Cleveland Clinic to Host National Summit on Ethical Challenges in Surgical Innovation
4/1/2008
Cleveland Clinic will host "Ethical Challenges in Surgical Innovation," a first-of-its-kind summit to discuss challenges in surgical procedures, surgical device innovation and transplant surgery.
One of the key objectives of the summit is to educate participants about the moral dilemmas that often arise in the conduct of device development and other surgical innovations.
"We want to have a dialogue about potential solutions to these challenges, balancing the need for progress and creativity with the imperative of protecting patients from undue risk," said Eric Kodish, M.D., Chair of Bioethics at Cleveland Clinic. "We want to create a forum for exchange of ideas between surgical innovators and bioethicists with expertise in surgical ethics."
Eric Kodish, M.D. and C. Allen Bashour, M.D., will serve as course directors for the summit.
"Many of the thought leaders in this field will be participating and attending the summit," Dr. Bashour said. "Innovation improves patient care, but we must always be vigilant and committed to safety."
Dr. Kodish Invited to Speak on Medical Ethics at Youth Forum
3/9/2007
Eric Kodish, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Bioethics, was invited to speak at the City Club’s Youth Forum this Monday, March 12. Dr. Kodish will discuss "Medical Ethics in the 21st Century" with local high school students.
The City Club Youth Forum Series promotes enrichment of the academic curriculum, featuring nationally and internationally renowned speakers who address issues that the students consider of paramount importance. Each year, a council of students plans and implements five forums that attract an average of 280 high school students and teachers from public, private and parochial schools throughout Northeast Ohio. A unique aspect of these Youth Forums is that they are organized and implemented by and for students.
Cleveland Clinic, Department of Bioethics Featured on BBC Broadcast
7/20/2006
Members of the Department of Bioethics and Cleveland Clinic medical staff were recently interviewed for a BBC broadcast called "It's My Story - Ethicists On Call".
To listen to this broadcast, please click here.
Martin Smith, S.T.D., to Head Medical Ethics Initiatives
6/5/2006
Martin L. Smith has been appointed Director of Clinical Ethics for Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Smith, who holds a doctorate degree in sacred theology, will oversee and coordinate ethics consultations at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus and develop ethics education programs for health care professionals and students.
"We are delighted that we have been able to recruit Dr. Smith back to Cleveland Clinic to serve in this critical role," said Eric Kodish, M.D., Chairman of the Clinic’s Bioethics Department. "Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to quality patient care includes a deep concern for the ethical aspects of medicine. Dr. Smith will bring tremendous leadership, strength and experience to that commitment."
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Smith was Chief of the Clinical Ethics Service for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Smith previously worked at Cleveland Clinic from 1987 to 2001.
Dr. Smith said doctors, nurses and all bedside care providers deal with routine ethical issues as well as more dramatic dilemmas.
"The clinical ethics department tries to help prepare clinicians in advance and then assist them when they need additional help," he said. "My goal is to develop a robust education program that includes basic methodology and principles. I want to empower people to handle the next dilemma."
Dr. Smith received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and classical languages from Borromeo College in Wickliffe, Ohio. He received a master of divinity degree from St. Mary Graduate School in Cleveland and his doctorate in sacred theology from Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Dr. Smith received a Pope John Paul II Medallion for the Most Scholarly "Magna Cum Laude" Dissertation at Gregorian University in 1980.
Dr. Smith grew up in North Ridgeville and plans to reside in eastern Lorain County with his wife Jean.
Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Bioethics was established in 1983 and coordinates programs for clinical consultation, research ethics, institutional ethics support, education and research.
George A. Kanoti, S.T.D., (1934-2006)
6/2/2006
George Kanoti, S.T.D., former chairman of the Department of Bioethics passed away on June 2, 2006 after a long battle with cancer.
Dr. Kanoti created the first Cleveland Clinic Bioethics Department in 1984 and served as chairman from 1984 to 1996. He had been Adjunct Professor of Religious Ethics at John Carroll University, Associate Professor of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Health Sciences Center of The Ohio State University, and Research Professor at NorthEastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Dr. Kanoti served on a variety of commissions on ethics and religion, lectured internationally and was the author of numerous books, monographs and journal articles, including "Ethical Dilemmas: A Values Guide for Medical Students."
A memorial service for George Kanoti will be held on Saturday, June 3, at the Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home, 95 S. Franklin Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio (440)-247-7575. Calling hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., service beginning at 1 p.m. A reception will follow (details to be determined).
In lieu of flowers you may send donations in Memory of George Kanoti to: Cleveland Clinic Foundation; PO Box 931517; Cleveland, OH 44193. Donations can be made online as well at https://www.clevelandclinic.org/isupport/. Donations made in memory of George Kanoti will be directed to the Department of Bioethics. A burial service will be held at the schoolhouse in Lyndon, NY later this summer.
