Donald Wiss, MD, FIOTA, a founding member and the 17th President of OTA, has recently completed and published his memoir: One Life, No Rehearsal: A Surgeon’s Memoir of Healing, Heartbreak, and Legacy. The book traces his journey from his early life in Detroit to surgical training and leadership, and ultimately through the deeply personal chapter of caring for his late wife following her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.
While not a clinical textbook, One Life, No Rehearsal offers a view into the realities of a surgical career—the moments of triumph, loss, resilience, and the ever-evolving role of the physician as both healer and human. There is even a chapter recounting the 1994 OTA Annual Meeting—held just after the Northridge earthquake—that captures the spirit of our organization: adaptable, community-driven, and committed to shared purpose.
True to that spirit, Dr. Wiss has chosen to donate 100% of the proceeds from the book to OPICA, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles dedicated to Alzheimer’s care and support.
Though the subject matter extends beyond orthopaedic trauma, this book aligns closely with OTA’s values—particularly our efforts to support physician wellness. I believe many in our membership may find the memoir both moving and meaningful.
The book is available on Amazon in both paperback and digital formats.
Douglas Lundy, MD, FIOTA
OTA President