Misericordia Recognizes World Bioethics Day

Misericordia University will discuss the topic of end-of-life care during a series of events being held to commemorate World Bioethics Day, which is celebrated internationally on Oct. 19. The free programs are co-sponsored by the Medical and Health Humanities Program, and the Center for Human Dignity in Bioethics, Medicine and Health at Misericordia University.

The opening lecture, “End of Life Care: An Honest Conversation,” is on Monday, Oct. 15 from 12-1 p.m. in Huntzinger Room 218 of Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. The speaker is F. Daniel Davis, Ph.D., senior investigator, Chief Bioethics Office, and professor and director of the Center for Translational Bioethics and Health Care Policy at Geisinger Health System. Dr. Davis will discuss the issues surrounding advanced directives, how to speak with individuals about advanced directives, and why they are important.

Dr. Davis holds a Ph.D. in philosophy with a specialization in philosophy and ethics in medicine from Georgetown University. His research interests include the need for health care professionals to infuse mindfulness, practical wisdom, and compassion to the care of patients with advanced illness and at the end of life.

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, Ira Bedzow, Ph.D., director of the Biomedical Ethics and Humanities Program at New York Medical College, will present, “Is there a Role for Religion in End-of-Life Care Decision Making? A Jewish Bioethical Perspective.” The event begins at 7 p.m. in Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hall.

Dr. Bedzow is an assistant professor of medicine as well as the director of the Biomedical Ethics and Humanities Program at New York Medical College. He is also a senior scholar at the Aspen Center for Social Values, editor-in-chief of the quarterly journal, “En Route,” and the director of the Aspen Program for Ethical Healthcare Leadership. Dr. Bedzow received his Ph.D. from Emory University, an M.A. from Touro College, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from Princeton University, as well as rabbinic ordination (Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin). He is the author of six books, and numerous articles on law, medical ethics and philosophy.

Throughout the week, students from the Misericordia University Arts of Health and Medicine Club are sponsoring an Advanced Directive Drive to provide information and encourage discussion about advanced directives.

World Bioethics Day was established by the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics at the International Center of Health, Law and Ethics, University of Haifa, to promote and develop medical ethics education around the world. The first celebration was held on Oct. 19, 2016, and featured seminars and programs to foster the principles of bioethics and human rights.

Stacy Gallin, D.M.H., director of the Center for Human Dignity in Bioethics, Medicine and Health at Misericordia University, serves as co-chair of the Department of Bioethics and the Holocaust of the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics, Haifa, and Amanda Caleb, Ph.D., Medical and Health Humanities Program director and associate professor of English, serves as a member of the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics Steering Committee. They are coordinating the events at Misericordia.

Established in 2016, Misericordia’s Medical and Health Humanities Program focuses on the human being, human experience and the need for empathy, as related to medical and health practices. It is designed for students who are interested in the humanities fields, as well as health care and medicine.

For more information on MHH program-sponsored events, go to http://www.misericordia.edu/medicalhumanitiesevents​ or contact Dr. Caleb at acaleb@misericordia.edu or 570-674-8113. For more information about the Center for Human Dignity in Bioethics, Medicine and Health at Misericordia University, please visit www.misericordia.edu/humandignity.