Dr. Ken Murray is the author of “How Doctors Die” and a retired family medicine physician and professor at the University of Southern California. Before participating in a panel on end-of-life care, he revealed a preference for Corona, the fall, and the call of the wild in the Zócalo green room.
What is your favorite cocktail?
An occasional Corona. With lime.
If you could be anyone in history, who would you be?
Mozart. The creativity—I admire creativity.
What’s the last thing that inspired you?
A wilderness ranger I worked with who demonstrated incredible passion for his work.
What’s your favorite wilderness within striking distance of L.A.?
The Golden Trout Wilderness. It’s located North and East of Bakersfield.
What is your biggest weakness?
Not completing projects completely before starting the next.
How did you get into trouble as a child?
Boredom. Boredom led me into trouble.
What profession would you like to practice in your next life?
Law. If I weren’t practicing medicine—and I would practice medicine again—law is another occupation that can change people’s lives for the better.
What’s your favorite season?
Fall because of the changing of seasons, the changing of leaves in the trees.
What comforts you?
Fishing.
Whom do you go to for advice?
My friends. I have several friends I go to, and depending upon what the issue is, I will ask one or more of them.