Shaziya Barkat

Doctor Diaries Shaziya Barkat

In 2020, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) plagued the world, causing a catastrophic increase in deaths and plunging all into quarantine. During this pandemic, healthcare professionals at the frontline of patient care met the defining point in their careers and were challenged in ways that they had never anticipated. As a pregnant hospital pharmacist and the wife of an emergency medicine physician in New York City, Dr. Barkat articulately reflects on her personal challenges as a healthcare professional, a patient, and a NICU mother. With the power of words, she also delves into the social and political climate of the year, touching on themes including mental health, identity, motherhood, faith, and love. "Doctor Diaries" is a collection of poetry and prose that wins the love of both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals alike. This compilation is a powerful work that captivates readers and allows them to simultaneously put on a white coat and a patient gown.