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Dakota Midday: 'Being Mortal'

Courtesy of Frontline

Because doctors are trained to fix problems, it’s difficult for many of them to talk about the one thing they can’t fix: death. In his book, Being Mortal, surgeon and New Yorker writer Atul Gawande explores how the medical profession could better help people navigate the final chapters of their lives with confidence, direction and purpose.

In a Frontline documentary based on the book airing tonight on SDPB-TV, Dr. Gawande interviews other doctors and sits in on their meetings with desperately ill patients. He also shares  how he dealt with the death of his father, also a surgeon.

Tom Jennings directed Frontline’s Being Mortal  and joined Dakota Midday to discuss the documentary.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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