MEDICINE, TECHNOLOGY COMBINE IN PHYSICIAN'S FIRST NOVEL.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Former Antelope Valley Hospital emergency room physician Dr. Vladimir Lange is now a novelist with the publication of a techno-thriller that combines his love and knowledge of medicine with his Russian heritage.

Set in newly democratic Russia, the book depicts a brain scanner - so far still fictional - that uses magnetic waves to treat depression and schizophrenia and which in an accident causes his researcher heroine to relive a past life from 600 years ago.

``The proof that this is so doable came in the form of a Time magazine two weeks ago,'' said Lange. ``Scientists are now using pulsating magnetic waves to treat depression and schizophrenia. It was extremely rewarding to see science fiction becoming more science and less fiction.''

Lange will discuss ``Fatal Memories'' at 1 p.m. Sunday at Barnes & Noble, 39228 10th St. W.

Lange's first book, a patient's guide to breast cancer treatment, is now in its third edition. He has written other health care books and has his own video-production company.

Born in Germany to Russian parents who had fled communism, he was raised in Brazil, then in a remote desert in Iraq. Lange completed his senior year of high school at a Jesuit school in France.

To pursue his dream of becoming a surgeon, Lange moved to New York to attend New York University, followed by Harvard Medical School.

In 1977, he moved to California and began working in the emergency room at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center, now Antelope Valley Hospital.

Working in 24-hour shifts, Lange had a lot of days off. He climbed mountains in the Andes and the Himalayas, and took up flying as a way to reach remote climbing spots.

On a climb in Russia, a climber with another group fell into a crevasse and broke some ribs, which punctured his lung. Lange and another doctor performed an emergency thoracostomy and saved the man's life.

Lange's path to writing began after showing Antelope Valley Hospital co-workers photo slide shows of his trips. A nursing administrator suggested he put together a presentation on the hospital. Officials at other hospitals saw his work and began commissioning their own presentations. Eventually this work transpired into health care videos.

In 1986, Lange founded his own production company, Lange Productions, and began producing health care videos. He left the hospital in 1987.

``During medical school they beat creativity out of you,'' said Lange. ``After 10 years of doing this, it becomes a little constraining and video offered wonderful opportunities.''

Around this time, his physician wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. The couple was overwhelmed by the amount of information they received and wondered how lay people could understand it all.

So he created a video on breast cancer and wrote the book: ``Be A Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment.''

Five years ago, Lange began writing a screenplay, thinking it would open the door to directing. After laboring for two years, he switched the story into a novel.

``By the time I was done with the screenplay, I was totally in love with the story,'' said Lange. It took another three years before the book would be finished.

``I like writing about the people. You can invent technology all day long, but people like to hear about the people. During the day you might be a scientist but at night you have to come home to the wife,'' he said with a laugh.

Peggy Hager, [phone]

peggy.grimm-hager(at)dailynews.com

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Dr. Vladimir Lange

Newly published author