The Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine maintains ties with organizations and institutions that have an interest in medical humanities, biomedical ethics, and biomedical philosophy.

We collaborate with universities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to host symposia and conferences on topics such as the future of medicine and health care, genetic enhancement and human evolution, and ethical decision making.

We also are part of the Conference of the Professions, and we provide Ethics Resources for learning more.

Medical Humanities Interest Group

The Medical Humanities Interest Group (MHIG) was founded in 2000 to promote student enjoyment of the humanities and to stimulate meaningful exploration of the humanities' contribution to medicine. The humanities encompass a broad variety of disciplines, including philosophy, literature, the visual and performing arts, ethics, history, and religion. MHIG is by no means just for experts: it is for all students who, in addition to their interest in becoming competent physicians, enjoy discussing the broader questions of the human condition.

MHIG also manages the yearly publication of Scope, UT Southwestern's Arts and Humanities Journal. Scope is an online literary magazine featuring writing and art created by the students, faculty, and staff of UT Southwestern. The magazine serves as a vehicle for the sharing and communication of experiences in medicine, from patient care to medical research, through an artistic lens. Scope seeks quality works and encourages creativity and an atmosphere of openness.

The Nancy J. Solana Lecture in Medical Humanities

In 2017, a generous gift from an anonymous donor endowed the Nancy J. Solana Lecture in Medical Humanities at UT Southwestern Medical School. The lectureship honors the life and work of Nancy J. Solana, a Dallas philanthropist known for her efforts to improve health and human services in the region. Since 2019, the Solana Lecture has been the capstone presentation for the 4th year course “Physicians and Society” each March. Its goal is to highlight the principles of humanistic medicine: open communication, mutual respect, and emotional connection between physicians and their patients. It also aims to foster appreciation of how the medical humanities – literature, history, art, and music – support humanistic medicine.

A committee of UT Southwestern Medical School faculty, students, and staff select the annual Solana Lecturer from locally, regionally, and nationally renowned educators in medical humanities.

Past lecturers:

• 2025 – Salvatore Mangione, M.D.
• 2024 – Kimberly Manning, M.D.
• 2023 – Ellen Langher, Ph.D.
• 2022 – John Harper, M.D.
• 2021 – Megha Shankar, M.D.
• 2020 – Jay Baruch, M.D.
• 2019 – Wendy Harpham, M.D.