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Dr. Francis J. Tedesco
Dr.
Francis J. Tedesco served as the President of the Medical College of
Georgia from July 1, 1988, until his retirement on
February 1, 2001. He joined the Medical College of Georgia faculty
in 1978 as Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of
Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine. He was promoted to
Professor in 1981. He served as Acting Vice President for Clinical
Activities for a period of time before assuming the permanent role
in 1984. He served as Interim Dean, School of Medicine, from 1986 to
1988.
Dr. Tedesco was born in Derby, Connecticut. He graduated from high school in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1961, Fairfield University (cum laude) in 1965, and the St. Louis University School of Medicine (cum laude) in 1969. He is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine with certification in gastroenterology.
Dr. Tedesco has served as Chairman of the National Digestive Disease Advisory Board of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which reviewed, advised and evaluated efforts to combat digestive diseases. In this role, he was involved in making recommendations to the U.S. Congress, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of NIH and the heads of federal agencies.
Dr. Tedesco was President of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (one of the largest gastrointestinal organizations in the US) from May 1985 to May 1986. The ASGE awarded Dr. Tedesco the 1993 Rudolf Schindler Award, its highest distinction in recognition of his contributions to gastrointestinal endoscopy. He has served as a reviewer for 14 nationally known journals and has been a member of 5 editorial boards, and has published over 180 research articles, abstracts, and book chapters.
In 1983, Dr. Tedesco received the Dr. Eddie D. Palmer Endoscopy Award for excellence in endoscopic research and contributions to gastrointestinal endoscopy. He has been a member of the national medical honorary society of Alpha Omega Alpha since 1968. Other awards received during his career include the Outstanding School of Medicine Faculty Award, Medical College of Georgia; the 1993 Alumni Professional Achievement Award, Fairfield University Alumni Association; and the 1996 Alumni Merit Award, St. Louis University School of Medicine. His name was published among the 100 most influential Georgians in the January 1993, 1994, and 1996 issues of Georgia Trend Magazine. In 1998, he was awarded the "Spirit of Georgia" Award by the Georgia Economic Developers Association for his efforts to bring health care to the medically underserved Georgians through Telemedicine and its Electronic House Call and to create the MCG Children's Medical Center, devoted exclusively to the care of children.
From 1992 to 2001, Dr. Tedesco served as Chairman of the Health Strategies Council, a governor-appointed position. This 25-member Committee studies and makes recommendations to the Governor on the health care needs of Georgians. Additionally, in 1995, he was appointed by Georgia's Governor to serve on the Georgia Coalition for Health (GCH), a non-profit corporation to develop health policy recommendations for the state. In 1997, he was selected to chair the GCH. Also, in 1997, the Governor appointed him to the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Study Commission. The Commission was established to study the creation of a GME Trust Fund for medical education reimbursement in the changing market and health care environment. He has served as a member of the Ty Cobb Foundation Scholarship Board since 1998.
Dr. Tedesco has served as a Vice President of the American Cancer Society, on the Board of Directors of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Augusta. He is a member of the Savannah River Site Greater Augusta Council and the Augusta Tomorrow Board of Directors. The Rotarians have honored him in his selection as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Office of the President
Last updated: February 2001
