M. E. Hecht, MD, was a renowned surgeon that brought innovation and healing to the world. A published author, freelance writer, and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hecht was a recognized expert with degrees from Yale, Columbia University, and the State University of New York, in addition to advanced study in Davos, Switzerland. After receiving her medical degree, Dr. Hecht became the assistant chief of orthopedics at Elmhurst Hospital, an affiliate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Always a brave innovator, she created the first ambulatory care unit for Cabrini Hospital and later established the country’s first group of surgeons devoted solely to rendering second opinions for elective surgery, the Hecht Group Second Surgical Opinion Institution.
Dr. Hecht continued to present, write, and contribute as a medical expert to a variety of international publications on strength, exploration, care, and aging. Her philanthropic endeavors abound, including helping young artists by cofounding the Singers Development Foundation. She believed in growing older; growing into it, but never "out of it." Her promise to do no harm was her life-guiding mantra.
Whoopi Goldberg is the bestselling author of Is It Just Me?, If Someone Says 'You Complete Me' . . . Run! and The Unqualified Hostess, as well as her children's books, including Alice, Whoopi's Big Book of Manners, and the Sugar Plum Ballerinas series for young readers. She is a prolific producer and entrepreneur and is one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy, the Academy Award, the Golden Globe, the Emmy, and a Tony Award for her work in film, television, recording, and stage.
