The READ poster campaign at Georgetown University's Dahlgren Memorial Library began in 2004 to honor Dr. John M. Eisenberg and promote reading in various fields. Each year, members of the Georgetown community nominate and vote for representatives to be photographed with their favorite books and write short essays about how the books influenced them. The 2008 posters featured essays from faculty, students, and staff on how books such as "The Beak of the Finch" and "The Out of Sync Child" changed their perspectives on topics like evolution, education, and sensory processing disorders.

1. 2008 READ POSTERS

2. Origin of the READ Posters In 2004, a new Humanities collection was dedicated in honor of Dr. John M. Eisenberg. Dr. Eisenberg, former Georgetown University Hospital Department of Medicine Chair and Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as a lifelong bibliophile, believed in reading widely both within and outside of one’s field. The Humanities collection features literature, poetry, philosophy, history, biography, and other works and is designed to help current and future physicians and scientists grow professionally and personally through developing their intellectual interests.

3. Why a READ Poster Campaign? In Fall 2004, to honor Dr. Eisenberg and his vision, Dahlgren Library launched a poster campaign with the “ Cura Personalis ” theme during National Medical Librarians Month. The Library invited faculty from different departments to be photographed with a favorite book or a book that influenced their life or career and to write a short essay about the item for the program and Dahlgren’s website. The Library continues to annually honor Dr. Eisenberg and to promote the Humanities collection by photographing other members of the medical center community. Over the years the selection process has varied. In 2007, GUMC students wrote an essay to nominate their peers who they believed exemplified the concept of “ Cura Personalis ”. In 2008, all GUMC and GUH affiliates nominated and then voted for the Poster representatives.

4. READ Poster Display

5. 2008 READ HONOREES

6. Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor Paul Farmer Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2005 An intimate exposure of human suffering and injustice so profound that it leaves readers with a pervasive sense of unease. Farmer shows that human interactions: the agonizing cry of a hungry child, the desperation of mother who cannot protect her children from poverty and disease, can become potent and provocative motivations to act. Farmer offers concrete and pragmatic approaches to improving the lives of the most vulnerable populations in the world. One of many organization working to promote the health and dignity of children impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic is Touching Tiny Lives (TTL). Senior medical students from Georgetown's School of Medicine travel to Lesotho, Southern Africa on behalf of TTL. For more information, visit www.touchingtinylives.org. James F. Martin School of Medicine, Class of 2009, Georgetown University

7. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. I grew up in one of the "sand counties" of Wisconsin and my father, a forester like Dr. Leopold, used this book as a reference for his educational talks on nature and values. Aldo Leopold wrote about the beauty and inspiration of the natural world observed throughout the year at his weekend retreat in central Wisconsin. His book is particularly relevant today as he writes about our ethical responsibility to preserve the natural community in which we live. Carolyn Hurley, Ph.D. Department of Oncology Georgetown University Medical Center

8. The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time Jonathan Weiner New York: Vintage Books, 1995. This book changed the way I think about my work as a cancer researcher. I was struck by how the development and treatment of cancer can be readily understood and modified by understanding and applying the principles of evolutionary biology. I was intrigued by the general topic, which was particularly relevant in light of the evolving debate regarding creationism as an alternative to evolution. However, I was absolutely thunderstruck as I read the book, which showed evidence for natural selection, not by looking at trends that extend over millennia, but rather in obvious, readily measured, real-time increments. This perspective has actually transformed my own research, and has taken it in exciting new directions. Louis M. Weiner, M.D. Lombardi Cancer Center Georgetown University Medical Center

9. The Last Lecture Randy Pausch New York: Hyperion Books, 2008. As a former teacher, an aspiring physician and the child of a parent who lost their battle with pancreatic cancer, this book inspired me in many different ways. Despite the circumstances under which Professor Pausch was writing, the overall theme is not gloom and despair. Instead, it’s a guide to achieving your goals and finding joy in what you’re doing. This book reminds me that it is important to enjoy life’s gifts and it is necessary to share with others. Claiborne Childs School of Medicine, Class of 2011 Georgetown University

10. For One More Day Mitch Albom New York: Hyperion Books, 2006. Many of us would jump at the chance to have a little more time with a lost loved one or to make amends for past mistakes. Albom allows the reader to reflect on what one would do if they could do just that and offers the reader a chance to gain a new appreciation for family and loved ones in our lives. Sheanita Howard School of Medicine, Class of 2010 Georgetown University

11. Pedagogy of the Oppressed Paulo Freire New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2000. Education is more than just the transfer of knowledge. It has the potential to be an empowering, humanizing process for both the student and the educator. Freire shows us the power of critical thought through an engaging, mutual process of learning and growth for both the professor and the pupil. This is a particularly poignant message during medical school when a student physician may realize that a medical practice infused with compassion, mutuality and critical thought has the power to educate and heal the physician as well as the patient. Carlos Antonio Rivas School of Medicine, Class of 2012 Georgetown University

12. The Out Of Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder (2005) The Out Of Sync Child Has Fun (2003) Carol Stock Kranowitz New York: Berkeley Publishing Group Some children may have difficulties because of the way they process sensory information. These books have helped me explain this to families and show them alternative ways to understand and encourage their children. M. Janet Thomas, M.Ed.,OTR/L Center for Child & Human Development Georgetown University

13. The Gift of Pain: Why We Hurt and What We Can Do About It Phillip Yancey & Dr. Paul Brand Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers,1997 . Pain is not something that anyone wants to deal with. We dislike pain because it hurts and gets in the way of things that we want to do. Yet those without the capacity to feel pain, like diabetics or leprosy patients, develop pressure ulcers or get burned because of their lack of pain perception. "The Gift of Pain" is an amazingly insightful book that reminds me that everything exists for a purpose, even something as seemingly awful as pain. So the next time you quickly pull your hand from a hot stove and avoid getting burned or twist your ankle and avoid further injury because you have to stop playing, be thankful for the "gift of pain." Audrey E. Lung, M.D. Department of Pediatrics Georgetown University Hospital

14. Selling Teaching Hospitals and Practice Plans: George Washington and Georgetown Universities John A. Kastor, MD Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008 . The book is interesting reading. It gives the history of why Georgetown University sold it's Hospital to the not-for-profit MedStar Health. It interviews a number of faculty and administrators who have played an important role in the transitions occurring in the Medical Center over the past decade - many of whom I have worked with. It also has an interesting analysis on how medical schools can reduce expenses and increase surpluses - something I am always trying to do with my School of Medicine colleagues. Jeanne Walther, M.A.T School of Medicine Registrar Georgetown University

15. The Leadership Moment Michael Useem New York: Three Rivers Press, 1998. This is a great book telling true stories of nine people whose actions under stress had a enormous impact on the lives of others. Lifetime lessons can be learned from why some decisions worked while others didn't and how much we can influence our surroundings during a crisis or even on a day-to-day basis. Barbara Bayer, Ph.D. Department of Neuroscience Georgetown University Medical Center

16. The God Chasers Tommy Tenney Shippensburg: Destiny Image, 2001. As I reflect on life's challenges and accomplishments, I am often reminded of God's Word in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Tommy Tenney's The God Chasers has encouraged me to constantly seek God -- literally "chase" Him -- if I truly want to understand and faithfully carryout His purpose for me. Along life's journey, I know that I will encounter my share of joys and sorrows; it is the continual "pursuit" of God's wisdom that helps me make the right decisions for a meaningful and personally rewarding life of service to others. David L. Taylor, M.Ed School of Medicine Special Programs Georgetown University

17. Dahlgren Memorial Library Staff

18. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE 2008 READ POSTER CAMPAIGN AND UNVEILING. YOUR PARTICIPATION MADE IT A SUCCESS!