For many of you, Bernie Siegel needs no introduction. He's the man who, more than 17 years ago, began talking about patient empowerment and the choice to live fully and die in peace.

As a physician who has cared for and counseled thousands with life-threatening illnesses, Dr. Siegel, who prefers to be called Bernie, embraces a philosophy of living - and dying - that stands at the forefront of the medical ethics issues our society grapples with today.

Some of his bestsellers are Love, Medicine & Miracles, Peace, Love & Healing and How to Live Between Office Visits: A Guide To Life, Love and Health.

Biography of Bernie Siegel:
Dr. Bernard S. Siegel, who prefers to be called Bernie, not Doctor Siegel, 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 and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is a pediatric and general surgeon in New Haven.

In 1978 Bernie started Exceptional Cancer Patients, a specific form of individual and group therapy utilizing patients' dreams, drawings and images. ECaP is based on "carefrontation," a loving, safe, therapeutic confrontation, which facilitates personal change and healing. This experience led to his desire to make everyone aware of his or her own healing potential.

The Siegel family lives in the New Haven, Connecticut area. Bernie and his wife, Bobbie Siegel, have co-authored many articles, and have five children. The family has innumerable interests and pets. Their home resembles a cross between a family art gallery, a zoo, a museum and an automobile repair shop.

In 1986 his first book, "Love, Medicine and Miracles," was published. This event redirected his life. He is now very involved in humanizing medical education and making the medical profession aware of the mind/body connection. Bernie travels extensively with Bobbie to speak and run workshops sharing his techniques and experience.

Woody Allen said if he had one wish it would be to be someone else. Bernie's wish, made several years ago, was to be a few inches taller. His work has been such a growth experience that he is now taller.

His prediction is that in a decade the effects of consciousness on man and matter will be an accepted scientific fact.