Edward T. Creagan

Edward T. Creagan, MD, FAAHPM, is a medical oncologist and hospice and palliative care specialist who practiced at the Mayo Clinic for more than forty Minnesota winters until he stepped away from active clinical practice in late 2018. He is professor emeritus of medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic Medical School where he held the endowed chair as the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine, and he is now Emeritus Professor of Humanism in Medicine and an Emeritus Consultant in Palliative Medicine there. He was named Outstanding Educator from the Mayo Clinic School of Continuing Medical Education and has received the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award—Mayo Clinic’s highest honor. He completed an elected term as President of the Mayo Staff. Dr. Creagan was the first Mayo Clinic consultant board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. He is also board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Ed (as he is known) received his medical training at New York Medical College and earned graduate degrees in internal medicine and oncology at the University of Michigan and the National Cancer Institute before joining the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2015, he received the Ellis Island Medal for contributions of descendants of immigrants. He is the author of over 500 scientific papers and has given more than 1,000 presentations throughout the world, including his home state of New Jersey. As an accomplished speaker, his presentations to both professional and consumer audiences are notoriously funny yet filled with useful lifestyle information on such topics as the healing power of pets, preventing stress and burnout, and surviving retirement. His presentations have such appealing titles and motivational content as Dr. Ed’s 8 Commandments for Living Well, How to Live Long Enough to Cash In Your 401(k), and How to Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen. He is available to speak to corporate, consumer, and medical groups and invites inquiries. With coauthor Sandra Wendel, he is the author of the fully revised third edition of his triple award-winning book, How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician’s Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis. His most recent book titled Farewell provides answers to the vital end-of-life questions patients and families ask. He blogs about life lessons at www.AskDoctorEd.com. An avid marathoner and golfer, father of three sons, and grandfather of two grandsons, Dr. Creagan and his wife, Peggy, live with two rescue Golden Retrievers (one is blind) in Rochester, Minnesota. Follow his popular daily healthy living tip on Instagram @AskDoctorEd and his lifestyle blogs at www.AskDoctorEd.com.