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Colleen M. Gallagher, PhD, MA, LSW, FACHE

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Chief and Executive Director, Section of Integrated Ethics in Cancer Care, Division of Ofc/EVP, Physician-in-Chief, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Professor, Department of Critical Care, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Associate Professor, School of Health Professions, Academic Affairs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Colleen M. Gallagher, PhD, LSW, FACHE, has worked in the fields of social work and health care ethics since 1985. She received her Doctoral degree in Bioethics In Health Care Professions and Social Work from The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2004. She completed an ethics fellowship in 1997 at Georgetown University, in Washington, DC. 


In June 2008, Dr. Gallagher joined the staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where she is the Chief and Executive Director, of the Section of Integrated Ethics in Cancer Care, and an Associate Professor, in the Department of Critical Care. Previously, she served as System Director of Clinical Ethics for Resurrection Health Care in Chicago, Illinois. 

Dr. Gallagher is a national leader in health care ethics. She has worked in the fields of social work and health care ethics since 1985. As the Section Chief of Integrated Ethics in Cancer Care, Dr. Gallagher oversees a network of clinical rounds, ethics consults and research.  She has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and made presentations on a broad range of topics in the field of health care ethics. She holds appointments on various national and international committees, including Food and Drug Administration Molecular Devices Committee, International Ethics Expert for both  UNESCO Chair in Science and Technology and UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights. She has served also as Co-Chair of Clinical Ethics Consultation Affairs Committee for American Society of Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH); Ethicist for the Healthcare Quality Professional Task Team of the National Association for Healthcare Quality, and several others.

 

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2004 The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, OH, PHD, Bioethics in the Health Professions and Social Work
1988 John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, MA, Counseling and Human Services
1985 Notre Dame College of Ohio, South Euclid, OH, BA, Individual and Social Behavior (Social Work)

Board Certifications

2007 American College of Healthcare Executives
1985 Counselor social worker and marriage and family therapy board of ohio

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor, Department of School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 8/2008-present

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Voting Panel Member, Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Service, Silver Spring, MD, 3/2011-present
System Director, Clinical Ethics, Resurrection Health Care, Chicago, IL, 2001-2008
Bioethics Consultant, Secretariat for Catholic Charities Health and Human Services, Cleveland, OH, 1999-2001

Consultantships

Ethicist, National Association for Healthcare Quality, Glenview, IL, 8/2010-present
Consultant, Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Service, Silver Spring, Maryland, 1/2010-present

Institutional Committee Activities

Ex-Oficio Member, Quality Improvement Assessment Board, 2011-present
Member, Institutional Review Boards, 2008-present
Member, Psychosocial Council, 2008-present
Member, Joint Commission Readiness Chapter Leader Team, 2008-present
Member, 2009 Annual Retreat Planning Committee for Clinical Ethics Committee, 2008-2009

Honors and Awards

2011 Presidential Citation Award, American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH)

Professional Memberships

American College of HealthCare Executive (ACHE), Chicago, IL
Fellow, 2007-present
Member, 2004-present
American Society of Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH), Glenview, IL
Co-Chair of Clinical Ethics Consultation Affairs Standing Committee, 10/2009-present
Member, 1999-present
International Association for Education in Ethics, Pittsburgh, PA
Member, 2010-present
Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Washington D.C.
Member, 1992-present
PRIM&R - Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research, Boston, MA
Member, 2008-present
United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
International Ethics Expert for Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, 9/2009-present
International Ethics Expert for Chair in Science and Technology, 4/2009-present
USFDA Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel, Silver Spring, MD
Panel Member, 1/2010-3/2014

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Schlumbrecht MP, Gallagher CM, Sun CC, Ramondetta LM, Bodurka DC. Ethics Consultation on a Gynecologic Oncology Service: An Opportunity for Physician Education. J Cancer Educ 26(1):183-7, 3/2011. e-Pub 9/2010. PMID: 20835927.
2. Allesee L, Gallagher CM. Pregnancy and Protection: the Ethics of Limiting a Pregnant Woman's Participation in Clinical Trials. J Clin Res Bioeth 2(2):1-5, 3/2011. PMCID: PMC3158978.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Interactive Electronic Informed Consent with Integrated Decision Support for Complex Clinical Trials: Pilot Study and Preliminary Efficacy Assesment
Funding Source: Study Section Review Committee for Clinical, Translational, and Population-Based Research Projects
Role: Collaborator
Duration: 11/14/2012 - present
 
Title: ENGAGE
Funding Source: Kingston General Hospital in Ottawa, Canada
Role: Collaborator
Principal Investigator: Francois Pouliot, MD, PhD
Duration: 8/4/2010 - 7/31/2010
 
Title: Bioethics Initiative for Equity in Health Care and Research at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Funding Source: NIH/NCMHD
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator: Janice A. Chilton
Duration: 10/1/2009 - 6/30/2012

Last updated: 11/26/2012