Ezekiel Emanuel
Ezekiel Emanuel
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ezekiel Emanuel is commonly known as Zeke Emanuel.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 23, 1957.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American physician, bioethicist, and former White House advisor. He currently serves as the Diane and Robert Belfer Professor of Management and Conflict Resolution in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School.
Early Life and Background
Ezekiel Emanuel was born to a Jewish family in New York City. His father, Abraham Emanuel, was a physician and his mother, Faye Emanuel, was a teacher. Ezekiel grew up with a strong sense of social justice and became interested in medicine at an early age. He graduated from Springfield High School in Pennsylvania and later attended Swarthmore College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in 1979.
Emanuel then went on to study medicine at Harvard Medical School, graduating with his M.D. in 1984. During his time at Harvard, he was also involved in various extracurricular activities, including volunteering at the Boston City Hospital and participating in a clinical fellowship program at the University of California, San Francisco.
Major Accomplishments
Ezekiel Emanuel has made significant contributions to the field of healthcare policy and bioethics. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Serving as the Special Advisor for Health Policy to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Obama Administration from 2009 to 2010.
Co-chairing the President's Council on Bioethics under the chairmanship of Leon Kass from 2001 to 2007.
Contributing to various reports and policy briefs, including the Institute of Medicine's "Care for Elders with Dementia" report in 1998.Notable Works or Actions
Ezekiel Emanuel has written extensively on healthcare policy, bioethics, and health reform. Some of his notable works include:
His book, "Healthcare Guaranteed: A Simple, Savings Solution for Everyone," co-authored with Victor Fuchs, published in 2006.
"The Ends of Human Life: Medical Ethics in a Liberal Polity" (1997), which explores the ethical implications of medical decision-making.
He has also been an active contributor to various media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR.
Impact and Legacy
Ezekiel Emanuel's contributions to healthcare policy and bioethics have had a lasting impact on the field. His work has influenced policymakers, researchers, and clinicians alike. As a leading voice in healthcare reform, he continues to shape public discourse around issues related to health, ethics, and social justice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ezekiel Emanuel is widely quoted or remembered for his thought-provoking insights on complex healthcare issues. His expertise has been sought by policymakers, media outlets, and the general public alike. As a leading figure in healthcare policy and bioethics, he continues to shape the conversation around these critical topics.
By understanding Ezekiel Emanuel's life, work, and legacy, we can gain a deeper appreciation for his contributions to healthcare policy and bioethics. His commitment to social justice and his dedication to improving healthcare outcomes have made him a respected figure in the field.
Quotes by Ezekiel Emanuel
Anyone who lives in Washington and has an official position viscerally understands the cost of a lack of privacy. Every dinner - especially ones with a journalist in attendance - is preceded by the mandatory, 'This is off the record.' But everyone also knows, nothing is really 'off the record.'
The situation around Terri Schiavo was a deeply held conflict over what to do if someone isn’t going to return to consciousness or competence. Who will decide? Even there, where we had settled legal rules, we still had disagreement. We’re torn about these things.
Anyone who lives in Washington and has an official position viscerally understands the cost of a lack of privacy. Every dinner – especially ones with a journalist in attendance – is preceded by the mandatory, ‘This is off the record.’ But everyone also knows, nothing is really ’off the record.
When my children were growing up, we began every family meal – which included breakfast and dinner every day – with a prayer. We are Jewish and so it was the prayer over bread, when we were having bread, or the catch-all prayer for everything when we weren’t.
My father always has been attractive because of his energy, warmth, charm, and talent for finding some connection with people from all cultures and walks of life. He rarely observed social formalities and niceties – something he has passed on to his boys.
We’re all on a continuous journey to try and fix our mistakes and flaws. And, believe me, I’ve got plenty of them.
Having been an oncologist and having cared for scores, if not hundreds, of dying patients, when you don’t have a treatment that can shrink the tumor and the patient will die, it’s a very difficult conversation. It’s emotionally draining.
We don’t have enough solid organs for transplantation; not enough kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs. When you get a liver and you have three people who need it, who should get it? We tried to come up with an ethically defensible answer. Because we have to choose.
I’m the son of a pediatrician, and I do believe that the most important resource we have is our kids. And I think the most important thing for America’s future is to invest more in our children.
Childhood vaccines are one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. Indeed, parents whose children are vaccinated no longer have to worry about their child’s death or disability from whooping cough, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis, or a host of other infections.