Dr. Eduardo Bruera is a globally recognized leader in palliative care and supportive oncology with extensive academic and clinical leadership experience. He currently serves as Department Chair of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a position he has held since 1999, and concurrently serves as Medical Director of the Department of Supportive Care Center. Dr. Bruera earned his medical degree from the University of Rosario in Argentina in 1979 before completing his Medical Oncology training and joining the University of Alberta and Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada in 1984, where he became Professor of Oncology and The Alberta Cancer Foundation Chair in Palliative Care. His transition to MD Anderson in 1999 marked the beginning of his influential tenure as Professor of Medicine and the F.T. McGraw Chair in the Treatment of Cancer, establishing him as a central figure in integrating palliative care within comprehensive cancer treatment.
Dr. Bruera has authored more than 600 scientific papers, abstracts, and book chapters that have fundamentally shaped the evidence base for symptom management and palliative care in oncology. His pioneering research has focused on developing clinical approaches to manage pain, fatigue, and other distressing symptoms in cancer patients, translating scientific findings into practical clinical applications that improve quality of life during treatment. Through his extensive collaboration with the World Health Organization as both Expert Advisory Panel member (1999-2010) and Coordinator of the Palliative Care Program for Latin America (1989-1999), he has been instrumental in developing palliative care education, clinical programs, and research initiatives across the globe. His work has transformed palliative care from an ancillary service to an essential, integrated component of comprehensive cancer treatment, establishing standardized approaches now implemented worldwide.
Beyond his scholarly contributions, Dr. Bruera has personally trained hundreds of physicians who now practice palliative care across multiple continents, creating a lasting legacy through the next generation of specialists. He maintains significant influence through leadership roles including membership on the National Quality Forum's Palliative and End-of-Life Care Standing Committee and active participation in American Society of Clinical Oncology committees focused on palliative care quality outcomes and chronic pain guidelines. His recent recognition with the Walther Cancer Foundation Award from ASCO underscores his continued impact on the field as he addresses contemporary challenges in expanding access to palliative care services and optimizing symptom management for diverse patient populations. Dr. Bruera remains dedicated to advancing the science and practice of palliative oncology through ongoing research, mentorship, and global advocacy efforts that continue to shape the future of cancer care worldwide.
