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Published creative work

Links to several of published creative pieces which appeared in medical journals, in literary magazines, and on creative websites. 

Creative Nonfiction

The Book - JAMA - Campbell

JAMA October 10, 2007 - Vol 298, No. 14 1613-14

A story about a patient who taught Dr. Campbell a lesson about gratitude. 

Listening to Leviticus - Campbell - JAMA

JAMA, February 27, 2008 - Vol 299, No. 8 879-80

A story about a patient who taught Dr. Campbell about faith, ambiguity, and equanimity.​

The Sentinel - JCO - Campbell

Journal of Clinical Oncology, April 1, 2008 - Vol 26, No. 10 1760-61

A story about a moment when a rapidly growing cancer left Dr. Campbell speechless. â€‹

The Code - JAMA - Campbell

JAMA, April 9, 2009 - Vol 301, No. 14 1415-16

A story about a night when death, memory, and gratitude converged in one place.​

Determination - JAMA - Campbell

JAMA May 16, 2017 - Vol 317, Number 19 1953-54

A story about a patient who struggles against an injustice and prevails.​

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JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery February 2019 - Vol 145, Number 2 107-08

Dr. Campbell mourns the loss of an institution that fostered collegiality and confidence in his early career. 

Letting go of the knife - Doximity - Campell

Doximity September 30, 2021 - Online content

Dr. Campbell contemplates the end of his surgical career.​

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Doximity December 21, 2021 - Online content

Dr. Campbell recalls how he almost failed to discern his dream specialty and how he now helps students find theirs. â€‹

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Doximity March 8, 2022 - Online content

Dr. Campbell remembers two long-term patients whose deaths left him hollow because he knew so little about their lives.​

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Doximity July 14, 2022 - Online content

Dr, Campbell has seen many colleagues retire. Sometimes it goes better than others. Why is that?​

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Doximity August 8, 2022 - Online content

Dr. Campbell reviews some of the data and some opinions on whether to choose a rookie or a seasoned surgeon. â€‹

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Doximity September 19, 2022 - Online content

Dr, Campbell recalls a cancer patient who showed up for an appointment wearing a shirt she earned by smoking cigarettes.​

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Pulse: Voices From the Heart of Medicine June 2, 2017 - Online content

A story about a mysterious encounter that brought comfort to a grieving sister. The story also appears in the book. 

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Creative Wisconsin 2014

This essay about the the process of becoming a physician won the 2014 Jade Ring Contest for Nonfiction for the Wisconsin Writers Association.

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JAMA December, 2024 - Publication pending

A reflection on aging, insight, and honesty, experienced both as a caregiver and as a patient. 

Fiction

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Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine Spring 2024 - Online Only

An older surgeon thinks about his career as it is drawing to a close. View it on the Intima website here. â€‹

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The Examined Life Journal Volume 11 - 2024

A surgeon makes his way uneasily into retirement. â€‹

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The Examined Life Journal Vol 1 No 3 Spring 2012

Two sports announcers provide play-by-play and color commentary in the operating room. Green Bay Packers fans might recognize a nod to the radio team of Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren. This story appears in the book.​

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Creative Wisconsin Anthology 2018 

This short story was written to be part of a novel someday. It was awarded an Honorable Mention for fiction in the 2018 Jade Ring Contest of the Wisconsin Writers Association.

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The Examined Life Journal Vol 3 No 1 Fall 2013

A mother hears terrible news. This short story was also written to be part of a novel.

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Creative Wisconsin Anthology: 2021 Jade Ring and Student Writing Contest Winners (Wisconsin Writers Association)

This short story was awarded an Honorable Mention for fiction in the 2021 Jade Ring Contest of the Wisconsin Writers Association 

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Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics 2013 3(2):E5-E6 Published online. 

This short story contains elelments of Dr. Campbell's mentor's voices that he heard throughout his career. To view the original, visit here. 

Poetry

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Creative Wisconsin October 2016

This was written as Dr. Campbell's family was contemplating an extensive remodel of the family cabin in Conover, WI.​

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Auscult: The Literary and Arts Journal of the Medical College of Wisconsin 2021.

Dr. Campbell finds similarities between two different professions. â€‹

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Academic Psychiatry Sept Oct 2009

The journal editor put out a call for 55-word essays. This story arose from a hallway conversation. 

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