1. To foster the character, intellect, and professionalism of the students.
2. To provide exposure to foundational issues in bioethics and professionalism.
3. To guide students as they integrate Jesuit values, such as social justice, with their bioethics and professionalism goals through development and completion of a capstone project.

Students who complete this program are recognized with departmental honors administered by the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics. The outstanding record of achievement of these students is recognized in the following manners:

1. Dean's letter recommending the student for residency.
2. A listing of the successful completion of the Honors program on the student's final transcript.
3. Recognition at graduation.

In January of the first year of medical school (M1), students interested in entering the Bioethics and Professionalism Honors Program submit their application. Students are assigned an advisor from the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics who will help guide them as they set goals for their capstone project and reflect on them.  To be and remain eligible for the Honors Program, a student must be in good academic standing and uphold professional standards in keeping with those of the Stritch School of Medicine and Loyola University Chicago. Good academic standing is generally construed to mean that a student has not failed a course during the first or second year of medical school or needed remediation in more than one clerkship. To earn honors at graduation, the student must complete all the required activities and assignments by the end of their M3 year.

1. Bioethics Boot Camp: Students must attend 7 foundational bioethics seminars during the Spring of their M1 year. Topics are likely to include principles of bioethics, informed consent and capacity, pediatric ethics, research ethics, end-of-life issues, Catholic social bioethics, and ethics consultation and committees.
2. Portfolio entries including goals and reflections each year. Goals should be formulated with an eye toward enhancing the student’s self-directed curriculum in bioethics and professionalism. The reflections help the student evaluate how they are progressing toward completing their capstone project and evolving as a future member of the medical profession. Reflections will be submitted at the end of the M2 and M3 years.
3. Literature Review:  Students will complete an annotated literature review of their capstone topic in their M2 year. 
4. Twenty-four (24) hours per year of activities related to bioethics and professionalism. (see list below). These service activities regularly provide ideas and a context for the development of a capstone project.

• Participation in activities of the Bioethics Interest Group (B.I.G.) or other specialty specific interest groups
• Participation in student mentoring programs
• Participation in multi-profession activities
• Participation in an International Service Immersion trip
• Participation in other service activities, e.g., Quinn Center, free clinic, volunteer work at the Community Health Center, Street Medicine, Center for Community& Global Health, etc.
• Students are encouraged to suggest activities to be included to Katherine Wasson, PhD, MPH, and their advisors.

5. Ethics Grand Rounds*: Student are required to attend four (4) Ethics Grand Rounds by the end of their third year. These are in addition to the SSOM requirement of four (4) Ethics Grand Rounds for all students. This means Bioethics and Professionalism Honors Program students must attend a total of eight (4+4) Ethics Grand Rounds sessions. (*New Requirements for the Class of 2027.)

6. Ethics Committee Meeting*: Students must attend one (1) Loyola University Medical Center Ethics Committee meeting. These meetings are typically held virtually on the third Thursday of each month from 1:00-2:00 PM. (Contact Robbin Hiller rhiller@luc.edu). (*New Requirements for the Class of 2027.)

7. Capstone Project: The goal of the capstone project is to develop a topic, issue, case or formative experience into a scholarly project.  There are four types of projects that fulfill the Capstone requirement: Empirical/Clinical, Service, Pedagogical/Educational and Conceptual.  The Capstone Projects must be completed and presented by the end of M3 for students to receive recognition in their Dean's letter for residency application.

• Capstone Proposal Class of 2024. Capstone Project Proposal must be submitted and approved by September of MS3 year.
  
• Capstone Descriptions 2023 (pdf file)