If you had 15 minutes to live, what would you do?

It’s one of Bernie Siegel’s favorite questions, and it contains within it the whole of his philosophy.

Siegel, a retired surgeon well known for his television appearances, public talks and popular books, will bring his philosophy to the World Wellness Weekend in Ashland Saturday when he gives an evening keynote address on the theme, "What is Wellness?"

"Your greatest teacher is death," Siegel says. "When you know you’re mortal, you pay attention to time. "

With degrees from Colgate University and Cornell Medical College and surgical training at Yale University, Siegel has spent nearly three decades as an untiring and uncompromising champion of complementary and alternative medicine.

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A former president of the American Holistic Medical Association, he has appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "20/20" and many other television programs as well as giving public talks to medical professionals and the public.

Siegel’s first book, "Love, Medicine and Miracles," sold more than 2 million copies and went to the top of The New York Times Bestseller List. His other books are "Peace, Love and Healing," and "How to Live Between Office Visits."

Siegel says that illness can be seen as a gift, as it forces us to look profoundly at how we are living our lives.

"Your body is saying: Stop. Ask the illness — what do you want of me? The disease allows us to say: Help. I’m not fine."

Key to Siegel’s approach is the notion of making lifestyle and attitudinal choices that directly affect your health.

"Many people didn’t want to get well," Siegel says of his patients. "They need the illness to get your attention. You can ask for your needs without being ill."

In 1978, Siegel and his wife, Bobbie, founded the Exceptional Cancer Patients program for cancer survivors. The program is a combination of group and individual therapy based in New Haven, Conn.

Since retiring from clinical practice in 1989, Siegel, working with Bobbie, has focused on humanizing medical care and teaching other healthcare professionals about mind-body connections.

"We are here to love, to serve," Siegel says. "If that’s how you choose to live, you will have an easier life. If you’re here to get something, you’re in for a hard life."

Reach Tempo editor Richard Moeschl at 776-4486, or e-mail rmoeschl@mailtribune.com