The annual Henry K. Beecher Prize in Medical Ethics celebrates Dr. Beecher's legacy of critical ethical analysis of contemporary medical issues. The Beecher Prize Selection Committee members agreed that these papers deserved recognition for the ways they exemplify the spirit of Beecher's work.
Ian Stevens, MA, is a research assistant at the Oregon Health & Science University's Human Electrophysiology Lab and graduate student at the Harvard Medical School's Center for Bioethics. He received his MA in philosophy from the University of Tasmania in Australia. His prior publications have focused on the ethical examination of developing neurotechnologies, particularly deep-brain stimulation devices. While at Harvard, he is interested in exploring the topics of clinical and research neuroethics as they apply to the field of pediatric neurosurgery.
Read Ian's essay: "The Ethical Nuances of Neurosurgical Innovation from the Perspective of Novel Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation Devices"
Jessica Marengo, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She earned both her BS in Rehabilitation Science and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University, where she has since worked as a lab instructor and teaching assistant. Jessica is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. She has presented nationally at the American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Sections Meeting. Her clinical practice is centered around critical care rehabilitation including treating patients following heart and lung transplantation. These clinical scenarios have informed her interest in bioethics education.
Read Jessica's essay: "Mandated Insurance Coverage of Assisted Reproduction for LGBTQ Individuals: A Quest for Reproductive Equity"