‘Doc’ Author Prescribes Exercise, Humor

Tue., July 25, 1995

Graham Vink Staff Writer

As a writer, Dr. Neil Shulman was not quite an overnight success. His first book, the fictional story of a newly graduated doctor making a cross-country trip to his future job as a plastic surgeon, was issued in 1976 by an obscure publisher in Louisiana who went out of business three months later.

And it took 14 more years before the story became a movie, “Doc Hollywood,” starring Michael J. Fox.

Shulman was an associate producer for the movie, and the novel subsequently was reissued by Random House and sold in several different countries (“though they took my face off the book and put on Michael Fox’s - he probably has a prettier face than I do”).

Today, Shulman is an accomplished author (11 books, fiction and non-fiction), newsletter editor, fund-raiser and stand-up comic, as well as an associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Georgia. He is visiting Spokane this week to appear in a video for caregivers; to speak to teenagers, seniors, patients and health-care employees about health issues; and to raise money for a variety of local programs.

“I’ve tried to take some of the energy and publicity that came out of ‘Doc Hollywood’ and redirect it at some things that might be given back to the community,” says Shulman, who lives in Decatur, Ga. “As a result, I go out to a lot of communities and do stand-up comedy and other types of speaking and entertainment for charity.”

The video he is taping with Wilson is aimed specifically at people who provide care to others.

“Caregivers themselves are frequently older folks,” says Shulman. “They’re frequently under a lot of stress because of the psychological pressures of taking care of somebody who has a disability, especially if it’s a family member. Exercise and humor is good therapy for them.”

He describes many of his public appearances as “a little traveling comedy show. I think life is just a dash between two numbers on a tombstone, and everybody takes it a bit too seriously.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Many of Shulman’s appearances this week are open to the public, including a fund-raising dinner for St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute on Wednesday, an autograph session and children’s program at Walk in the Wild Zoo at noon Thursday, and a zoo fund-raising dinner Thursday night at Silverwood amusement park, north of Coeur d’Alene. For more information, call Sit and Be Fit at 448-9348.

Many of Shulman’s appearances this week are open to the public, including a fund-raising dinner for St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute on Wednesday, an autograph session and children’s program at Walk in the Wild Zoo at noon Thursday, and a zoo fund-raising dinner Thursday night at Silverwood amusement park, north of Coeur d’Alene. For more information, call Sit and Be Fit at 448-9348.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.