Am I Dead Yet?: Memoirs of a Medic (Willie Morris Books in Memoir and Biography)

Am I Dead Yet? Memoirs of a Medic follows the remarkable journey of a young Mississippi paramedic who grows into an emergency medicine physician through years of intense, unpredictable, and often life-changing experiences in rural Mississippi towns, on the streets of small cities, and in the trauma bay. Beginning with Andy Anderson’s earliest days in EMS, the book traces how naïve confidence gives way to competence as he responds to chaotic scenes, catastrophic injuries, and unforgettable patients who shape his understanding of life, death, and the fragile space in between. Organized into eight parts, the memoir weaves together stories of first calls, baptism-by-fire emergencies, cardiac arrests, mistakes and lessons learned, bizarre 911 responses, dangerous scenes, EMS humor, and the critical moments that ultimately guided Anderson toward medical school. Along the way, he learns to trust instinct over textbooks, remain calm in the face of overwhelming pressure, and rely on partners who become a second family. The calls range from heartbreaking to hilarious, from violent to absurd, and from lifesaving victories to scenes where even the best efforts cannot change the outcome. More than a collection of EMS stories, Am I Dead Yet? is a coming-of-age story shaped by sirens, trauma, resilience, and humanity. Through honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, the memoir captures what it truly means to serve others on their worst days and how those moments forge the heart of a healer.