Dr. Bernie 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 Veterans Hospital and the
Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh. He retired from the practice of general and
pediatric surgery in 1989 to speak to patients and their caregivers.
In 1978 Bernie Siegel 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 individuals 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.
Bernie and his wife and coworker, Bobbie, live in a suburb of New Haven,
Connecticut. They have five children and eight grandchildren. Bernie and
Bobbie have co-authored their children, books and articles. Their home with
its many children, pets and interests resembled a cross between a family art
gallery, museum, zoo and automobile repair shop. It still resembles these
things, although the children are trying to improve its appearance in order to
avoid embarrassment.
In 19 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. Bernies 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 Bernies 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 childrens 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 Buddys Candle, for
children of all ages, related to dealing with the loss of a loved one, be it a
pet or parent, and to be published in 2009 Faith, Hope & Healing with survivor
stories and my reflections about what they teach us. His web site is
www.BernieSiegelMD.com
Woody Allen once said, If I had one wish it would be to be somebody else.
Bernies 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.
For many, Bernie Siegel needs no introduction. He 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 whos mortality has been threatened by an illness,
Bernie 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
personally struggling to live the message of kindness and love. Bernie and
Bobbie travel extensively to share his experience and techniques.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bernie Siegel MD and other top speakers and celebrities.