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"Courage to Heal" is a
compelling story based on the birth and development of the Kaiser Permanente medical
care program. Although fictional at times, Dr. Bernstein has captured the true character of its leader, Dr. Sidney Garfield:
his courage, his integrity, and his passionate conviction that the combining of prepayment with group practice was advantageous
to both patient and physician alike. Those of us who participated in the early development of the program were
ostracized by community physicians and medical organizations who sought the extermination of our unconventional program.
At the same time, we found ourselves contending with Mr. Henry Kaiser. We were
determined to preserve the physician's control and responsibility for medical decisions against any lay interference.
It was our firm belief that voluntary enrollment in our prepayment program and the group form of practice combined to provide
good medical care, encouraged preventive measures and was entirely ethical. It was that conviction that compelled us
to continue. Foreward of Courage to Heal by Cecil Cutting, MD, age 96, Medical Director Emeritus of the Permanete
Medical Group, close friend and associate of Sidney Garfield, MD
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