Pediatric Ethics Committee

Committee Chair: Adam Marks, MD | Vice Chair: Rachel Brownson, MDiv

The Pediatric Ethics Committee reports to the Executive Committee on Clinical Affairs as determined by the Medical Staff Bylaws. They review ethical or moral questions that may come up during an adult patient's care in addition to organizational and educational ethical issues. The consultants facilitate communication among patients, their families, and the treatment team to assist everyone in making appropriate choices when difficult decisions need to be made. 

About Us

Sometimes patients, families and staff have very difficult choices and ethical questions they need to talk about. Discussions with ethics consultants can be helpful and reassuring when a difficult choice must be made (for example, questions on end-of-life care or issues of confidentiality). The goal of the Committee is to facilitate communication among adult patients, their families, and the treatment team to assist everyone in making appropriate choices, as well as to assist Michigan Medicine in complying with ethical standards, when difficult decisions need to be made. The Committee provides consultation to the treatment team, patients, and families on ethical, moral or philosophical problems and issues encountered in the course of managing inpatient and outpatient care.

Committee members include physicians, residents, nurses and social workers, as well as medical students, attorneys/compliance officers, a chaplain, and members from the community. The Pediatric Ethics Committee meets on the first Tuesday of the month, from 12-1:30 pm on Zoom. If you would like to attend as a guest, please contact Amy Lynn @ [email protected].

What happens when an ethics consultation is requested?

The consultants on call review the patient's medical situation and treatment options. In addition, concerns and feelings of the patient, family members, and the health care team are discussed. Members of the committee may visit with patients, families, and medical personnel to discuss and weigh in on these concerns and available options. Final decisions are made by the patient, family and the health care team.