Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, a graduate of Tulane Medical School and Loyola Law School, served as the 2003-2004 president of the American Medical Association. He is a clinical professor of surgery, clinical professor of medical jurisprudence at Tulane University School of Medicine, and adjunct professor in the Department of Health Systems Management of the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Palmisano lectures extensively on patient safety, risk management, leadership, medical liability reform, emergency communications, and disaster preparedness. He brings his vast knowledge of medicine, the law, and the qualities of successful and effective leaders to every speech and lecture.

The Essentials of Success. Dr. Palmisano's book On Leadership: Essential Principles of Success was lauded by Publisher's Weekly as a "distilled, informative, and well-written" book which "offers a set of easy-to-follow steps to becoming a successful leader based on principles gleaned from personal experiences and the leadership failures and successes of prominent individuals," which "will appeal to managers at all levels looking to become effective leaders." The book features a foreword by Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and former Senate Majority Leader and surgeon, Bill Frist comments, "Whether you are looking to improve a management style or inspire others, this book is an invaluable tool."   

Dr. Palmisano has also appeared on ABC's Good Morning America and NBC's Today Show to discuss patient privacy and medical record confidentiality.  He has been featured on CNN's The Capitol Gang as the newsmaker of the week and appeared on ABC's Nightline to debate the medical liability crisis.  Dr. Palmisano was the newsmaker at the National Press Club on July 9, 2003, which was covered by C-Span, and has appeared on multiple additional televised news programs including ABC's World News Tonight, CNN's Talk Back Live, MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, CNN's Crossfire, ABC's Nightline, John McLaughlin's One on One, Fox News with Tony Snow, and Aaron Brown's NewsNight.

An Advocate for Patients. As president of Intrepid Resources/The Medical Risk Manager Company, Dr. Palmisano has worked tirelessly for patient safety. He serves on the Board of Governors of the National Patient Safety Foundation, the Board of Governors of Tulane University Health Sciences Center, the editorial board of The Journal of Patient Safety, and the Board of Governors of The Doctors Company. In August 2005, The Doctors Company gave Dr. Palmisano the Award for the Advancement of Patient Safety. He served as president of the Louisiana State Medical Society from 1984 to 1985, and was elected to the society's Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2005, he was awarded Loyola University New Orleans President's Medal. As chief of surgery for the 821st Medical Group, Dr. Palmisano was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for  "outstanding professional skill, knowledge, and leadership" for his service immediately after the crash of a B-52 strategic bomber.