The O'Malley Chair

The O’Malley Chair in Bioethics symbolizes LMU’s commitment to scholarly excellence in the evolving field of bioethics, engaging a distinctly Catholic lens in dialogue with interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. It was created by an endowment gift in 1998 from L.A. Dodgers’ former owner Peter O’Malley, his wife Annette, and Roland and Terry (O’Malley) Seidler. The significant investment from the O’Malley and Seidler families was meant to honor then-LMU President Thomas P. O’Malley (no relation) and carries the name of his parents.

Distinguished Professor Roberto Dell’Oro of LMU’s Bioethics Institute begins a three-year term as the Austin and Ann O’Malley Chair in Bioethics this semester, fall 2021. James J. Walter was the inaugural O’Mally Chair holder from 1999-2013. After a brief period of vacancy, the BCLA Dean and Bioethics Institute invited a series of extraordinary visiting O’Malley chairs. With an office in the Institute, over the course of one semester the visiting scholar was available as a resource for the LMU and wider public community. In addition to teaching a graduate level course for Bioethics Institute students, the O’Malley Chair gave lectures to various departments and undergraduate courses, hosts luncheons, completed original research and engaged with our community of clinical affiliates and partner organization. Finally, the scholar gave our annual Austin & Anne O’Malley Chair Bioethics Lecture on a prominent topic within the field.