The 1994 publication of How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter transformed the public understanding of clinical mortality, earning its author the National Book Award for Nonfiction. Sherwin B. Nuland, a career surgeon who bridged the gap between academic medicine and accessible prose, navigated a professional trajectory defined by the rigorous demands of the operating theatre and the nuance of bioethics.
Early Life and Education
Born Shepsel Ber Nudelman in the Bronx on December 8, 1930, he was the son of Jewish immigrants Meyer and Vitsche Nudelman. Raised within a traditional Orthodox household, he later transitioned to agnosticism. To circumvent anti-Semitic barriers in higher education, he officially changed his name before enrolling in college. He graduated from The Bronx High School of Science and subsequently earned his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, where he also fulfilled his surgical residency.
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His primary clinical tenure was spent at the Yale School of Medicine. Beyond his surgical responsibilities, he maintained an active academic profile by teaching bioethics and the history of medicine at both the medical school and Yale College. He served as a fellow of the Hastings Center, a prominent independent bioethics research institution, and contributed extensive analysis to publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the New York Review of Books.
Personal Struggles and Advocacy
During the early 1970s, Nuland faced severe clinical depression characterized by obsessive thoughts, stemming from childhood trauma and the collapse of his first marriage. Despite the initial suggestion of a lobotomy, he underwent electroshock therapy, which facilitated his recovery. He later detailed this experience in a 2001 TED talk, an address that became noted for its candour regarding mental health within the medical community.
Legacy and Death
Over his career, he authored numerous works, including The Doctors' Plague, The Art of Aging, and Leonardo Da Vinci. In 2011, he received the Jonathan Rhoads Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to Medicine. He died on March 3, 2014, in Hamden, Connecticut, following a battle with prostate cancer. He was survived by his second wife, Sarah Nuland, and his children, including Victoria Nuland, who served as under secretary of State for Political Affairs.
Fast facts
- Born: 8 December 1930, The Bronx, New York City
- Died: 3 March 2014, Hamden, Connecticut
- Education: New York University, Yale School of Medicine
- Occupation: Surgeon, writer
- Major Award: 1994 National Book Award for Nonfiction
- Notable Work: How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter
- Academic Home: Yale School of Medicine
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of his book How We Die?
It was a New York Times Best Seller and winner of the 1994 National Book Award for Nonfiction, providing a detailed look at the end of life.
Did Nuland have a career outside of surgery?
Yes, he was a prolific writer and lecturer who taught bioethics and medical history at Yale and contributed to numerous national publications.
Achievements
- Notable work: How We Die: Reflections of Life's Final Chapter
- Held posts at Yale School of Medicine
- Fields: surgeon
