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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities

McGaw Bioethics Clinical Scholars Program

Our program offers Northwestern University’s McGaw Graduate Medical trainees (residents and fellows) a two-year scholars program that provides advanced training in the theory of bioethics and its application to clinical medicine.

The McGaw Bioethics Scholars Program is a two-year program and is co-sponsored by the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities and McGaw Medical Center. Eligible trainees must complete the following curricular components:

  • Attend 10 Core Didactics/Workshops
  • Attend 12 Specialty Didactics/Workshops
  • Complete Asynchronous Learning
  • Participate in Practical Experience
  • Develop a Portfolio of Completed Works
  • Develop a scholarly project

These curricular components have been created to promote the ACGME health competencies across all 6 subcompetencies:

  • Patient care
  • Medical knowledge
  • Practice based learning and improvement
  • System based practice, professionalism
  • Interpersonal skills and communications
  • Professionalism

The program components are based on a needs assessment performed by the program leadership and are subject to change based on feedback from participants and mentors.

Program Objectives

  • Understand the moral, philosophical, and historical basis of bioethics
  • Understand the basic principles of bioethics
  • Identify ethical features of a clinical encounter and develop critical skills necessary to evaluate ethical claims
  • Address ethical challenges and conflicts through defending a particular position on an ethical issue
  • Develop awareness of ethical issues that may occur across subspecialties
  • Develop a scholarly product that allows the learner to increase their understanding of the ethical challenges in their own subspecialty

Apply to Join

Applications closed August 2, 2026.
 
Non-McGaw trainees, please instead consider the Northwestern Clinical Bioethics Scholars Program.

Important Dates (2026)

  • Information sessions for McGaw residents and fellows (two options, both via Zoom, please see email from Nancy Parlapiano for link or email Myria Knox if you didn't receive it)
    • Tuesday, June 16, 5-6pm
    • Monday, July 13, 5-6pm
  • Applications open: July 6
  • Applications close: August 2
  • Decisions communicated: Mid/late August
  • Orientation: Wednesday, August 26, 6-7pm, via Zoom 
  • First seminar session: Wednesday, September 9, 6-8pm, in person