Abraham Verghese is a physician, writer, tenured professor and senior associate chair for the theory and practice of medicine at Stanford University. Verghese’s first book, My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story, was inspired by his early years practicing medicine as an orderly, taking care of terminal AIDs patients. The book was selected as one of the best books of the year by TIME and was turned into a film directed by Mira Nair starring Naveen Andrews. Verghese has written several other books and his most recent novel, The Covenant of Water, was named one of the Best Books of 2023 for NPR, TIME, Kirkus Reviews, and a New York Times notable book of 2023. In 2010 Verghese launched the “Stanford Medicine 25” initiative to promote a culture of bedside medicine exam skills to students, residents, and healthcare professionals.