The University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of contributions to the field of bioethics. In recognition of its impact, the department received the Cornerstone Award from the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH) in 2025.
The department has established a tradition where leaders select a “word of the year” that reflects its values. Words chosen in previous years include Trailblazing, Transformative, and Timeless. These words are featured on mugs distributed at the annual ASBH conference, attracting attention to Penn Bioethics.
Holly Fernandez Lynch, JD, MBE—an alumna and faculty member—said, “Penn Bioethics kind of runs deep in the community. You look out for each other. Because we’re one of the oldest programs, the people doing bioethics—lots of them got trained here.”
Founded in 1994 by Arthur Caplan, PhD, as an interdisciplinary center for scholarship, Penn Bioethics has evolved into a leading department focused on education, research, and policy. It is currently led by Chair Steven Joffe, MD, MPH, and Chief of the Division of Medical Ethics Emily Largent, JD, PhD, RN. The department’s work spans clinical ethics, research ethics, neuroethics, health law and policy.
Emily Largent noted: “What distinguishes Penn Bioethics is that it’s not just a group of talented individuals but it’s a place where they interact, collaborate, and collectively contribute to the field.”
Since launching its Master of Bioethics (MBE) program in 1997—which now counts over 900 alumni—the department has prepared professionals who work across medicine, dentistry, nursing law and industry. Its Master of Science in Medical Ethics (MSME) program is unique nationwide for integrating empirical methods with bioethical content.
Autumn Fiester, PhD—vice chair for education—described Penn Bioethics as “the premier training ground for the next generation of scholars.” She highlighted rigorous coursework and hands-on mentorship: “No one trains scholars like we do,” she said. “Our classrooms are magic—bringing together undergraduates physicians nurses lawyers and even emeritus faculty to learn from each other.”
Faculty have produced more than 2,100 publications over ten years in journals such as JAMA and NEJM. Their research has shaped decisions at healthcare institutions and government levels while contributing to debates on genomics ethics dementia care drug development.
As new challenges emerge—including artificial intelligence in healthcare or equitable access to gene therapies—the department continues its focus on real-world application. Anna Wexler PhD researches ethical issues related to neurotechnology; she said: “For me the most important question is about the role of bioethics—how we can ensure that the work we do in identifying and analyzing ethical concerns actually has a real-world impact on practice.”
Justin Clapp PhD MPH studies clinical decision-making: “It is one thing to come up with the right answer in a sterile hypothetical environment I want to know how these conversations are actually happening on the ground,” he said. “That’s my contribution to the bioethical debate—starting with how people talk decide and experience care.”
Clapp added: “The field is going to become more interdisciplinary and more rooted in what’s happening on the ground…We need to understand complexity before we apply theory—and that’s where Penn Bioethics excels.”
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