About the Pathway
The Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy offers the Medical Ethics Pathway for medical students seeking to develop greater knowledge and expertise in medical ethics. The Medical Ethics Pathway was initiated by members of the class of 1993 and was the first "pathway" of electives at Baylor College of Medicine. Other "pathways" at the College are modeled on the Medical Ethics Pathway. The Medical Ethics Pathway was also the first medical ethics track in any medical school in the United States, which other medical schools have used as a model in developing their own medical ethics tracks.
Course Overview
First-Year Required Ethics Thread Curriculum
The new Ethics Thread curriculum is integrated into the medical school curriculum, which begins in fall of the MS1 year and continues throughout the academic year. A combination of asynchronous learning modules and 11 active learning sessions (a combination of in-person and virtual) introduce students to foundational topics in medical ethics, including basic principles of medical ethics, informed consent and refusal, medical decision-making, end-of-life, and pediatric ethics.
Second-Year Elective Seminar: Bioethics Seminar - MEETH-417
This seminar provides students with an understanding of the philosophical, historical, legal and religious underpinnings of bioethical debates. Course Director: Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby, Ph.D., M.A.
Third-Year Clinical Elective: Introduction to Clinical Medical Ethics - MEETH-418
This clinical elective combines weekly clinical experiences or supplemental activities and seminars to provide an in-depth introduction to clinical ethics. Course Director: Adam Omelianchuk, Ph.D. and Ryan Dougherty, Ph.D.
Fourth-Year Research Elective: Scholarly Project - MEETH-419
During their fourth year, students complete an independent study, during which they engage in a supervised project that could take the form of either a paper or a project on a topic in clinical ethics. Course Director: Vasiliki Rahimzadeh, Ph.D. and Adam Omelianchuk, Ph.D.
Graduation
Students who complete the Baylor Medical Ethics Pathway are presented a certificate during a special reception and poster showcase held the morning of graduation. Family members are encouraged to attend.
