He received a BA from the University of Dallas in 1974, an MA in philosophy from Niagara University in 1977, and a PhD in philosophy from Marquette University in 1980. He taught philosophy St. Francis seminary in Milwaukee (1978-1981) and University of St. Thomas in Houston (1981-1992).

In 1992 Lee began teaching philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. In 2007 he was appointed to direct The Veritas Center for Bioethics, which hosts various public bioethics events, including lectures by renowned guest speakers and conferences and offers specific classes on contemporary ethical issues for healthcare professionals and the general public. As director, Lee defends and articulates the natural law theory’s positions on human life and marriage through his writings, debates, and public speaking engagements. His expertise includes such controversial bioethical issues as abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia, same-sex unions, and sex and gender.

His books include Body-Self Dualism in Contemporary Ethics and Politics (Cambridge University Press) with Dr. Robert P. George of Princeton University, Abortion and Unborn Human Life(Catholic University of America Press), and Conjugal Union, What Marriage is and Why it Matters with Dr. Robert P. George (Cambridge University Press). He has published over 50 articles in refereed journals or books, and is a regular contributor to popular publications such as First Things, National Review Online, New Atlantis, The Public Discourse, and Catholic World Report.

Lee has spoken on sexual morality to the United States Catholic Bishops’ workshop on ethics, testified to the U.S. Congress on life issues, and spoken to various groups including U.S. and state legislators. He is also the recipient of the Cardinal Wright Award for Excellence in Catholic Scholarship in Integrating Faith and Reason.

Dr. Schirger is a summa cum laude graduate of Creighton University with an undergraduate degree in Biology.  He has a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America, having written on the concept of chance in evolutionary theory.  He received his MD from the Creighton University School of Medicine, and Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he served for thirteen years on staff as part of the advanced heart failure practice.

He later joined Trinity Health System in Steubenville, Ohio to develop a heart failure program as well as joining the faculty of the Internal Medicine Residency training program.

Dr. Schirger is the Immediate Past President of the Catholic Medical Association, and serves on the Executive Board of the CMA.

He has many medical publications, and additionally has published in journals of medical ethics and lectured on issues related to evolutionary biology and end of life care in the setting of mechanical heart support.