Paul Kalanithi

Paul Kalanithi, M.D. was a neurosurgeon and writer who grew up in Arizona and studied at Stanford, Cambridge, and Yale.

He excelled in both literature and medicine, winning awards for his research and writing.

Diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2013, Kalanithi wrote about his experiences as a doctor and patient in various publications.

He completed his neurosurgery residency in 2014 and worked on "When Breath Becomes Air" until his death in March 2015.

The book, published posthumously, reflects on mortality and the doctor-patient relationship.

Kalanithi is survived by his wife Lucy and daughter Cady.