Edmund D. Pellegrino

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Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., was the 11th president of The Catholic University of America and the last layman to hold the position.

He is now the Chairman of the President's Council on Bioethics.

The Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University has come to be closely identified with its founder, Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., M.A.C.P. Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Medical Ethics. An outstanding international professional reputation and a personal commitment to the advancement of the human, theological, philosophical and ethical dimensions of medicine highlight Dr. Pellegrino's career. Dr. Pellegrino's personal and professional commitment to dialogue and exchange, while still strongly advocating the Roman Catholic tradition in medical ethics, has earned for himself and his colleagues at the Center, the respect of peers of a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds.

A graduate of St. John's University and New York University, Dr. Pellegrino is the author of more than 500 published articles and chapters in medical science, philosophy and ethics. He served residencies in medicine at Bellevue, Goldwater Memorial and Homer Folks Tuberculosis Hospitals, following which he was a research fellow in renal physiology and medicine at New York University. He has been a department chairman and dean, as well as President of the Catholic University of America. Dr. Pellegrino is a master of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the recipient of more than 40 honorary degrees. The author of 11 books, Dr. Pellegrino's research interests include the history and philosophy of medicine, professional ethics, the patient-physician relationship and biomedical ethics in a culturally pluralistic society.

Dr. Pellegrino has appeared on "Da Ali G Show" on HBO, Episode 11, when Ali G conducts a panel on medical ethics with several renowned experts, including Dr. Pellegrino, pressing his guests on issues of cloning (why not clone Carmen Electra?), euthanasia (vs. "youth in Asia") and plastic surgery.

Preceded by Clarence C. Walton, Ph.D.

President of CUA 1978–1982

Succeeded by Rev. William J. Byron, S.J.