2025 Plenaries and Other Featured Programming
Plenary Sessions
Making the Case for Health Equity: Ethical Imperatives and Practical Strategies
Dr. Jerome Adams, MD MPH FASA in conversation with Dr. Christine Grady, PhD MSN
Thursday, October 23, 11:45 AM–1 PM Pacific Time
Health equity is not just a goal—it is a moral and ethical obligation. This presentation explores the ethical foundations of health equity, the structural barriers that perpetuate disparities, and the role of bioethics and the humanities in addressing these challenges. We will examine real-world examples of inequities in healthcare access and outcomes, highlighting evidence-based strategies to advance equity at individual, institutional, and policy levels. Through a multidisciplinary lens, attendees will engage in a critical discussion on how to translate ethical principles into meaningful action.
Why ASBH25? As the Surgeon General from 2017-2021, Dr. Jerome Adams advocated for health equity while guiding the nation through an unprecedented global pandemic, and since 2021, Dr. Adams has served as the first Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Indiana University, advancing his idea that the best public health policies are the ones that “begin at home.” As an independent, Dr. Adams believes these bottom-up, community-driven approaches can reduce division and recenter public health as a common and universal goal–and help to prepare our nation for future public health challenges. Through their shared experiences managing healthcare at the highest levels of the federal government, Dr. Grady and Dr. Adams will discuss the complexities of advancing health equity and managing competing priorities.
Confessions of a Long-Term Lab Rat
Ms. Mary Elizabeth Williams
Saturday, October 25, 10:45–Noon Pacific Time
Follow-Up Discussion Session: Saturday, October 25, 12:15–1:15 PM Pacific Time
After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2011, journalist Mary Elizabeth Williams signed up for a phase 1 clinical trial before she even fully understood what one was. Now cancer-free but a permanent research subject, she’s seen the landscape of research and treatment shift dramatically over the years — for better and worse. In this candid and personal conversation, Williams will reveal why her revolutionary clinical trial would not have been the groundbreaking triumph it became without the compassion at its heart, and explore the troubling new obstacles to patient protection, the sticky ethical questions that arise from partisanship and progress, and why, in the age of AI, healthcare needs a human touch more than ever.
Why ASBH25? As political tensions heighten and new technologies reshape the landscape of healthcare, it is critical to remember the human experiences at the center of our work in bioethics and health humanities. Ms. Williams's moving story showcases the power of narrative medicine, putting the patient perspective first and reminding us of our mission to promote more just, compassionate healthcare for all.
Featured Programming
Featured Panels
These featured panels will offer experts the chance to discuss the latest updates in the political landscape and offer their perspectives on the path forward.
Funding and Other Challenges to Higher Education
Rebecca Brendel, MD JD; Bernice Hausman, PhD; and Sandro Soo-Jin Lee, PhD
Thursday, October 23, 10:30–11:30 AM PT
Vaccines and Public Health
Kathy Kinlaw, MDiv HEC-C; Douglas Opel, MD MPH; and Jason Schwartz, PhD
Friday, October 24, 3:45–4:45 PM PT
Collaborative Planning and Response (CPR) Groups*
Both CPR groups will meet on Saturday, October 23, at 2:30–3:30 PM PT. Each group will serve as a space for members and attendees to:
- Explore Current Issues:Identify and develop a shared understanding of how recent government actions challenge existing work in the US and world-wide.
- Generate Potential Responses:Brainstorm potential responses from the bioethics and health humanities community to address the issues identified.
- Plan for Action:Develop plans to prioritize and follow-up on responses for addressing the issues identified.
Challenges to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Moderated by Karen Meagher, PhD and Jason Schwartz, PhD
Threats to Research
Moderated by Jake Earl, PhD HEC-C and Mildred Cho, PhD
This group will start its work virtually in advance of the conference. Members are invited to sign up here to join the conversation on Thursday, September 11 at 2–3 PM over Zoom.