The Rossi Center for Faith and Culture further supports and integrates the mission of the Newman Catholic Student Center at The University of Iowa by helping students interface their faith and everyday lives. The Rossi Center generously finances fellowships, speakers and varied activities hosted at The Newman Catholic Student Center. To learn more, please follow the link below.
2023-2024 Christian Healthcare Ethics Seminar
*REgistration has reachED capacity and is now closed
A six-part seminar series for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the University of Iowa
Purpose: To describe, discuss, and promote a Christian understanding of healthcare ethics.
Target Audience: Students in or planning to enter healthcare or related fields who have a sincere desire to learn and grow in their
understanding of authentic Christian healthcare ethics. The hope is that students who are interested will be able to attend all
the sessions.
Instructor: Lauris C. Kaldjian, MD, PhD, MDiv
Director, Program in Bioethics and Humanities
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
Meeting Time: Six sessions, one Thursday per month, 6:00-7:30 pm
Seminar Topics:
Christian Foundations for Ethics
Concepts of Health, Goals of Care, Practical Wisdom
Human Embodiment, Goodness, Givenness
Beginning of Life Issues
End of Life Issues
Conscience in Healthcare
Registration: There are a limited number of spots available to attend. Monthly RSVP forms will be sent to those who have already signed up as
interested in attending. There is no fee to attend.
*REGISTRATION HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2023
Suggested general bibliography for background (additional references will be available for each session):
Ethics in general
Ethics in Healthcare
Target Audience: Students in or planning to enter healthcare or related fields who have a sincere desire to learn and grow in their
understanding of authentic Christian healthcare ethics. The hope is that students who are interested will be able to attend all
the sessions.
Instructor: Lauris C. Kaldjian, MD, PhD, MDiv
Director, Program in Bioethics and Humanities
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
Meeting Time: Six sessions, one Thursday per month, 6:00-7:30 pm
Seminar Topics:
Christian Foundations for Ethics
Concepts of Health, Goals of Care, Practical Wisdom
Human Embodiment, Goodness, Givenness
Beginning of Life Issues
End of Life Issues
Conscience in Healthcare
Registration: There are a limited number of spots available to attend. Monthly RSVP forms will be sent to those who have already signed up as
interested in attending. There is no fee to attend.
*REGISTRATION HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2023
Suggested general bibliography for background (additional references will be available for each session):
Ethics in general
- Frankena, William. Ethics. 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
- Geach, Peter. The Virtues. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1977.
- Holmes, Arthur F. Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions. 2nd ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007.
- Meilaender, Gilbert C. The Theory and Practice of Virtue. Notre Dame, IN: Univ of Notre Dame Press, 1984.
- Kreeft, Peter. Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 1990.
Ethics in Healthcare
- Biggar, Nigel. Why religion deserves a place in secular medicine. Journal of Medical Ethics;2015;41:229-233.
- Meilaender, Gilbert C. Bioethics: A Primer for Christians. 4th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2020.
- Pellegrino, Edmund D., and David C. Thomasma. The Christian Virtues in Medical Practice. Georgetown University Press, 1996.
- Pellegrino, Edmund D. Toward a virtue-based normative ethics for the health professions. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal;1995:5(3):253-277.
- Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. New Charter for Health Care Workers (English Edition). Philadelphia, PA: National Catholic Bioethics Center, 2016. (https://www.ncbcenter.org/free-scribd-texts/new-charter-for-health-care-workers)
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 6th ed. 2018 (https://www.usccb.org/about/doctrine/ethical-and-religious-directives/upload/ethical-religious-directives-catholic-health-service-sixth-edition-2016-06.pdf)
