Friday, February 26, 2010

USA Physician Publishes Children's Book

Dr. Kathy B. Porter, professor and chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Alabama, has published a book titled Tales of Argos: The Adventures of a Greek Hunting Dog at Children’s and Women’s Hospital under the pen name “K.P. Catamount.”

The children’s book is a fictional story of a miniature schnauzer who accompanies his owner, who is a physician, to the hospital as she makes patient rounds and walks with her in the hospital’s sculpture park.

The story is told from Argos’ canine perspective. He observes injured and sick children and their mothers who are brought to the hospital. He visits moms-to-be and new born babies. It is a sweet and cheerful book illustrated by Julie Toifel-Rhames, a former USA art student.

Tales of Argos: The Adventures of a Greek Hunting Dog at Children’s and Women’s Hospital is a story about the healing effect of love and concern. The story is helpful in communicating with children about unfamiliar medical environments, and in doing so, reducing anxiety through understanding.

Half of the book’s proceeds benefit the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital. The remainder of the proceeds is divided between Ermel Cross Burchett and Willie Mae Porter Research Endowment and the Reese and Taylor Whitehead Research and Education Endowment. Both funds support research in women’s health, preterm labor, multiple gestations and birth defects.

The book is available at the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital gift shop or by contacting Rynn Toifel at (251) 415-1566 or toifel@usouthal.edu. The price is $16.50 plus tax.