same time.

There’s something about watching someone figure out who they are in real time that never gets old. Farris traces her years through med school and residency with equal parts honesty and humor. She doesn’t overdramatize the hard parts. The exhaustion, the self-doubt, the racism and sexism she runs into inside a system that should know better. But she doesn’t soften them either. They sit alongside the small wins, the unexpected joy, the anxiety, and the slow realization that she’s becoming someone she didn’t know she could be.

Her art style serves the story beautifully. The soft pastel tones and gentle linework give the whole memoir a warmth that matches the emotional arc of the story perfectly. Tender when it needs to be. Funny when it needs to be (and sometimes both at once).

At its core, See One, Do One, Teach One is a book about finding your place when you’re not sure you belong, a feeling that doesn’t care what field you’re in. Most people know it from somewhere, and Farris captures it in a way where her specific life experience carries a universal message.

If you like Derf Backderf, Thi Bui, Adrian Tomine, or Craig Thompson and want something with a bit more lightness without losing the substance, this one is worth your time.

See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor: A Graphic Memoir publishes March 24 and I’ll be buying a copy.

[Lauren]

As someone obsessed with shows like “The Pitt” but no aptitude to actually become a medical professional, this was an interesting look at the rigorous and grueling training it takes to become a doctor. I think in times when so many people reject science or dismiss doctors’ expertise, learning about all they go through to achieve that title is important. Are they perfect? No, doctors are only humans and perfectly capable of harboring biases, racism and misogyny. But reading books like this also help me feel a little more comfortable about seeking care, because these professionals are there to help. And they really don’t care if you have shaved! 😆

[Lizzy]

I didn’t like the art style, and I thought everything was so rushed and superficial. Was kind of wild to see how little she knew starting school even though she was such a big medical show fan. Nothing really inspiring or interesting or in depth here. Disappointing.

[Shana Bird]

4.5⭐️

[Julesy]

Grace Farris chronicles her journey to becoming a practicing doctor starting right before her first year of med school all the way through to being a practicing physician. She mentions how med school is absolutely nothing like what is shown on TV shows. The author matter-of-factly tells the story of the various things her professors said during her clinical rotations which remained stuck in her mind, particularly the saying “see one, do one, teach one” during an emergency splenectomy on her surgical rotation. The author details certain patients and situations on her rotations and residency.

Farris is also an artist and illustrated this graphic novel. During an interview with a hospitalist group, the interviewer suggested she do a comic in graphic medicine since she wrote a comic strip in college. Apparently, she thought about his suggestion and wrote this graphic novel. Where she found the time to do so with her career, husband and children is beyond me!

The only flaw was that it ended rather abruptly. I would have liked to see some of her experiences post-residency graduation. The timeline jumps from her residency graduation in 2011 to present day 2025. What happened in the gaps between post-residency and fellowship and fellowship to practicing doctor? I’m sure there were some memorable stories to share particularly during the COVID period.

As a mother of a son who traveled down a similar path to becoming a doctor, it provided me with more information than what I was able to drill out from my son, lol. Any student who is remotely interested in becoming a doctor or a parent of potential medical student should read this graphic novel to provide them with general expectations. It was extremely informative, outlining the years in med school, residency, and fellowship. The illustrations were lovely, simple and lightly sketched with muted colors.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

Rated 4.5 stars.

[Lexi (Reads and Riesling)]

As someone who had thought about medical school at one point, I did not necessarily learn anything new regarding that process. However, I think the author did a great job of explaining not just the process of med school and how each year functions for students, but she also went into detail about residency and possible internship years and I think many people will come out with a greater appreciation for all the time doctors put into their craft. I was also very pleased to see the author mentioning issues within the medical field such as lack of insurance, racial bias, and misogyny because it often feels like doctors can gloss over these issues as a way to try to separate themselves from this, but Dr. Farris was not afraid to say that she knows these are issues in the field and that she can sometimes play a part in them. But the way she is dedicated to talking about it makes me hopeful that the newer doctors will continue this conversation and work towards eliminating these issues. The one thing I was not a fan of was the illustration style, but I feel like it worked for this book, so I can’t really fault it for that. Overall, I think this graphic memoir provided great insight into the long process of becoming a doctor and I think many people will find it of great use.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC.

[Ije the Devourer of Books]

What makes a doctor? This is a graphic novel that tells the story about the author’s journey to becoming a doctor. Years of study, hard graft, joys, pain, scrubs, cadavers, births, deaths and the entire range of human emotions. The journey to becoming a doctor is not an easy one and this graphic novel shows this.

I did enjoy reading this but I thought the colouring was a bit dull. There were times when I thought the story was dragging and it began to feel like a long slog, but perhaps the training felt like that as well. Anyone thinking about training as a doctor should definitely read this book.

There were parts of this graphic novel that fascinated me, such as the ob-gyn department and the way in which some of the medical equipment looked like instruments of torture. It was also fascinating to see the way mothers are mostly held responsible for the health of their children in a way that fathers aren’t. In fact the fathers seemed to be absent. In any case this glimpse into the world of medical training is well worth a read.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Becky]

This graphic memoir on medical training is spot on; author Dr. Grace Farris nails it! This book is incredibly readable and relatable- I feel seen! She covers the ups and downs of medical school, residency and a bit beyond. The art is nice with pleasant pastel coloring and easy-to-read text that feels personal like a handwritten illustrated diary. This would make a perfect gift for anyone on the medicine career path or those who are established in the field and want to savor the nostalgia. The only negative thing I can say is that ophthalmoscope is misspelled on page 80, which is to say this book is otherwise 100% accurate in my eyes. Congratulations to Dr. Farris on successfully consolidating her training into <300 pages that left me wanting more. What a pleasure and privilege to read this book that had me smiling the whole way through with a few laughs and even tears along the way. I borrowed this book from the public library but will likely purchase a copy for my bookshelf and another for the workroom mini library.

[Kenneth]

A pretty quick read with very simple, yet lovely and colorful drawings, See One, Do One, Teach One is a touching memoir that provides an outline of Dr. Farris's journey through her education, career, and personal lives. For anyone that is looking to pursue a career in healthcare such as MD, PA, NP, RN, or any other 2-3 letter abbreviation that comes after your last name, this will provide insight into the impostor syndrome that nearly everyone faces at least once in their training and careers. There have been times where I seriously question what I am doing or what is the point, maybe I'm not built for this career, but even the best professionals you can think of has had those thoughts, and this memoir provides that reassurance that despite everything in your brain or the people around you telling you otherwise, you are indeed meant for this line of work.

[Cat &#x1f4ab; Saturn]

I was gifted this by my stepdad for finishing Step 2 and really enjoyed it! Medical education is such a gift to be able to shop around in so many careers before making a decision but it can also be such a taxing process filled with self doubt about whether medicine is right for you. I found that aspect to be super relatable. I found it interesting that so many of the quotes that doctors said to here were verbatim what I was told despite going to a different school and training at a different hospital. Unfortunately, I was told the “There are two types of women surgeons…” quote on my surgery rotation which opened my eyes to how much more work there is to be done to make medical education a safer learning environment.

This book also really inspired me to read more non-fiction graphic novels!!

[Lourdes]

I really enjoy books about professions I thought about when I was younger, but knew nothing about. This graphic novel is informative with some humor and a good sense of connection. The story and experience is easy to follow.

Reading "See One, Do One, Teach One" helped me understand the show "The Pitt" a lot more. It provided lots of clarity of what the difference between residents and attendings, all the experience doctors get through their years of schooling, and see all the opportunities students have to find their specialty.

Highly recommend this graphic novel!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Laura Wheeler]

See One, Do One, Teach One really brought home just how long and demanding the path to becoming a doctor is, and how deeply imposter syndrome can linger along the way. The story felt honest and grounded, especially in how it shows self-doubt not as something that disappears, but as something the protagonist learns to live with.
I think this would be an excellent read for students who are curious about or considering a career in medicine. I particularly loved the self-reflection around the push and pull between her interest in medicine and her love of art, and the way both identities coexist rather than cancel each other out.
I enjoyed the drawing style. I’m always drawn to graphic novels that tell contemporary, authentic stories like this one.
ARC via NetGalley

[Noelle]

⭐ 5
📖 e-book

This was such a nostalgic read. I entered PA school 10 years ago and this memoir brought back so many feelings and memory. In some ways, medical training is a universal experience. We all have long didactic hours and even longer clinical rotations. The patients are equally crazy and grateful. And women are constantly apologizing for not shaving before a pelvic exam (seriously, why do people feel the need to do this?).
If you have any interest in the medical profession, or are someone who has gone through it themselves, then I think you'll enjoy this graphic memoir. I loved every panel.

[Gretchen Alice]

I feel like between this and The Pitt, I'm basically qualified to be a doctor now.
Except not really, because I have zero interest in that and this graphic memoir from Grace Farris shows just how grueling and overwhelming the process of med school can be. Her version is also very rewarding - I loved it when she finally figured out her speciality - but it doesn't pull any punches about the grief and exhaustion and misogyny baked into the process. Her illustrations are simple, but effective. If I *was* going to med school, I would find this whole book to be very comforting to know that I wasn't alone.