Memoir
One Life, No
Rehearsal
A Surgeon's Memoir of Healing, Heartbreak, & Legacy
About The Author
Donald A. Wiss MD
Dr. Donald Wiss is a retired orthopedic trauma surgeon and past president of the Orthopedic Trauma Association. Over a distinguished career spanning four decades, he trained surgeons from around the world and published widely in the field of fracture care. In this memoir, he shares not just his professional path, but the personal joys and heartbreaks that shaped his life. He lives in Los Angeles, where he remains active as a writer, mentor, and advocate for Alzheimer’s caregiving..
03
Books Published
4.5
User Reviews
03
Best sellers awards
Autobiography
MEMOIR: One Life, No Rehearsal
In this medically rich and deeply personal memoir, orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Donald Wiss traces his life journey from inner-city Detroit to surgical leadership in Los Angeles. The story culminates in his most personal challenge: caring for his wife, Deborah, through early-onset Alzheimer’s. Both honest and heartfelt, the book offers insight into the life of a surgeon, the realities of caregiving, and the enduring pursuit of meaning.
All author royalties are being donated to OPICA, a non-profit 501( c )(3) memory care center in Los Angeles. Your contribution is tax deductible.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford Lends His ”Voice” To Alzheimer’s Care
I met Harrison Ford at the celebration of life for a close mutual friend who had died unexpectedly in a plane crash. We were both asked to speak—Mr. Ford reflected on our friend Randy as a pilot, while I spoke about him as a surgeon. Recently, our paths crossed again at a fundraiser in Los Angeles, where we reminisced about Randy and the impact of his loss. During our conversation, I shared the tragic news of my wife Deborah’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In a gracious gesture of support, Mr. Ford suggested we take a photo together as his way of “lending his voice” to Alzheimer’s research and care.
