This Year’s Bioethicist: From Influencer to Prophetic Educator

Authors

  • Mark Kuczewski Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2145-826X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1122846ar

Keywords:

academic freedom, DEI, fear, influencer, immigration, professionalism, retaliation

Language(s):

English

Abstract

Professional bioethicists have gained increasing acceptance in the healthcare and academic communities of the United States over the last 50 years. However, since the current administration took office in January 2025, questions concerning the appropriate role of bioethicists in preserving the values and ethics of healthcare and academic institutions have abounded. I argue that the usual tripartite characterization of service, scholarship and education still apply but how we interpret those roles and their relative importance has changed. While our established role of influencers of institutional policies remains important, the climate of fear-induced silence challenges us to emphasize our prophetic voice in calling the healthcare professions and institutions to remain faithful to their fundamental values. Furthermore, I recommend a renewed emphasis on basic education of professionals to solidify their formation.

References

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3. Veith I. Medical ethics throughout the ages. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1957;100(3):504.

4. Kuczewski MG, Goodman KW. Bioethicists and health care institutions must act against Florida’s anti-immigrant law. The Hastings Center. 24 May 2023.

5. Association of Bioethics Program Directors. ABPD Guidance on Required Questioning of Immigration Status in Healthcare. 18 Jun 2023.

6. Kuczewski M, Saadi A. Medicine must plan to protect immigrant patients and their families: with an election looming, the time is now. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2025;185(2):139-40.

7. Society of General Internal Medicine. Opposition to Reporting Immigration Status for Persons Accessing Medical Care Position Statement. Nov 2023.

8. Chatlani S. Need to go to the hospital? Texas and Florida want to know your immigration status. Stateline. 3 Oct 2024.

9. Winters MS. 50 years ago, we lost a great American and a genuine Christian prophet. National Catholic Reporter. 4 Apr 2018.

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11. Garrett L. Vance defends spreading claims that Haitian migrants are eating pets. NPR. 15 Sept 2024.

© Han Han Li

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Published

2026-01-20

How to Cite

[1]
Kuczewski M. This Year’s Bioethicist: From Influencer to Prophetic Educator. Can. J. Bioeth 2026;9:38-42. https://doi.org/10.7202/1122846ar.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Advocates, Activists, Architects of Moral Space?

Section

Perspectives

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Mark Kuczewski

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