Harvey Conferred Honorary Degree

John Harvey, Sr. received an honorary degree in recognition of his tenure as a professor of medicine and leading researcher at the Center for Clinical Bioethics at the Georgetown University Medical Center in a ceremony in Gaston Hall Monday evening.

Harvey graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1941 and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Yale University in 1943 and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1947.

“I wanted to be a doctor since before I can remember,” Harvey said at the ceremony, reminiscing about accompanying his father, also a doctor, on patient visits as a young boy.

After attending medical school during World War II, Harvey dedicated 50 years of his life to his patients and students while studying medical ethics.

University President John J. DeGioia reflected on Harvey’s service to the medical school, where he has had a strong presence since 1973.

“John’s contributions — the model that he has provided for us of service to God and to humankind — is the reason that we gather here to honor him today,” DeGioia said.

“Dr. Harvey has exemplified cura personalis and excellence in every pursuit of his life.”

During the ceremony, Harvey thanked colleagues and mentors who influenced him during his time at Georgetown.

“Georgetown has been generous to me in countless ways,” Harvey said. “I admit I was very surprised when I received President DeGioia’s call telling me that I was going to be honored here today. Since then, I’ve been thinking of all those individuals who have made my medical career possible, particularly those colleagues, students and patients here at Georgetown who have shaped the philosophy of my practice.”

The ceremony also paid homage to Harvey’s involvement with the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem and is a Knight Commander with Star in the Order of St. Gregory the Great.

“His career in Jesuit study has been one of enduring and unwavering virtue,” Executive Vice President for Health Sciences and Executive Dean of the School of Medicine Howard Federoff said.

“Harvey’s deep caring — for people, for science and medicine and for God — is contagious,” Fr. Kevin FitzGerald, S.J., said during his reading of the degree citation. “He has earned the love and respect of countless individuals because of the love and respect he has bestowed.”