Disrupter How Dr. Connie's Team Eradicated Smallpox in India
by Cornelia E Davis
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Pub Date 10 Jan 2024 | Archive Date 6 Feb 2024
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Description
Disrupter How Dr. Connie’s Team Eradicated Smallpox in India: This bold story is a gripping tale of audacity and disruption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
An African American woman doctor, fresh from her residency training in 1975, Dr. Cornelia Davis chose a less traveled path, a decision that would have profound global ramifications. In a historic endeavor by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate smallpox, a disease that had tormented humanity for millennia, Davis was thrust into the heart of India. There, she confronted deeply ingrained sexism and caste discrimination while relentlessly hunting for the last vestiges of this brutal illness.
Undaunted, she blazed trails through the scorching Thar Desert on camelback, ventured into the tense terrain of the Indo-Bangladeshi borders, and negotiated with dubious smugglers, all in pursuit of her mission. In her relentless quest, she even sought an audience with Mother Theresa in Calcutta as she embarked on a symbolic search for Sitala Mata, the Hindu goddess of smallpox.
This extraordinary journey culminated in a triumphant conclusion when an international team in 1977 certified smallpox eradicated in India. And in 1980 WHO declared the global eradication of smallpox a landmark achievement in medical history! Her disruptive methods and relentless will changed the traditional dynamics in the fight against smallpox, making her an integral part of a momentous achievement - the complete eradication of a human disease, a feat yet to be replicated.
Dr. Davis was not just another doctor; she was a barrier breaker, a societal disrupter who made a substantial difference in the world. Disrupter tells the inspirational tale of a woman who dared to upset the status quo and made a monumental impact on global health.
Advance Praise
"The arrival of your book was highly disruptive to my schedule ... I would rate it as one of the very best accounts of “life in the field,” told with humor, compassion, understanding, frustration, elation, and satisfaction. It is too interesting, too motivating to be on just a few bookshelves!
—D. A. Henderson, MD, MPH Director, WHO Global Smallpox Eradication Program
This is the remarkable story of a young epidemiologist, African-American and female, overcoming obstacle after obstacle to makeimportant contributions to the eradication of one of humanity’s most vicious scourges. As the leader of a team influenced by local cultural prejudices, she had to find creative ways to inspire, to motivate, to galvanize and, most of all, to succeed. She did all. Searching for Sitala Mata tells an important story with humor, tenderness, and honesty. It is an important book, one that should be on everyone’s reading list.
—Ronald Waldman, MD Smallpox Eradication Volunteer 1975–1976
Dr. Connie Davis had amazing experiences traveling to remote parts of India as a doctor trying to eradicate smallpox. She cap- tivated the members of our large book club with tales from her book, Searching for Sitala Mata, Eradicating Smallpox in India. The reader is taken along on the journey with her to places most of us will never experience. It is a great read and we were all inspired by her work and adventures. We hope she keeps sharing her work as a global public health doctor.”
—Robin Ahmann for The Woman’s Book Club, Everett, WA"
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798989244201 |
| PRICE | US$8.00 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Payton G, Reviewer
While reading this book, I could definitely tell that the author was really passionate about her work, and that she always worked diligently to complete a task. Seeing how she overcame such a challenge was something truly incredible to read about. I also enjoyed her creative edge that she added to this book that elevated the suspense and severity of the task she had to deal with. It was truly inspiring!
Thank you BooksGoSocial and Dr. Davis for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Frankie E, Reviewer
Inspiring and captivating read. This book was so beautifully written with interesting details and encounters, The author included a variety of topics and experiences in her travels which grasps your attention. While the subject matter is extensively covered, this account was written with a very personalized touch.
