Author James Lenhart’s first book inspired by a true story; author’s debut novel dramatizes the consequences of health care driven by profit, physician indifference
LAS VEGAS – Marché Bacchus French Bistro will host a book signing for Dr. James Lenhart’s first novel, “Conversations for Paco” from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Marché Bacchus is located at 2620 Regatta Drive, just off West Cheyenne Avenue and North Buffalo Drive. An open discussion of the book will begin at 6 p.m.
Inspired by a true account, “Conversations for Paco” juxtaposes the venerable institutions of medicine against the personal anguish of mysterious disease and dramatizes the consequences of health care driven by profit and physician indifference. Lenhart’s fictional work is inspired by true stories and real life characters gathered from 30 years of patient care, health care experiences and academic medical center rituals.
Lenhart began writing “Conversations for Paco” in 2007. Two parts social criticism, one part medical suspense, “Conversations for Paco” follows the story of Paco Sánchez and his wife Sarita as they desperately battle Paco’s perplexing disease. It opens in 2002 when an intern stymied byHumanitarianHospital’s uninsured patient policy “treats and streets” Paco for a sore throat. The young doctor asks, “Who for God’s sake wields the power to make taking care of patients some sort of charade or an entrepreneurial hoax? Who? What about the patient?” By the time Paco is admitted to a hospital that can help him, it might be too little, too late.
“While ‘Conversations for Paco’ is fictional, it is based on fact,” Lenhart said. “It is tempting to assume that the richest, most developed countries on the planet would boast the world’s best health results. Alas, such is not the case. The U.S. spends more on health care than any country on earth, yet worldwide ranks 31st in healthy life expectancy and 41st in infant mortality. Fifty million working Americans lack access to care, and 19 percent of Nevadans go without health insurance.”
Experts agree that many factors contribute to this reality. Lenhart’s book tackles two of them – the ethos and entrepreneurialism that characterize health care in the 21st century.
“Conversations for Paco” retails for $18.95 for paperback and $34.95 for hardcover and is available on Amazon.com and is soon to be released in electronic formats. For more information, visit http://jameslenhart.net or www.facebook.com/drjimshealthline.