Review of No Evidence of Disease (2015) by Rachel H — 11 Jan 2016

Video Librarian Review.

"The rock band No Evidence of Disease, also known as N.E.D., consists of six gynecological oncologists. Filmmaker Andrea Kalin's documentary profiles the N.E.D. doctors, who use Skype to rehearse, as they don't all live in the same city. With their mandolins and harmonies, the band leans towards the roots rock end of the spectrum, sounding as professional as any other group making music for a living, although it's only a small part of their lives. Spread across the U.S., Joanie Mayer Hope and Nimesh Magarsheth live in New York, John Soper and John Boggess reside in North Carolina, William "Rusty" Robinson is in New Orleans, and Will Winter lives in Portland, OR. According to Robinson, there are 750-800 gynecological surgeons in the United States. Since the job includes delivering bad news, Boggess sees music as a form of release. In a radio interview, Mayer Hope says that it "has been a healing medium for us." It also brings them into contact with colleagues with whom to commiserate and to compare notes. All six hope to raise awareness through their concerts about the cancers they are treating. Kalin also profiles patients who have received testing or treatment for cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer: some emerged from the operating room with an expectation of living full lives; for others, the doctors were able to buy them some extra time, but their cancers were too advanced to do more. Near the end of the film, one of the sextet relocates to Alaska in order to serve as the state's only gynecological surgeon, thus saving patients from having to travel to the Lower 48 to receive proper medical care. An engaging profile of a rocking band of activist medical professionals, this is recommended.".