Introduction
Dr. Pedro "Joe" Greer, Jr. (born June 15, 1956 in Miami, Florida) is an American physician of Cuban descent. He is assistant dean of Academic Affairs and Chair of the Department of Humanities, Health and Society at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He was awarded a MacArthur "genius grant" in 1993, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, and the Great Floridian Award in 2013. He has been a board member of the American charity for the homeless, Comic Relief.
Early life and career
Born to parents who emigrated from Spain, Greer graduated from the Christopher Columbus High School, and then from the University of Florida with a BS in chemistry in 1978. In 1984, he earned his MD from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. He specialized in gastroenterology and hepatology during his residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital. His 1999 autobiography is Waking Up in America: How One Doctor Brings Hope to Those Who Need It Most. He has a joint practice with his father, Dr. Pedro Greer, Sr.
He is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and has been awarded the Order of Constantine and Significant Sig awards from that organization.