New Book Puts the Humor in Heart Medicine — and Doesn’t Miss a Beat
Long Beach cardiologist and Grammy Award–winner Dr. Mike Vasilomanolakis brings laughter, humanity, and heart to medicine in his new memoir.Long Beach, CA — November 2, 2025 — After decades of saving lives, Dr. Mike Vasilomanolakis has decided to tickle a few funny bones. The respected cardiologist, educator, and Grammy Award–winning executive producer and songwriter shares his laugh-out-loud stories in Flatlines and Laugh Lines: Funny Confessions of a Heart Doctor, available November 2 on Amazon.
From medical school mayhem to celebrity encounters, Dr. Mike takes readers on a witty, heartwarming journey through the lighter side of medicine. With an eye for the absurd and a heart for healing, he reveals that humor can oftentimes be just as therapeutic as medicine itself.
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that laughter is a powerful form of therapy,” says Dr. Mike. “It helps both doctors and patients navigate the emotional and physical challenges of health care — and of life itself.”
A beloved figure in the Long Beach medical community, Dr. Mike has served as Chief of Cardiology, Chief of Medicine, and Chief of Staff. He is currently affiliated with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and UCI Health–Los Alamitos Medical Center, and continues to mentor fellows, residents, and medical students as an Assistant Clinical Professor at UC Irvine.
In Flatlines and Laugh Lines, Dr. Mike recalls unforgettable moments from his forty-four-year career — the mischief of doctors-in-training, unpredictable patient encounters, brushes with fame, and mishaps that remind readers that even experts have imperfect days. Each story delivers a dose of humanity, humor, and heart.
Dr. Mike has authored over twenty scientific papers. His first book, Lists for a Great Life, features 108 practical lists designed to help readers deal with various important issues in life.
Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Mike earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Illinois, completed his residency at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital, and trained in cardiology at the University of California, Irvine. He has been repeatedly named a legacy “Superdoc” by his peers in the Los Angeles Times. When Health Grades first debuted, his patients gave him the highest rating among 1,400 cardiologistsin Southern California.
Lists For A Great Life: The Fifth Most Important Book You'll Ever Own
This book is a compilation of 108 comprehensive lists dealing with important and practical aspects of life. For instance: Detailed list of what to consider packing for a trip, getting organized, overcoming procrastination, simplifying your life, improving relationships, dating, being romantic without money, what to do in an emergency and how to plan for it, how to give a speech, write a complaint letter, discipline children, plan for a wedding, picnic, or hike. Ways to lose weight, stop smoking, lower cholesterol, reduce stress, remove different types of stains, save money, prevent pickpocketing, what to include in a will, how to say "NO", how to get out of awkward situations, and another 80 lists. It is a practical guide for all.
Please visit the video in the next section below.
Thank You!
Mike Vasilomanolakis, M.D.
