PROFILE:    Richard P Wenzel    Teacher, physician and writer Dr. Wenzel's Personal Website

Richard P Wenzel is one of the leading infectious diseases epidemiologists in the world, having established his reputation in the field of Infection Control in Hospitals.

He has trained over 50 fellows and hundreds of visitors to his institution.

The author of over 480 scientific publications, six text books and a popular book of essays in medicine. He is Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. There he is also President of Medical College of Virginia Physicians (Practice Plan) and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.

In 2001, The National Institutes of Health named him one of the 10 "Great Teachers" in category Clinical Medicine Service.

He is the founding editor of two journals: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology and Clinical Performance and Quality Health Care. Having served on the Editorial Board of The New England Journal of Medicine from 1992 to 2000, he was named the Journal's first Editor-at-Large in 2001.

Commenting on his popular book, Stalking Microbes, Emory University Professor of Medicine John Stone, MD, poet, essayist and editor of On Doctoring said the following:

We are leaving now for a tour of the infectious circles of civilization -- and not a moment too soon. Our guide will be this splendid and necessary book. Our leader is a wide and gentle Virgil, a renowned expert in infectious diseases -- and an excellent storyteller. Our tour will center on dangerous infections all over the world, from those that lurk in critical care units to the Staph infection in George Washington's leg. We will learn how some simple maneuvers - hand washing, for example - have changed the course of childbirth and wars. We will see our guide in appropriate costumes: from distinguished clinician/scientist to hilarious bat-catcher in his own house (protected fortunately by a bicycle helmet). Along the way, we may even learn to save a life, including our own. The tour will be full of adventures and fascinating tales, including some definite old-fashioned heroism, all guaranteed. No shots required.

Sherwin B. Nuland, MD, Professor of Surgery Emeritus at Yale University School of Medicine and author of The Doctor's Plague, The Wisdom of the Body and How We Die said this of Wenzel's book:

What is more fascinating than a medical career spent in the front lines of the battle against infectious disease? And who is better qualified to tell the exciting stories of the campaign than one of its ablest generals, the gifted and empathetic Richard Wenzel? The answers to these questions are "nothing" and "no one", which is why Stalking Microbes is such a unique and page-turning read.

Kevin J. Towner, Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Microbiology and Infection wrote:

The author is a great storyteller and I was immensely entertained. This book should be essential reading for students and those who are just starting a new career in epidemiology and infection control, not least because, in among the stories, you will find an immense enthusiasm for our profession, a distillation of why we do what we do, and a reaffirmation of the continued need to respect the doctor-patient relationship.

Graham Ayliffe, Reviewer for Journal of Hospital Infection, Hospital Infection Research Laboratory, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK, commented:

Although Richard Wenzel is perhaps best known for his work on surveillance and control of infection, he recognizes the importance of a good doctor-patient relationship and fears that this may be lost in the future. This series of essays on his thoughts and personal experiences over many years should be of interest to infectious diseases physicians, medical epidemiologists, medical microbiologists, infection control nurses and, particularly, the trainees in these specialties.

Conny Brothers, Program in Creative Writing, University of Iowa, noted:

Beautifully written and has something all of our fiction writers want – narrative drive. I couldn’t put it down.

Abraham Verghese, MD , Director, Center for Medical Humanity and Ethics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Author of In My Own Country and The Tennis Player, said:

Rereading a few of the chapters, I found myself quite enthralled.