Paul Tatum, MD, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Palliative Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. A dedicated clinician, educator, and leader in the field, Dr. Tatum specializes in providing compassionate, high-quality care for patients with serious and life-limiting illnesses. His clinical expertise focuses on effective symptom management, advance care planning, and supporting patients and their families through the challenges of advanced disease, with the goal of optimizing quality of life at every stage.

Recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to end-of-life care, Dr. Tatum received the prestigious 2016 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award in the Mid-Career Physician category. This honor highlights his exemplary dedication to caring for patients near the end of life and his commitment to modeling compassionate, patient-centered medicine.

Dr. Tatum is a passionate educator who has trained numerous physicians, fellows, and interdisciplinary teams in the principles and practice of palliative and hospice medicine. He is board-certified in both Geriatrics and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and holds additional distinctions including MSPH, CMD, FAAHPM, and AGSF. Throughout his career, he has advocated for improved access to palliative care services and has contributed to advancing the field through scholarship, leadership roles (including service with the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine), and efforts to shape policy and education around serious illness care.

His work continues to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals to approach palliative medicine with both clinical excellence and deep humanity.