The Daniel W. Foster, M.D., Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics
The annual Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics, established in 2007 to honor Dr. Foster, brings distinguished medical ethics scholars to the UT Southwestern campus to present and discuss the challenging moral issues in biomedicine. These lectures offer opportunities for faculty, staff and trainees to engage and reflect on current medical ethics issues.
Dr. Foster served as UT Southwestern Chair of Internal Medicine from 1987 to 2003. He also left an indelible mark on the ethics community, serving as a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics, appointed by President George W. Bush.
The 2025 Daniel W. Foster, M.D.
Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics
Holly J. Humphrey, M.D., who is the President of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, will deliver the next Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 12:00-1:00 p.m. Details about this lecture will be forthcoming.
For additional information, ruth.vinciguerra@utsouthwestern.edu.
Past Lecturers
2023: Nancy S. Jecker, Ph.D.
"Dignity in Later Life"
2022: Sandro Galea, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H.
“An Argument for a Liberal Public Health: Reflections on a Discipline in Flux after COVID-19”
2021: Rosalyn W. Berne, Ph.D.
“Race and Ethics in the Design of Biomedical Technologies: The Pulse Oximeter as a Case in Point”
2020: Thomas H. Murray, Ph.D.
“Good Sport and Good Doctoring: When Patients Want Enhancement, Not Therapy”
2019: Nancy M.P. King, J.D.
“Human Germline Editing: Science or Fiction”
2018: Bernard Lo, M.D.
“Maintaining Trustworthiness in NIH Public-Private Partnerships”
2017: Patricia A. King, J.D.
“Reflections on Race and Racism in Bioethics: Is There A Way Forward?”
2016: Joseph J. Fins, M.D.
“Disorders of Consciousness and Neuroethics: Why Rights Must Come to Mind”
Presentation not available
2015: Susan M. Wolf, J.D., Ph.D.
“The Challenge of Precision Medicine: Ethical, Legal & Clinical Issues in Genomic Medicine”
Watch the Presentation
2014: Tom L. Beauchamp, Ph.D.
“Moral Problems in the Research-Practice Distinction and in Oversight Systems to Protect Patients.”
Watch the Presentation
2013: Nancy Berlinger, Ph.D., M.Div.
“Avoiding Harm and Improving Care Near the End of Life: What Good Can Ethics Do?”
Watch the Presentation
2012: Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.
“Politics and the Ethics of Health Care Reform”
Watch the Presentation
2011: Christine K. Cassel, M.D.
“Professionalism, Bioethics, and a New Definition of Palliative Care”
2010: Leon R. Kass, M.D., Ph.D.
“Taking Care: Ethical Caregiving in Our Aging Society”
2009: R. Alta Charo, J.D.
“The Celestial Fire of Conscience: Is There a ‘Right’ to Refuse Medical Services?”
2008: Ruth R. Faden, Ph.D., M.P.H.
“Ethics of Health Care Reform”
2007: Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D.
“The Doctor's Ethics: What Has Changed, What Cannot Change”