Bernie Siegel, M.D.
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Dr. Siegel, who prefers to be called Bernie, not Dr. Siegel, was born in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Colgate University and Cornell University Medical College. He holds membership in two scholastic honor societies, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha and graduated with honors. His surgical training took place at Yale New Haven Hospital, West Haven Veteran's Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He retired from practice as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Yale of general and pediatric surgery in 1989 to speak to patients and their caregivers.

In 1978 he originated Exceptional Cancer Patients, 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 exceptional behavior is what we are all capable of.

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. Bernie's realization that we all need help dealing with the difficulties of life, not just the physical ones, led to Bernie writing his fourth book in 1998 Prescriptions for Living. It helps people to become aware of the eternal truths and wisdom of the sages through Bernie's stories and insights rather than wait a personal disaster. He wants to help people fix their lives before they are broken, and thus not have to become strong at the broken places.

Published in 2003 are Help Me To Heal to empower patients and their caregivers and 365 Prescriptions For The Soul, in 2004 a children's book about how difficulties can become blessings, Smudge Bunny, in 2005 101 Exercises For The Soul and out in the Fall of 2006 a prescriptions for parenting book Love, Magic & Mud Pies. Published in 2008 Buddy's Candle, for children of all ages, related to dealing with the loss of a loved one, be it a pet or parent, and published in 2009 Faith, Hope & Healing with inspiring survivor stories and my reflections about what they teach us.

Bernie was recently selecxted as in the top 20 of living spritual healers.

www.BernieSiegelMD.com.

Blog Entries by Bernie Siegel, M.D.

Why We Become Doctors

Posted November 5, 2010 | 12:48:00 (EST)

Many years ago I was asked to see a young woman everyone thought had appendicitis. I didn't agree and after observing her it was apparent her problem was a ruptured ovarian cyst which did not require surgery. A few years later her younger sister, a talented musician, tripped at home...

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Health Care Crisis in America: The Way to Avoid It

Posted October 27, 2010 | 09:22:02 (EST)

The present health care crisis is not just related to health care; it is a crisis related to what is happening in our society. We have become depersonalized as a society, invested in technology and not the experience people are having. Consider this: studies verify what happens to children who...

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The Power of Words: Revising the Doctor-Patient Relationship

Posted June 23, 2010 | 09:00:00 (EST)

As doctors, we are not trained to communicate and understand the power of our words as they relate to a patient's ability and desire to survive. It is also not only doctors but all the authority figures in our patient's lives that affect their ability to survive and the outcome...

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How Dreams Guide Our Lives

Posted January 17, 2010 | 10:11:55 (EST)

There have been many dreams which have been personal guides for me. If you think about evolution sleep, at some time, was a dangerous undertaking. You lie down in your cave or shelter and along comes a predator and has you for dinner. Many creatures do not sleep or sleep...

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Therapeutic Intention In The Doctor's Office

Posted December 22, 2009 | 12:26:33 (EST)

In my recent readings I have come across many interesting concepts which have always been a part of how I cared for people but are now finally becoming scientific and accepted. For example one revealed the benefits of playing music in the operating room, or reading stories to children that...

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The Inner Life: Why Do We Suffer?

Posted December 15, 2009 | 11:30:00 (EST)

Many years ago my great grandfather told me of the persecution he experienced in Russia which led him to come to this country. He said the Cossacks would pursue him at night, when he was out teaching, and slash him with their sabers. One night he was on the hill...

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