About the Department of Medical History and Ethics

The Department of Medical History and Ethics at the University of Washington provides academic education and professional training in medical humanities through an undergraduate Minor in Medical History and Ethics, a Theme in Professional Responsibility and Medical Ethics integrated into the School of Medicine curriculum, and a variety of sponsored continuing education activities for practicing health care professionals.

Departmental News and Events

Don't miss the latest lecture in our Brown Bag series: "Lost in Translation: Bridging the Gap Between Researchers and the Ethics Review Process," on Wednesday, May 28th, from 11:30am - 12:30pm in the Plaza Cafe rooms A & B! For more information click here.

The Department was honored to recently host a Jessie and John Danz lecture featuring Dr. Richard Lewontin, Alexander Agassiz Research Professor Emeritus of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. The highlight of Dr. Lewontin's stimulating two-day visit was his highly-attended lecture, Organism and Environment: The Organism as Subject and Object of Evolution. We'd like to recognize Professor Malia Fullerton for her efforts in nominating and hosting Dr. Lewontin as a Jessie and John Danz Lecturer. For a picture of this dynamic duo click here.

Once again the Department is proud to sponsor the 21st annual Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics! The Seminar will run August 4 - 8, 2008 on the Seattle campus. The seminar is co-chaired by MHE faculty members Tom McCormick and Denise Dudzinski, and features Dr. Albert Jonsen, MHE Professor Emeritus. For more information or to register for the Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics click here.

Department of Medical History and Ethics in the news

Bioethicists tackle the hard questions

A recent University Week article highlights the growing field of bioethics at the University of Washington and how the UW is fast becoming the "bioethics center for the northwest", thanks to the partnership of many different groups. To read the article featuring Kelly Fryer-Edwards of the Medical History & Ethics Department, Sara Goering of the Program on Values in Society, Dr. Benjamin Wilfond of the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, and Dr. Robert Pearlman of the VA Ethics Program, click here.

Dr. Arno G. Motulsky featured in recent New York Times article

An article recently published in the New York Times highlights the work of Dr. Arno Motulsky, a medical doctor, researcher, and professor here at the University of Washington, and the donor of the MHE departmental library's Motulsky Collection. To read the article click here.

Professor and Chair Wylie Burke, along with three colleagues from UW, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. The Institute is both an honorific membership organization and an advisory organization. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the institute has become recognized as a national resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on human health issues. The department congratulates Dr Burke on this well-deserved achievement.

To read more about the Institute and the UW faculty that were elected, click here.

MHE 401 History of Modern Medicine
Monday & Wednesday: 9:10am-10:40am
Instructor: Jack W. Berryman, PhD, Professor,
Medical History & Ethics

This class will examine the evolution of medical theory, practice, and institutions in European and American society from antiquity to the present, concentrating on the last two centuries. The goal of the course is to provide students with an appreciation of the scientific and cultural forces that have created modern medicine, thereby establishing an historic perspective on the challenges and problems that confront American medicine at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

MHE 597C Foundation of Bioethics
Monday & Wednesday: 9:40am-12:20pm
Summer 2008 , B Term
Instructor: Nancy Jecker, PhD, Professor, Medical History & Ethics

This course introduces graduate and professional students to bioethics as a field of scholarly inquiry.  It accomplishes this primarily by working through specific ethical problems that arise in the clinical setting of medicine.  By developing an appreciation of these problems, and of the methods of analysis used in their resolution, students will also learn about the methods and practice of bioethics.  Throughout the course, students will be asked both to employ philosophical analysis and argument in practical contexts, and to assess critically the assumptions underlying such analysis.

Science Studies Network

Malia Fullerton, PhD, is co-organizing the the UW, Science Studies Network. Sponsored by the Simpson Center for the Humanities, the group will serve as a research network as well as host conferences, workshops, speakers, and a bi-weekly colloquium. To find out more, click here to visit the website.