Second Opinion or Death

I have known Michael F. Bennitchi (Dr. B) for 24 years. He has always been a dreamer and has wanted to conquer the world of medicine. Although he knew money would be in medicine, it was his drive to find cures rather than cover up illness that drove and propelled him to practice day in and day out. From the first time he entered medical school and was told that doctors do not make money on healthy people, he began to question everything he was taught. He strongly believed that if a patient had a breath, he had a chance. He knew medicine and drugs were not the only answer to illness. When he found a problem, he always searched further to find the cause of the problem. He never worries; he goes by his innate, natural instinct. Unfortunately, much of his time was caught up in a constant battle with many doctors who felt that he was trying to make a name for himself. As he developed his skills, he aggressively sought to correct those doctors, whom he found to be less than professional. In every sense of the word, he has been a maverick, and always will be. He wondered why patients who were being led to their graves still followed their doctor's advice and orders. Second Opinion or Death is about Dr. B's personal experiences. It shows how strong the drug companies are, and how much influence they have in the direction medicine has taken. Second Opinion or Death is a love/hate story. Caught up in a romance with his wife, his life and his profession, the pharmaceutical companies nearly drove him to his grave. He contemplated suicide, because he lost the profession he loves most. His life was totally devastated, yet he fought back, even after being raided several times and almost destroyed bythe very people who are supposed to be protecting the public. His story will make you laugh, cry and feel good, but most of all it will inform you. Regardless of what your doctor's advice is, always get a second opinion. If this troubles him, get a new doctor, because the lack of a second opinion may mean death. -Dr. Erick Hendrick