Q: What inspired you to write a book about death that’s not only practical but also funny? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea?

Ever since I was a kid, I have been writing constantly, mostly in journals. When I became involved in medicine, writing became an outlet for me personally but also professionally. I started to capture patient stories as a way to teach people about health. I collected these stories, and they became the beginning of 99 WAYS TO DIE. This writing continued through my career, and eventually, I decided it was something that could go out into the world and make it a better place.

Q: How did you narrow it down to exactly 99 ways to die? Did any particularly absurd or terrifying ones just miss the cut?

Honestly, I wanted 100, but I got cut off.

Q: Were there any stories you found too intense, sad, or ethically tricky to include in the final draft?

Stories about children. This is something no one should have to experience, and they are difficult to relive for healthcare providers. There is a lot of psychological trauma in this job… and sometimes physical trauma, unfortunately.

Q: Your writing balances medical facts with dark humor so deftly! How did you work to strike that tone without making light of more serious or somber situations?

That is really tough, and hopefully I hit the mark. The emergency department often uses dark humor to get through the tough days and nights. It is often how we communicate and lift each other up. For the outside world, it might seem callous and at times crass, but we have jobs that many cannot imagine, and our careers ask unthinkable sacrifices from many of us. All this to say, I definitely toned it down for the book, but I have spent many years communicating through dark humor with friends and colleagues. And this form of empathy is where many of us find the fortitude to continue.

Q: Which of the 99 ways to die is the most preventable? And which one should we as a society be more afraid of than we probably are?

The most preventable are the vaccine-preventable diseases and medical influencers. Don’t buy healthcare from influencers. 

Q: Were there any death scenarios that even surprised you while researching them, despite all your ER experience?

Lazarus effect. It also made me really nervous about declaring anyone dead.

Q: What’s a simple tip from the book that everyone should remember—and that might actually save their life?

Don’t give children under one any form of honey. It can cause botulism.

Q: You cover everything from poison to serial killers to natural disasters. Was there one category that was particularly fun or challenging to write?

Serial killers was fun to write, since I had unfortunately met one.

Q: You’ve seen a huge range of catastrophes, from the more boring and commonplace to the rare and extreme. In your experience, do people worry more about the wrong kinds of dangers?

Definitely. The things that kill most of us, we do every day, like driving, eating unhealthy foods, smoking, and drinking alcohol. For instance, I am afraid of flying on planes, and this is statistically the safest way to travel.

Q: Who did you write this book for? People with anxiety? Medical nerds? True crime fans? All of the above? What are you hoping readers take away from this book?

The general public. Medical people may find it fun, but it wasn’t written for them; they already have plenty of medical books. My passion is making health information captivating and accessible for everyone. I hope readers take away a few important lessons, because they can be lifesaving.  

Q: How has writing this book (and reflecting on death in almost 100 different ways) changed your own relationship with risk, safety, and, dare I say it, mortality? Or is there nothing in the book that fazes you, considering all you’ve experienced in your medical career?

I have always been an anxious and, therefore, cautious person. I am an emergency medicine doctor who seeks to prevent emergencies. I would love to put myself out of business.

In the moment I appear calm, but death fazes me. It is a rough reality that we all face, and it is part of my life personally and professionally more than anyone would like, but it is something that also needs to be talked about and prepared for.

We live life like we have infinite time because the thought of having any less is disturbing, but it also makes life precious.