"There's a light in this world; a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of thsi force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, this spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people, who hear a call and answer in extra ordinary ways."
– Richard Attenborough, fom the film Mother Teresa

"Without love and care, what have you got? A world without a heart."
– From a Holocaust rescuer as quoted by Samuel P. Oliner,
in a chapter from the book Altruism and Altruistic Love

Love and altruism are powerfully motivating emotions. They are at the heart of all formal religious thought and have motivated many in ther choice to pursue the healing arts. But how does love work? And what is it that motivates some to take great risks for the sake of another human being while others are content to stand by and do nothing? Can we teach love? And how do we teach others to become more altruistic? What does it mean to develop healing relationships as professional caregivers?

Miriam Bergman died following an allergic reaction to a wasp sting on September 1, 1991, just two months following her graduation from Maine Dartmouth Family Practice Residency. She taught this community much about caring for patients with deep compassion, vibrant intellectual curiosity, creativity, boundless enthusiasm and love.

Miriam shared her passion for jazz, film, garlic and vegetarian cooking with her patients, her family, friends and co-workers. While she was a resident, she made time to write a column for the Maine Times, to co-found the SAFE fund and the Maine chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, and to swim, ski and kayak on her beloved Jimmie Pond.