Ken Strauss

Ken Strauss (born 1953) is a physician/author who is known both for his writings as well as for his work promoting the careers and works of other artistically-inclined professionals. He is the owner of a manor on the French-Belgian border, le Château du Jardin. Health-care professionals (HCP) from various places in the world come to le Château du Jardin as artists-in-residence. During their residency the HCP work individually in their chosen field as well as interact with fellow artists. Named Le Jardin des Arts, this not-for-profit project is endorsed by the European Medical Association[1] and the European Union (EU). Attendance is open to nurses as well as doctors, non-Europeans as well as EU citizens. Conditions for entry include recognized artistic achievement in writing, music, painting, sculpture or cinema as evidenced by publication, exposition or public performances, etc.; a willingness to participate in peer-review of others’ work; and a commitment of two hours a day working on practical tasks in or around the Château.

Ken Strauss and daughter Natalia

Early life, education and professional career

Born in New Orleans, Strauss was raised by missionary parents on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. He studied at Columbia Bible College (1971–75) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1975–78) with a focus on the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. After this he embarked on medical studies. Strauss received his degree as a doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, USA (1982–86). He did an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at the Wake Forest University, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA (1986–89). His Endocrinology Fellowship was at the Harvard Medical School, Boston in the Beth Israel Hospital, Brigham & Women's Hospitals and Joslin Diabetes Center (1989–91).

He has lived most of his life in Latin America and Europe and speaks Spanish and French in addition to his native English.[2] He is currently an internist and endocrinologist who holds two director-level posts in Europe: European Medical Director for BD,[3] a global medical company; and Director of Safety in Medicine for the European Medical Association, based in Brussels.

Strauss speaks frequently to HCW audiences throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East on topics related to diabetes, HIV disease and patient safety. As Medical Director he performs research trials at university hospitals throughout Europe. In addition he develops disease management and educational tools for use in the clinical setting by doctors, nurses and patients. He publishes in peer-reviewed medical journals and does volunteer work in clinics in Africa and South America.

Literary publications

La Tendresse cover page

Strauss's first novel, entitled La Tendresse, was published in 2002 by Black Ace Books of Forfar, Scotland.[4] Despite its French title the book is written in English.[5] It is an epistolary novel set in the First World War which juxtaposes the friendships and love affairs of its protagonist, Dr. Alain Hamilton, with the brutality of trench warfare.

Strauss's second novel is entitled María Lindisima, and is published on his web site.[6] It is a thriller about a virulent flu strain and a pending pandemic.

Strauss's third novel is entitled Madness and is published serially on his blog.[7] It is about an orphaned Jewish girl and her struggles during the rise of National Socialism.

Besides these novels, Strauss has published a series of children's tales, poems and short stories which are available on his web site[8] as well as a series of essays and two plays (Ship of Folly, Anne and Rachid Rachid), posted on his blog.[9]

Scientific publications

Strauss's scientific interests are widespread.

His interest in immunology has led to publications in HIV disease, cellular activation and natural killer cell function, tumor immunology, HLA-B27-related rheumatologic conditions and screening, transplant cross-matching and graph rejection, pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis, leukemia diagnosis and minimal residual disease, platelet activation in vascular disease and stem cell transplantation in cancer patients.

As an endocrinologist he has an obvious interest in diabetes. Publications cover the subjects of diabetes management and education, efficacy of insulin injecting devices, safe injection technique, intensive glucose management, GP office management of diabetes and the epidemiology of diabetes in developing regions of Africa and Eastern Europe.

Additionally, Strauss has published on peripheral and central line catheters, anesthesia and surgical devices, safety injection devices, sharps disposal units, spinal and epidural catheters and vaccination devices.

Le Château du Jardin

The retreat for HCW artists, Le Jardin des Arts, is located in le Château du Jardin, a property listed as an architectural heritage site in Belgium. The official site for Patrimoine Architectural Belge [10] describes it as follows:.

Château du Jardin
"Tongre-Notre-Dame is best known for its basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, but it also has some unexpected treasures, such as the Château du Jardin. Built in the mid-19th century, this mansion stands in the middle of extensive formally laid out grounds. Today, the Château du Jardin is the property of an endocrinologist, Ken Strauss. He undertook the restoration of the residence with a view to holding medical seminars there. The Château du Jardin is a neo-classical, rectangular building. The frontage and rear external wall are two stories high, faced with finishing plaster and surmounted by a Mansard roof bordered with a wooden cornice. The façades have large rectangular window openings."

Notes and references

  1. ↑ About us - European Medical Association
  2. ↑ See author's comments on his web site: http://www.kenswritings.com/
  3. ↑ BD: Medical Supplies, Devices and Technology; Laboratory Products; Antibodies
  4. ↑ Black Ace Books
  5. ↑ La_Tendresse
  6. ↑ Ken Strauss's website
  7. ↑ kenstraussposts
  8. ↑ http://www.kenswritings.com/
  9. ↑ http://kenstraussposts.blogspot.com/
  10. ↑ Tourism Wallonia - Ardennes (Belgium) : GARDENCASTLE AT TONGRE-NOTRE-DAME

Publications

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