Programs in Health Care Ethics

Through longstanding working relationships with hospitals and other health care providers, the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics has firsthand experience with the ethical dilemmas doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals face. We bring the resources of Santa Clara University to the exploration of these dilemmas, and draw on our community partners' resources to provide real-world experiences for our students.

Hospital Partnerships in Applied Ethics
For more than 10 years, the Center has worked closely with O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, Calif. In 2006, Seton Medical Center in Daly City and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy also became Center partners. Through these partnerships, the Center offers counsel on mutual decision making for health care professionals, patients, and their families. Center staff also serve on the hospitals' Bioethics Committees.

Health Care Ethics Internships and Student Programs
Students contemplating a career in health care participate in a yearlong program primarily at O'Connor Hospital, where they learn about day-to-day ethical dilemmas from physicians, nurses, and other professionals. Rotations are also available at Seton Medical Center and Hospice of the Valley. To date, 89 SCU undergraduates have participated in the program. Center staff also teach the core curriculum class, "Ethics in the Health Professions."

Bioethics Research and Web Resources
The Center has undertaken research on various cutting edge issues in health care ethics. Through a grant from the Honzel Family Foundation, the Center conducted a major study of medical decision making for patients in the care of permanent public conservators. The study resulted in a series of policy recommendations and training for all public guardians in Santa Clara County.

The Honzel Foundation has also supported Center research on personalized medicine, the results of which appeared in the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal. Ongoing projects include research and development of case studies in culturally competent care.

Staff