Comfort Always: Healing in the Age of Technology

A pediatric neurosurgeon’s affecting memoir about celebrating life, postponing death, and resurrecting the forgotten art of healing.

Pulling from four decades of medical practice, Dr. Cohen reflects on lessons learned in his career as an internationally recognized pediatric neurosurgeon. He brings us to the bedside and into the operating room to share moving stories of his fragile young patients and their families—each referred to him with a newly diagnosed brain tumor, each facing the crisis of their lives.

Comfort Always is about the art of medicine in the age of modern technology, and the healing power of a caring relationship between doctor and patient. Blending narrative storytelling with researched expertise, Cohen highlights the remarkable scientific advances that have enabled physicians to combat disease, relieve suffering, and prolong life, all while maintaining that technology is only part of the healing journey.

Through each patient’s emotionally charged story of heartbreak, courage, and resilience, Cohen proves that medicine should always be given alongside kindness, compassion, empathy, hope, humor, and humility. The message will resonate with anyone who has dealt personally with serious illness or has helped others navigate through the process.