2002 Presenter Full Presenter List

Richard MacDonald

The Hemlock Society

As Medical Director of the Hemlock Society (the oldest and largest right-to-die organization in the U.S), Richard MacDonald, M.D., researches and writes prolifically on medical aspects of physician aid-in-dying, provides guidance on medical matters to the Hemlock Society, and facilities communication between the Hemlock Society and the medical community.

MacDonald received his M.D. from the University of Alberta in 1952. He established a general medical practice in Calgary, after interning at the Holy Cross and Veterans Affairs hospitals. In 1966, MacDonald moved to California, where he also had a general practice. He served in both the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and the United States Army Medical Corps, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in both.

MacDonald also served for two years as the Vice-President of the World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies and is the current President of this Federation.

MacDonald travels and lectures extensively for the Hemlock Society USA and hopes to see improved care for patients with terminal illnesses. He is a proponent of more adequate pain control, earlier and more frequent referral for hospice and palliative care, and the right of those few patients to choose physician aid-in-dying when even the best available are fails to provide an appropriate quality of life.