The first physician in the U.S. to undertake and complete the first postgraduate fellowship in clinical ethics, at the University of Chicago, Dr La Puma’s clinical care and papers have identified, analyzed and sometimes resolved moral problems in a particular patient’s care.
Dr La Puma also established the first ethics consultation service at the University, published the first empiric research on ethics consultation, and is regarded as a pioneer in the field. His work helped to change AMA and ACP policies on professionalism and end-of-life care, and his publications continue to offer guidance to trainees and scholars in identifying, analyzing and resolving moral problems in patient care and in health care institutions.
