Rick Novak’s second novel Doctor Vita is a tale of technology overtaking the human elements in medicine.
Published in 2019, Doctor Vita is a prescient novel which anticipated the rise of Artificial Intelligence advances akin to ChatGPT. and the intervention of AI into medical care. Doctor Vita, the world’s first artificial intelligence physician module, changes medicine forever. Patient care is streamlined, automated, consistent, and costs are controlled. Enter Dr. Alec Lucas, a young computer scientist and physician who perceives serious flaws in the Doctor Vita system. When Lucas makes his concerns public, he’s persecuted as an outlier from an era of antiquated and flawed human medical care. The Doctor Vita system moves against Lucas’s quixotic bid to halt the revolution in medical technology, while Lucas strives to solve the dystopian horrors behind Doctor Vita.
Why is artificial intelligence in medicine (AIM) gone awry relevant? Because it can happen to you, dear reader, in the near future.
Rick Novak MD is board-certified in internal medicine and anesthesiology, and is an Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Stanford University Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. His experience in operating rooms, clinic settings, ICUs and emergency rooms give him unique and broad insight into what the near future of artificial intelligence in clinical medicine can and must look like.
The future of medicine begins with Doctor Vita . . .
Rick Novak 
Hey Dr. Novak, I’m hoping you didn’t use inappropriate punctuation (apostrophe) in your novel like you did in your preface/description of your superb medical thriller.
Sincerely,
Dino Kattato, one of many CRNAs (not CRNA’s).
Thanks!
All CRNA’s have been eliminated, and converted to CRNAs.
Rick
CONGRATULATIONS SIR
Rick – Congratulations on the book! I’d love to get a signed copy of your book to give to my Mom, Margaret Hope. Let me know how I can buy one and arrange for that. She’s in an assisted living home now. Our parents were good friends growing up in Hibbing. I actually spent a lot of quality time on your living room floor as our Moms talked away the afternoon – when they weren’t reading books. My parents instilled the book bug in all of their children.
Dear Dr. Novak,
I read your book yesterday. What a fun read! I also grew up in Hibbing. I loved that you included familiar last names! (Barratto, Perpich, ) Looking forward to your next book!
Kathy,
Thanks for the kind words. Tell your friends! Northern Minnesota is a unique place with comical characters. Dozens of stories left to be told.
Rick
Enjoyed your book! I remember you from high school (you were a couple years younger). I have been “Edward Martinovich’s” law partner for the past 40 years here in Hibbing. Good job!
Darrold,
Thanks for the shout out. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I enjoyed composing it. Tell your friends about it, and keep in touch!
Rick
Dear Dr. Novak, I liked your book very much. Did you know on Dec. 10 there will be an official celebration and fund-raiser at the Androy Hotel to honor Bob Dylan. The funds will be raised for a bronze statue of Hibbing’s Nobel Prize winner and poet. The statue will be sited at Hibbing High School.
Thanks again for the great read of “The Doctor and Mr. Dylan.”
This is great news1 A statue is long overdue. Keep my informed, and let me know if I can help publicize. My email is rjnov@yahoo.com.
I stumbled on to your book while searching for the ASA’s policy, if any, on the maximum number of CRNAs that a physician may work with concurrently. I did not find a clear answer. It depends upon whether the physician is “supervising” or “medically directing” by CMS rules. But your book is amazing. I am also an anesthesiologist who was born in 1954, and grew up in a town much smaller than Hibbing (Bellevue, Iowa, population around 2000) and I had lots of Norwegian ancestors in Minnesota and Iowa. I could not put your book down. You have an incredible talent and I am waiting for another book from you. However, I cannot imagine that the CRNA community would be at all pleased with your book and I am not going to give it to any of them to read. The CRNAs with whom I work are all outstanding and I have received anesthesia from a number of CRNAs and have been extremely pleased. Anyway, your book vastly exceeded my expectations, and was much more interesting and realistic than other books I have read that were written by physicians. Again, I hope to read more from you.
Robert,
Thank you for the inspiring compliments!
As for the CRNA community, I believe the future will always contain CRNAs and I have no problem with that.
I think if a CRNA actually read The Doctor and Mr. Dylan to its final pages, they’d see Mr. Dylan as a memorable and admirable character.
Yes I am writing a second novel. I love the process, and I make time between my clinical workload and my parenting.
It’s so encouraging to hear that a colleague like yourself had a positive experience reading my work.
Tell your friends, and keep in touch!
Rick
Dear Rick, my husband had spinal surgery. When the operation was over , he was rushed to a trauma hospital, because of the anesthesia, he has other surgery’s and never had any problems
What can be done legally he was hospitalized nearly a month from the anesthesia.
Annette,
Perhaps if you summarize what the complications were, i.e. what the doctors told you, I can help explain things to you. The medical records hold all the information.
Rick I was looking into the clarification of ASA classifications and I ran into The Doctor and MrDylan which received my interest immediately. I’m certainly looking forward to reading your book. I will get back with you upon my completion or if I can’t wait due to running into a scene that’s over the top and requires comment.
Rick,if your time permits, I would like to ask you a personal question and your professional opinion regarding ASA anesthesia and a 91 YO undergoing a hysterectomy.. Thank you.
Regards,
Rebecca Shaw RN
Rebecca,
You can email me directly at rjnov@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Rick
Rick:
I loved the “Doctor and Mr. Dylan” and look forward to more entertaining reading from you.
I caught a virus in my heart last winter but need multiple surgeries broken fingers, 35vhand surgeries, knee is all torn up can’t walk close to replacement, need two back surgery . What do I now I believe in quality to live. So how can some one work on me to give me a life again.
I just had 2.5 hour surgery for right hand with femoral shot in my neck. Doesn’t feel right. Pins were removed broken fingers fixed and plastic joints removed 5 times each broken. Pain meds did not stop the pain 10 days still . Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated this is all new to me. I never had to worry before now I just want to get put back together so I can finish my life with a life. Thankyou
Sue
What specific question(s) can I answer for you?
I am overwhelmed by your dedication and commitment to the profession
Expecting many more marvelous writings from your pen
Thankyou
Thank you, sir. You are very welcome.
RJN