John Wrable

Juvenile Delinquent to Surgeon: a Surgeon's Memoir John Wrable

After watching his mother die of tuberculosis at age thirteen, for two years, John lived with his abusive alcoholic father. During those two years, he was arrested three times for minor crimes. At fifteen, he changed the date on his birth certificate, and joined the army. As an orderly at Walter Reed Army Hospital, he witnessed an appendectomy and at that moment he decided to be a surgeon. Unable to get suitable work after his army discharge, he joined the navy. After three years in the Navy, he applied to two colleges, and both rejected his applications because he didn't have a valid high school diploma. After attending night school, he received a valid high school diploma and St. Peter's College accepted him. In the face of adversity, he finished college, medical school, a rotating internship, a surgical residency and successfully passed the general surgical boards. He went on to enjoy a prosperous career as a general, chest and vascular surgeon. Juvenile Delinquent to Surgeon tells Dr. Wrable's story of hard work, persistence, and determination that are the essential ingredients to achieve a dream.