Michigan Bioethics

Michigan Bioethics is an interdisciplinary community devoted to the exploration of ethics in health. We offer both clinical and research ethics consultation and educational opportunities across the spectrum of training, produce cutting-edge normative and empirical scholarship, and consult on improved health policy at the institutional, state, federal, and global level.

Both peer recognition and independent validation have established Michigan Bioethics as a national leader in bioethics service, education, and research. In 2022, Michigan Bioethics (then called the Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine) won the American Society for Bioethics & Humanities’ (ASBH) “Cornerstone Award.” It is the highest honor for an institution and “recognizes outstanding, enduring contributions” that have “deeply enriched and helped shape the direction of the field of bioethics.” We have also been nationally recognized as “one of the most outstanding bioethics centers” in the country. Our past fellows describe “a highly supportive environment” with “a strong mentorship culture and commitment.”

Clinical Ethics Service

Working with both the Pediatric and Adult Ethics Committees, the Clinical Ethics Service offers individual, proactive, and organizational ethics consultation and expertise across the Michigan Medicine.

Ethics Education

Offering a robust program for longitudinal education for Michigan Medicine faculty, staff, and trainees.

Research Ethics Service

Working with the Research Ethics Committee, the Research Ethics Service offers research ethics consultation across the design, active, and dissemination phase.

Scholarship

Offering advanced scholarly engagement in the study of bioethics.

Bioethics Leadership

Kayte Spector-Bagdady, JD, MBE

George E Wantz Research Professor of Bioethics
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Service Chief, CHHASSM
Medical School

Christian John Vercler

Clinical Professor of Surgery
Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and Program Director
Plastic Surgery Section
Medical School

Andrew G Shuman, MD, FACS, HEC-C

Professor Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Assistant Dean for Veterans Services
Medical School

Janice Firn, PhD, LMSW, HEC-C

Clinical Associate Professor of Learning Health Sciences
Medical School

Publications

Recent Michigan Bioethics Publications

Clinical ethics consultation for patients with eating disorders: a single center retrospective content analysis Rachel Brownson, Isabel O’Sullivan, and Janice Firn.

News

Celebrating Professorship Appointment

Congratulations to Professor Kayte Spector-Bagdady on being named the George E. Wantz Professor of Bioethics!

Distinguished University Professorships recognize full professors for exceptional scholarly or creative achievement, national and international reputation, and superior records of teaching, mentoring and service.