About Us
The Center for Practical Bioethics is a nonprofit, free-standing and independent organization nationally recognized for its work in practical bioethics. Since 1984, the Center has helped patients and their families, healthcare professionals, policymakers and corporate leaders grapple with ethically complex issues in medicine and research.
The Center does not wait to be called upon. Its vision and mission requires the Center to be proactive -- to call attention to ethical issues and to develop programs, policies and publications that address them.
Through its unique methodology, the Center puts "practical bioethics" into action. The results? Reasoned, real world responses to ethically complex situations and, ultimately, the greatest peace of mind possible for those who must decide.
The Center does it work through four domains, with a staff of talented people representing multiple disciplines and a variety of expertise. The Center is supported by a Board of Directors and individuals and organizations committed to advancing ethical practices and policies on health and healthcare issues.
The Center is the home for the John B. Francis Chair for Bioethics, designed to significantly advance the Center’s vision and mission and to honor the legacy of John B. Francis.
Center Videos
Flanigan Lecture 2008: Sister Rosemary Flanigan
You Tube Video
6 minutes 38 seconds
August 5, 2008
The 2008 Flanigan Lecture represented the 14th event honoring Sister Rosemary Flanigan. This interview with the lecture namesake, Sister Rosemary Flanigan, describes the history of the lecture and what people have learned.
Flanigan Lecture 2008: Why healthcare reform comes so hard
You Tube Video
8 minutes 53 seconds
August 5, 2008
Health care reform comes hard because we didn't get to where we are by accident. That's according to Steven Schroeder, MD, Distinguished Professor of Health and Health Care at the University of California - San Francisco and former president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Dr. Schroeder spoke before more than 200 people at the 14th Annual Flanigan Lecture on July 31.
The Center and Hospital Ethics Committees
YouTube Video
6 minutes 56 seconds
July 3, 2008
The Center for Practical Bioethics has developed and trained hospital ethics committees for more than 20 years. This video provides the history and the model that has been very successful in addressing difficult choices in our medical institutions.
The Center and Advance Directives
YouTube Video
7 minutes 30 seconds
June 26, 2008
The Center’s role in developing advance directives and promoting their use nationwide is noted in this video. It was presented at the Center’s annual dinner April 16. Our thanks to the Local Investment Commission (LINC) in Kansas City for their assistance.
