Soldiers of Science Podcast with Alan Alda cover art

Soldiers of Science

The Vietnam War, Anthony Fauci & the Doctors who Revolutionized American Medicine

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Soldiers of Science

By: Alan Alda, Kate Rope
Narrated by: Alan Alda
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It’s the height of the Vietnam War when a new generation of doctors, including a young Dr. Anthony Fauci, arrive at the National Institutes of Health as part of the doctor’s draft.

What happens next is a hidden history of American medicine that could not be more revelatory or prescient.

Alan Alda reveals how one of the darkest and divisive moments in the nation’s history also paved the way the for some of the greatest medical breakthroughs our country has ever seen. This one public health program would not only launch the careers of our top physician scientists, but build the country’s medical research system and also lead to nine Nobel-prize winning discoveries. So far.

This is a story of faith in government and a belief in science. We meet patients who sacrifice everything, and doctors who still can’t believe their luck at being allowed to serve the country in this unique way. It reminds us of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s mission for the NIH in 1940 when he declared “to be a strong nation we must be a healthy nation.” As well as President John F. Kennedy’s hope-filled call to service.

One can’t help but wonder how the story of the Soldiers of Science might help us shape a better and healthier future.

©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC Americas
Episodes
  • You’re In the NIH Now

    You’re In the NIH Now
    Dec 17 2020

    A young mother with two desperately sick children arrives at the NIH in the winter of 1969, where she meets doctors doing a tour of duty at the public health service.
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    30 mins
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  • The Beginning of the End of Heart Disease

    The Beginning of the End of Heart Disease
    Dec 17 2020

    Dr. Joe Goldstein arrives at the bedside of young Valerie and Clark. He soon enlists his colleague, Dr. Michael Brown, to try to figure out why these kids have cholesterol levels likely to kill them before they reach adulthood.
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    32 mins
    Try Standard free
  • In Search Of…

    In Search Of…
    Dec 17 2020

    The story of the so-called “yellow berets” is largely forgotten until the NIH’s first historian and her young intern unearth some 3x5 index cards and make a major discovery of their own.
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    45 mins
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This is a fascinating untold story of the huge medical advances made by a group of doctors who volunteered to do medical research instead of being drafted to Vietnam, including Dr Anthony Fauci. Millions of lives were altered for the better by their work, including my own, since one of the treatments they pioneered was the treatment for high cholesterol. Alan Alda hosts the piece very enthusiastically and respectfully.

Brilliant untold story of medical pioneers

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This is a look back in time. But it means so much to now.
We would not be here if it was not for some of these Doctors.

Step back in time but working for now.

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This is a most remarkable story. One which impacts us all.
Today the NIH is impacting directly on my family by funding research into RASopathies, my daughter has a very rare condition called Costello syndrome. it was nice to have some context to the organization and scientists involved

a fascinating story.

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It pays tribute to both Doctor/ researcher/ scientist and patients alike.
The human gave behind the yellow berets!

wonderfully insightful human story .

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Everyone if the scientists are SO humble - true greatness. The people who trusted you to help them - THANK YOU!!!

Fantastic! I had quite a few teary moments!

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