DR. BERNIE SIEGEL

Considered a medical pioneer for his work with the mind/body connection, Dr. Bernie Siegel is one of the world's most recognized experts in the field of physical and mental well-being. He is the author of several books, including the international best-seller Love, Medicine and Miracles: Lessons Learned About Self-Healing from a Surgeon's Experience With Exceptional Patients. Siegel attended Colgate University and Cornell University Medical College, where he graduated with honors. His surgical training took place at Yale New Haven Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He practiced general and pediatric surgery until retiring in 1989 to speak to patients and their caregivers.

In 1978 he originated Exceptional Cancer Patients (ECaP), a specific form of individual and group therapy utilizing patients’ drawings, dreams, images, and feelings. ECaP is based on “carefrontation,” a safe, loving therapeutic confrontation, which facilitates personal lifestyle changes, personal empowerment, and healing of the individual’s life. The physical, spiritual, and psychological benefits which followed led to his desire to make everyone aware of his or her healing potential. He realized that we are capable of exceptional behavior.

In 1986 his first book, Love, Medicine & Miracles was published. This event redirected his life. In 1989 Peace, Love & Healing and in 1993 How To Live Between Office Visits followed. He is currently working on other books with the goal of humanizing medical education and medical care, as well as empowering patients and teaching survival behavior to enhance immune system competency. Dr. Siegel’s realization that we all need help dealing with the difficulties of life, not just the physical ones, led to him writing his fourth book, Prescriptions for Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life. It helps people to become aware of the eternal truths and wisdom of the sages through his stories and insights rather than await a personal disaster. He wants to help people fix their lives before they are broken. His other books include Help Me To Heal and 365 Prescriptions For The Soul, 101 Exercises for the Soul, and a children’s book, Smudge Bunny.

Woody Allen once said, “If I had one wish it would be to be somebody else.” Siegel's wish was to be a few inches taller. His work has been such a growth experience that he is now a few inches taller. His prediction is that in the next decade the role of consciousness, spirituality, non-local healing, body memory and heart energy will all be explored as scientific subjects.

Siegel has touched many lives all over our planet. In 1978 he began talking about patient empowerment and the choice to live fully and die in peace. As a physician, who has cared for and counseled innumerable people whose mortality has been threatened by an illness. He embraces a philosophy of living and dying that stands at the forefront of the medical ethics and spiritual issues our society grapples with today. He continues to assist in the breaking of new ground in the field of healing, and he works to spread the message of kindness and love.