La Doctora, by Dr. Linnea J. Smith

In 1990, Dr. Linnea Smith went to Peru on an ecotourism vacation — and never quite went home. So moved by what she found in the Amazon rainforest, she left behind a thriving medical practice in Wisconsin to serve the Yagua Indians in one of the most remote corners of Peru, alone.

Taken straight from the pages of her journal, La Doctora: An American Doctor in the Amazon offers a rare glimpse into the suspense and drama of practicing medicine in a culture far removed from the supplies and supports most physicians take for granted. It is the story of how Dr. Smith evolved from a “strange white woman” into an adopted member of the indigenous community — and an inspiring testament to one person’s power to make a lasting difference.

Published in 1998, La Doctora is available in Paperback or Kindle format on Amazon. Click here to purchase a copy.