The Daniel W. Foster, M.D., Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics
The annual Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics, established in 2007 to honor Dr. Foster, brings distinguished medical ethics scholars to the UT Southwestern campus to present and discuss the challenging moral issues in biomedicine. These lectures offer opportunities for faculty, staff and trainees to engage and reflect on current medical ethics issues.
Dr. Foster served as UT Southwestern Chair of Internal Medicine from 1987 to 2003. He also left an indelible mark on the ethics community, serving as a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics, appointed by President George W. Bush.
The Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics
Allan M. Brandt, Ph.D., who is the Amalie Moses Kass Professor of the History of Medicine in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University, delivered the Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 12:00-1:00 p.m. He presented “The Historical Relationship of Medicine and Public Health: Friends? Enemies? Frenemies?”
Details about the 2026 Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Visiting Lectureship in Medical Ethics will be forthcoming.
Past Lecturers and Presentations
2025 (December): Allan M. Brandt, Ph.D.
The Historical Relationship of Medicine and Public Health: Friends? Enemies? Frenemies?
2025 (February): Amy L. McGuire, J.D., Ph.D.
Are We Ready for Psychedelic Medicine?
2023: Nancy S. Jecker, Ph.D.
2022: Sandro Galea, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H.
An Argument for a Liberal Public Health: Reflections on a Discipline in Flux after COVID-19
2021: Rosalyn W. Berne, Ph.D.
Race and Ethics in the Design of Biomedical Technologies: The Pulse Oximeter as a Case in Point
2020: Thomas H. Murray, Ph.D.
Good Sport and Good Doctoring: When Patients Want Enhancement, Not Therapy
2019: Nancy M.P. King, J.D.
Human Germline Editing: Science or Fiction
2018: Bernard Lo, M.D.
Maintaining Trustworthiness in NIH Public-Private Partnerships
2017: Patricia A. King, J.D.
Reflections on Race and Racism in Bioethics: Is There A Way Forward?
2016: Joseph J. Fins, M.D.
Disorders of Consciousness and Neuroethics: Why Rights Must Come to Mind
(Presentation video unavailable)
2015: Susan M. Wolf, J.D., Ph.D.
The Challenge of Precision Medicine: Ethical, Legal & Clinical Issues in Genomic Medicine
2014: Tom L. Beauchamp, Ph.D.
Moral Problems in the Research-Practice Distinction and in Oversight Systems to Protect Patients
2013: Nancy Berlinger, Ph.D., M.Div.
Avoiding Harm and Improving Care Near the End of Life: What Good Can Ethics Do?
2012: Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., J.D., M.P.H.
Politics and the Ethics of Health Care Reform
2011: Christine K. Cassel, M.D.
Professionalism, Bioethics, and a New Definition of Palliative Care
(Presentation video unavailable)
2010: Leon R. Kass, M.D., Ph.D.
Taking Care: Ethical Caregiving in Our Aging Society
(Presentation video unavailable)
2009: R. Alta Charo, J.D.
The Celestial Fire of Conscience: Is There a ‘Right’ to Refuse Medical Services?
(Presentation video unavailable)
2008: Ruth R. Faden, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Ethics of Health Care Reform
(Presentation video unavailable)
2007: Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D.
The Doctor's Ethics: What Has Changed, What Cannot Change
(Presentation video unavailable)