Center for Bioethics director Rebecca Brendel, MD, JD visited three different countries this summer to advance scholarship on global perspectives in bioethics, explore the ethics of research and technology innovations, and to support and promote clinical ethics capacity-building. The trip featured presentations, panel discussions, and workshops co-facilitated by Master of Science in Bioethics (MBE) graduates and Fellowship alumni in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Dr. Brendel’s 10-day journey began at the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed) for their Enrichment Year Gala Day, a celebration with former and future intercalation year students. Over the past five years, HKUMed and the Master of Science in Bioethics program have worked together to bring HKUMed students to study in Boston during a fifth year of study during medical school. Participants in the Enrichment Year Gala Day shared their experiences of studying overseas, highlighting the enduring relationships that bind our global bioethics community. Following the Enrichment Day programming, Brendel joined the HKU Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit for a panel discussion on ethics, AI, and medicine invited by Professor Julie Yun Chen and organized by Professor Carl Hildebrand. Professor Chen is the director of the Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit and an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, and the Bau Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education. Professor Hildebrand is an associate professor researching at the intersection of ethics, moral psychology, and the history of philosophy. Brendel and Hildebrand authored a new opinion contribution in the South China Morning Post, “How Hong Kong can lead in patient-focused ethical AI healthcare.” They discussed AI’s potential to improve diagnosis and efficiency, while emphasizing the need to preserve vital human elements such as empathy and trust.
The collaboration continued at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Centre for Bioethics with its co-directors Dr. Ann Sin Nga Lau and MBE alum Prof. Roger Yat-nork Chung for a “Joint International Symposium on Global Bioethics: Engaging Asian and Western Perspectives.” Many of the presenters were MBE alumni. Dr. Reina Ozeki-Hayashi discussed pluralism, cross-cultural care, and technology-driven challenges in bioethics research. The panel that followed focused on global bioethics in practice, specifically personal values, medical paternalism, and cultural diversity in healthcare. MBE alum Gerald Lee evolved the concept of ‘kindfulness,’ a fusion of kindness and mindfulness, and the power of compassion in his work. Lee reflected on his presentation, saying, “I am grateful to [Brendel and Chung] for kindly allowing me to share some lessons inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. These lessons are based on my experience as a hospital chaplain, where I have had the privilege of caring for patients nearing the end of their lives.”
MBE Alum and Malaysian clinical ethics leader Dr. Hui Siu Tan highlighted cultural aspects of care in Malaysia and her vision to move beyond medical paternalism to person-centered dialogues. Dr. Derrick Au, during a discussion on Confucianism in healthcare, cautioned against narrow views on cultural sensitivity and promoted a more contemporary approach that considers each person’s unique mix of beliefs.
The symposium concluded with Brendel, Lau, and Chung, on behalf of their centers, signing a Certificate of Cooperation to commemorate their ongoing collaboration. “I’m more and more convinced that bioethics and humanities thrive when ideas flow across disciplines, backgrounds, and cultures. I’m grateful to all the speakers, all the fabulous staff at the Centre, and Becca for the support, trust, and friendship,” said Chung following the signing ceremony. Tan shared his sentiment, saying, “I felt so alive and energized with every moment and connection we made together.” Additional attendees included MBE alums Drs. Ardita Pramudani and Hajung Lee, the Center’s first ever applicant to the master’s program in 2015.
Dr. Brendel’s next stop was in Kuala Lumpur with the Harvard Club of Malaysia and the International Medical University (IMU). Led by Dr. Tan and Fellowship in Bioethics alum Dr. Erwin J. Khoo, the group explored health equity, policy and sustainability, and the evolution of Malaysia’s healthcare system. Dr. SK Khor moderated robust debates. The following day, Brendel and the group of Asian HMS Center alums contributed to a clinical ethics course sponsored by the Malaysia Academy of Medicine and Academy of Family Physicians of Malysia. Contributions of the HMS team included presentations on social determinants of health and advocacy by Chung, the concept of Pancasila and its relevance to bioethics in Indonesia by MBE Alum Ardita Pramudani, an Indonesian physician, and the concept of ‘shinmi’ in ALS patients presented by Hayashi. Dr. Brendel spoke on multiple topics including decisional capacity and reproductive ethics and joined with others in leading case-based small group seminar discussions.
Next, the group moved on to Indonesia, where the first stop was in Semarang, Indonesia. Dr. Pramudani and colleagues at Universitas Diponegoro hosted two days of intensive programming on clinical ethics beginning with theory and clinical ethics practice and extending to broad-ranging consideration of contemporary challenges such as healthcare workforce wellness and cultural pluralism. MBE Alums were again in full force with Roger Chung, Tan Hui Siu, Hajung Lee, and Rennie Burke joining Dr. Brendel. The HMS Bioethics team also participated in a networking dinner and roundtable on psychiatric ethics with the faculty and residents from the University. The Semarang conference concluded with workshops on teaching and leading clinical ethics teams in practice, allowing for reflections on the diverse perspectives expressed throughout the discussion groups. “There is so much to be grateful for, so much more to learn together, and this reminds me why global bioethics dialogue matters so deeply,” said Pramudani.
The Center’s journey through Yogyakarta included a stop at Borobudur—the world’s largest Buddhist temple—before launching into more programming. In collaboration with the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Akar Foundation, the group participated in an evening program examining how the Indonesian healthcare system can advance ethical care, human dignity and health. Leaders from the Ministry of Health highlighted unique challenges and approaches to advance health and healthcare while participants from the HMS group provided cultural touchpoints and lenses from neighboring Asian countries.
The final day of the trip began with a visit to Sardgito Hospital’s new psychiatry unit, welcomed by Dr. Ronny Tri Wirasto and an educational tour with psychiatry residents and faculty. Dr. Brendel next presented a special lecture on trends and lessons learned in implementing public mental health in the US as illustrative of the commitment and partnerships necessary to achieve community-based, accessible and affordable high-quality care. Over lunch and discussion, Dr. Brendel and team reunited with long-standing ethics partners at UGM, including Drs. Srisupar Yati Soenarto and Siwi Padmawati. The group reaffirmed their commitments to education, population health, and medical ethics together.
On behalf of the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, we extend gratitude to all our hosts, alumni, and institutional partners who made this journey possible and who continue to advance the values we hold dear. We are excited to co-host more capacity-building and exploratory sessions soon, expanding to other regions in Asia such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea and beyond. Stay tuned for more posts about the HMS Center for Bioethics on the move, fostering collaboration and scholarship, advancing bioethics practice, and promoting values-driven impact globally.
