Role of Ethics in Healthcare Discussed at University
Karen Smith, Ph.D., director of clinical ethics at Banner Desert Medical Center and former chief ethicist for the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan, discussed “The Role of Ethics and Ethics Committees in Healthcare” at a lecture sponsored by Ethics Across the Curriculum, a new initiative began at The University of Scranton this academic year. At the lecture held on campus in February, from left, are: Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Scranton; Dr. Smith, guest speaker; Sarah Kenehan Ph.D., executive director of the Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities; and Christopher Hauser, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy at Scranton.Ethics Across the Curriculum, a new initiative that began at The University of Scranton this academic year, hosted a lecture on “The Role of Ethics and Ethics Committees in Healthcare,” presented by Karen Smith, Ph.D., director of clinical ethics at Banner Desert Medical Center.
Dr. Smith, the former chief ethicist for the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan, also facilitated a workshop for Scranton’s pre-health students on advanced directives. Dr. Smith has published numerous articles related to clinical ethics in the hospital setting, with a specialization in death and dying issues.
The University’s Ethic Across the Curriculum Initiative is inspired by the call for the formation of students’ moral characters as a key component of the 500-year-old Jesuit educational mission. Scranton’s initiative includes faculty development components and experiential learning and open dialog discussion opportunities for students, as well as lectures and workshops, such as those offered by Dr. Smith.
