"Moving and heartfelt. Dr. Birken expresses the physician's side of the patient relationship with grace and candor." Craig A. Miller, M.D., author, The Making of a Surgeon in the 21st Century "Dr. Birken is authentic, empathetic, and utterly human in his amalgam of 'tales' on those conditions that most impact women's lives. His 'creative non-fiction' will intrigue, and lighten, and inspire readers of both genders." James A. Schaller, M.D., author, Do Yourself a Favor: Love Your Wife "Dr. Birken does a superb job in bringing human warmth and humor to an otherwise, clinical profession. His unique approach to revealing the strength and composure of his patients in crisis allows the reader to enter the inner world of doctor and patient, a heretofore revered and confidential one, to become a part of the story. Dr. Birken is a renowned doctor in his own right, but had the courage to seek additional training in the art of creative writing, having obtained a Master of Liberal Arts Degree in Literature twenty years after his M.D. His patient-composite approach is refreshing and avoids many of the pitfalls that occur in other medical accounts of the doctor-patient relationship that usually come across as clinical and perfunctory. His chronological approach, using the woman's lifespan as a guidepost to the myriad of illnesses awaiting an otherwise healthy female medically and psychologically, is both intriguing and inspirational. Dr. Birken has a potential bestseller, and women and men will buy this book if they want an inside look at the ideal doctor-patient relationship at a time when patient trust in organized medicine is lacking. Those who enjoyed Oliver Sacks' The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, will find Dr. Birken's book an equally seminal one on doctoring with humility, humor, and humanness." A. Keith Barton, Ph.D., psychologist and published author "Dr. Randy Birken writes the stories of these women as if he has known them all his life - in reality he did. The relationship between a gynecologist and a patient transcends all what is not modern medicine. It is more than the framework of the business - it is sometimes more about the trust." Sharon Messimer, Marketing Director for Memorial Hermann Healthcare System "The title of this work, Women Only, may be a bit misleading and that would indeed be unfortunate. Though the subjects are women, the message is one that should be of relevance to fathers, husbands and especially daughters. Dr. Birken has done an excellent job of translating clinical and case study data into words that can be readily understood by the lay person. With care and sensitivity he explains and deals with both physical and emotional issues that most women, at some developmental stage, will no doubt confront. Dr. Birken is obviously not only an able clinician, but an excellent teller of important and helpful stories." David Gottlieb, Ph.D., former Dean of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Houston and published author "Randy Birken, M.D., writes with insight and compassion about the many health issues of concern to women and he gives those issues appealing human faces, inspiring readers to share in the sorrows and joys, seriousness and humor that are a part of every woman's life." Rosemary Poole-Carter, published novelist and playwright "Dr. Birken's clinical vignettes bring gynecologic medicine to life in a readable, entertaining, and medically accurate series of 'glimpses' into the lives of women. What an enjoyable way to learn!" Dorothy Roach, M.D., Director, North Houston Center for Reproductive Medicine.