Cathy Lazarus

Dr. Cathy Lazarus is currently the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Professor of Medicine (tenured) at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and Tulane University School of Medicine (gratis).  Dr. Lazarus received her MD degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, where she also completed her internship and residency in internal medicine. She has received several awards for leadership and teaching, including the Edith J. Leavitt award for Distinguished Service from the National Board of Medical Examiners; the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award from the Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society (twice); the Presidents Medal of Excellence for Graduate and Professional Teaching from Tulane University; and is member of the Tulane Academy of Teaching Scholars. She is a graduate of the ELAM program. Dr. Lazarus served as the founding chair of the Gold Humanism in Medicine National Advisory Council, and was one of several national faculty leaders who visioned with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation on the creation of the Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society, and founded one of the first three medical school chapters in the country. She is on the editorial board for the Journal of General Internal Medicine and serves as an Associate Editor for Medical Education on Line, as well as serving as a reviewer for several medical education journals. She served on the Board of the National Board of Medical Examiners from 2009-2018.

Dr. Lazarus’s professional interests include medical education, professional development, humanism and humanities in medicine, end of life care, women’s health, diversity and equity, and disability rights. She currently serves as the course director for the Humanities in Medicine elective at LSU NO SOM. At Tulane University School of Medicine she is a core faculty member for the Masters in Bioethics and Humanities program where she co- developed and teaches several courses. She co-developed and co- teaches coursework on disability, arts, and justice as part of the Tulane Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (SISE) minor on the Tulane undergraduate campus.  

Dr. Lazarus is committed to serving her community. She served as one of three healthcare sector leads for the Campaign for Equity New Orleans (CENO), a city-wide initiative to make New Orleans “the most equitable city in America”. She currently serves as board chair for Disability Rights Louisiana, the state-wide protection and advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities and seniors. The Governor of Louisiana appointed her to the Louisiana Rehabilitation Commission Advisory Council and the Mayor of New Orleans selected her to serve on the board of the Metropolitan Human Services district which provides behavioral health and disability services across three parish areas.