Abraham Verghese is an esteemed American physician, author, and educator. He holds the prestigious position of Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine and serves as the Vice Chair of Education at Stanford University Medical School. Verghese's literary contributions include four best-selling books, encompassing both memoirs and novels, which have garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated readership.

In 2011, Verghese's achievements in medicine were honored with his election to the Institute of Medicine, and he was further recognized for his contributions to the humanities when he received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2015. Alongside his medical and writing careers, he is the co-host with Eric Topol of the insightful podcast, Medscape Medicine and the Machine.

Verghese's journey began as the child of Indian parents who were educators in Ethiopia, where he spent his early years. His medical education commenced in Ethiopia and, following the political upheaval that led to Emperor Haile Selassie's overthrow, Verghese continued his training at Madras Medical College. His journey to the United States was part of the wave of foreign medical graduates seeking residency, an experience he vividly recounted in his New Yorker article, The Cowpath to America.

Embracing the challenges he faced as an immigrant physician, Verghese's residency in Johnson City, Tennessee, from 1980 to 1983, marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would blend the art of medicine with the craft of storytelling.