Lisa Cuddy is the hospital administrator and dean of medicine played by Lisa Edelstein in House M.D. Cuddy oversees Princeton-Plainsboro while repeatedly managing House’s medical risks, rule-breaking, and value to the institution.
Cuddy is both House’s supervisor and one of his strongest professional advocates. She often allows him to pursue difficult diagnoses because his results benefit patients and the hospital, but she also imposes limits when his behavior threatens safety, legality, or institutional reputation. Their relationship includes professional conflict, personal tension, and a short romantic relationship.
The character is a physician and administrator, which gives her authority over the diagnostic department and the wider hospital. Her leadership role distinguishes her from House’s fellows and from Dr. James Wilson, whose primary specialty is oncology.
Lisa Edelstein portrayed Cuddy for the first seven seasons. She left the regular cast before season eight, so later episodes do not feature Cuddy as the hospital’s active dean. That timing is a frequent source of confusion when viewers remember the show’s leadership structure.