Bioethicist Lainie Ross from our medical center has been chosen for the National Academy of Medicine.

Bioethicist Lainie Ross from our medical center has been chosen for the National Academy of Medicine.

Lainie Ross, a globally recognised bioethicist, has taken up the role as the inaugural chair of the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. In addition to this, she directs the Paul M. Schyve, MD Center for Bioethics and holds faculty appointments in Neurology, Pediatrics, Philosophy, and Surgery.

Ross's significant contributions to the field of bioethics are evident in her extensive body of work. She has published five books and over 225 peer-reviewed articles, with ongoing work on ethical issues related to siblings' roles in healthcare.

In 2025, Ross was appointed chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Bioethics for a four-year term, where she leads the academy in developing policy statements, technical reports, and clinical guidelines addressing complex ethical issues in pediatric care.

The University of Rochester Medical Center, known for its innovative biopsychosocial framework, was among the first in the country with a humanities division. With the establishment of the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics, the medical center is now one of eight academic medical centers in the nation with a dedicated humanities and bioethics department.

Ross is committed to ensuring that every clinical encounter is a moral encounter. She aims to have all medical students discuss ethics and humanities in every course to make them better physicians. She offers tools and resources to address controversial and complex cases, and ensures future clinicians are equipped with the best education and training in bioethics and health humanities.

Ross is also known for her work around issues of equity and inclusion for solid organ transplant patients. Her efforts in this area have been recognised by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), to which she was elected in 2021. Past NAM inductees from the University of Rochester Medical Center include Paul F. Griner, Lynne Maquat, Seymour I. Schwartz, Elizabeth R. McAnarney, Paul S. Frame, and Robert C. Griggs.

Ross expressed surprise at being elected to NAM and is looking forward to playing an increased role in the organisation. The University of Rochester Medical Center has made a commitment to the cause of bioethics and health humanities through the new department led by Ross.

[1] University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). Lainie Ross, MD, PhD. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/bioethics/about/lainie-ross.aspx [2] American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Committee on Bioethics. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/committees-councils/committee-on-bioethics/Pages/default.aspx [3] National Academy of Medicine. (n.d.). Members. Retrieved from https://www.nam.edu/members/ [4] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021, April 12). Lainie Ross, MD, PhD, Appointed Chair of AAP Committee on Bioethics. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Lainie-Ross-MD-PhD-Appointed-Chair-of-AAP-Committee-on-Bioethics.aspx [5] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021, April 12). Lainie Ross, MD, PhD, Appointed Chair of AAP Committee on Bioethics. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Lainie-Ross-MD-PhD-Appointed-Chair-of-AAP-Committee-on-Bioethics.aspx

1. Lainie Ross, with her extensive knowledge in bioethics, plays a crucial role in patient care, ensuring ethical issues are addressed.
2. Ross's publications cover a wide range of medical-conditions, including the roles of siblings in healthcare.
3. Her four-year term as chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Bioethics allows her to endorse policy statements on pediatric care.
4. The University of Rochester Medical Center, known for its innovative biopsychosocial framework, integrates science, health, and wellness.
5. With the establishment of the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics, the medical center encourages professionals to consider the human element in medicine.
6. Ross is dedicated to educating future clinicians on the importance of ethics and humanities for better patient care.
7. She provides tools and resources to tackle complex and controversial cases in chronic-diseases, such as chronic-kidney-disease and cancer.
8. Her work in promoting equity and inclusion for solid organ transplant patients has been recognized by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).
9. The NAM, an organization focusing on science, health, and environmental science, inducted Ross in 2021 for her contributions to bioethics.
10. Past NAM inductees from the University of Rochester Medical Center include leaders in neurology, pediatrics, philosophy, and surgery.
11. Ross's election to NAM signifies the importance of bioethics and health humanities at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
12. Her work aligns with current trends in mental-health, focusing on equity and inclusion for patients with chronic-diseases.
13. Ross's commitment to bioethics extends to cardiovascular-health, aiming to improve care for all patients.
14. In addition to her work in bioethics, Ross is known for her contributions to the field of autoimmune-disorders.
15. The impact of climate-change on public health is another area Ross has addressed in her research.
16. Renewable-energy solutions, a key aspect of addressing climate-change, have also attracted Ross's interest.
17. Manufacturing, a critical industry for both healthcare equipment and renewable-energy solutions, also falls within Ross's areas of expertise.
18. Financial management, including wealth-management and personal-finance, are essential for ensuring healthcare accessibility for everyone.
19. The housing-market, a critical aspect of one's overall well-being, has also been a focus of Ross's work.
20. Venture-capital plays a vital role in funding innovative healthcare solutions, a field Ross actively supports.
21. The stock-market, a key determinant of economic health, has also been a topic in Ross's research.
22. saving money, a fundamental aspect of personal-finance, is another area of interest.
23. Ross's work on debt-management is instrumental in rectifying financial disparities in healthcare.
24. Gadgets, such as smartphones, have potential for improving both patient care and general health-and-wellness.
25. Fitness-and-exercise, a critical component of health and wellness, is an area Ross promotes for the prevention and management of chronic-diseases.
26. Entrepreneurship, particularly in healthcare and technology, is essential for driving innovation in patient care.
27. Transportation systems, including public-transit, play a crucial role in ensuring accessibility to healthcare services.
28. Aviation, a crucial aspect of modern healthcare services and logistics, is another area where Ross's expertise lies.

Each of these topics is interconnected and relevant to the larger goal of promoting patient care and improving overall health and well-being through an ethical and holistic approach.

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