Certificate Program

Erwin Jiayuan Khoo, MBBS, FRCPCH, FAMM (Class of 2016), Associate Professor & Head, Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, IMU University (IMU), Malaysia

• When I arrived in Kansas City, I had clinical experience but lacked the ethical framework to translate good intentions into effective action. The program (and its readings) gave me a practical, case-based methodology that I could adapt and apply. I returned to Malaysia and, within months, began introducing clinical ethics consultation services using the very tools and templates I had learned at Children's Mercy. While I later pursued advanced fellowship training at Harvard, that was only possible because this program first gave me the competence and confidence to build upon. As an international graduate, I valued how the program respected cultural differences while upholding universal principles, empowering me to lead national pediatric bioethics initiatives across Malaysia. That foundation continues to shape every declaration I draft, every policy I help write, and every trainee I mentor.

Sarosh Saleem MBBS, MBeth, FPB, PhD (Class of 2017), Associate Professor & Head, Bioethics Department, Director, Diploma in Healthcare Ethics & Professionalism (DHEP), Chair, Hospital Ethics Committee-Shalamar Hospital, Affiliate, CHHASSEM, University of Michigan, Head, Bioethics Unit, Int'l Chair in Bioethics/WMA Cooperation Center, Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan

• The Pediatric Bioethics Certificate Course at Children's Mercy was a formative part of my Pediatric Bioethics Fellowship and had a lasting impact on my development as a clinical ethicist. The course strengthened my understanding of the ethical complexities unique to pediatric practice and provided a framework for approaching ethics consultation with analytical depth, humility, and compassion. The rich discussions with an interdisciplinary and internationally diverse cohort, whose perspectives challenged my assumptions and broadened my understanding of how culture, values, and context shape ethical decision-making, were equally valuable. The faculty created an intellectually stimulating and collegial learning environment that encouraged thoughtful and respectful discussion. The knowledge and skills I gained have directly influenced my clinical ethics consultations, teaching, and research, and continue to shape how I support healthcare teams and families facing complex ethical decisions involving children.

Katie Behringer, MSN, RNC-NIC, CBC, NPD-BC (Class of 2023), Neonatal Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Department of Medical Ethics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

• Attending the Children’s Mercy Certificate Program in Pediatric Bioethics was an essential part of my personal growth and development as a nursing ethics leader. I have always had an interest and inclination towards ethics, and the program gave me the opportunity to explore ethical frameworks deeper, increasing my confidence and understanding of pediatric bioethics. Dedicated time to connect with incredible mentors with whom I shared a similar career path gave me the courage and motivation I needed to spearhead ethics programming within my own institution. The program offers not only a foundation in pediatric bioethics, but also a community of learners and mentors with whom you can stay connected and continue to grow together. My participation in the program, continued relationships and support afforded to graduates of the program are all essential to my career journey as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist supporting nursing ethics.

Vanessa Madrigal, MD MSCE HEC-C FAAP (Class of 2019), Director Pediatric Ethics Program, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Children’s National Hospital

• I attended the Children’s Mercy certificate program and Pediatric Bioethics at an important crossroads in my professional career. I had previously completed a masters with a concentration in Bioethics, but I had very little practical Clinical Ethics experience. When an opportunity for an Ethics leadership position at my hospital presented itself, I knew I needed more training. I would need additional education specifically in Pediatric Bioethics and practical help on the journey in becoming an independent clinical ethicist.
  
  I looked no further than the Children’s Mercy Program that offered flexibility in both maintaining my full-time clinical and faculty position and tremendous strengths in the areas I needed help in most. I found a targeted and helpful educational experience, wonderful (national and international) connections to leaders and learners in Pediatric Bioethics with many opportunities for future collaborations. Since completing the program, I have been able to integrate my learning, I became HEC-C certified and have been able to build on my collaborations and contribute to the literature in Pediatric Bioethics. The Program at Children's Mercy gave me the skills and confidence that I needed to be an effective and insightful leader in my organization and contribute to the national conversation. Since graduating I have recommended at least 1-2 mentees almost every year due to my recognition in the value of the program, the education it gives, the connections it creates and the doors that it opens.

Terri Major-Kincade, MD, MPH (Class of 2020), Associate Professor and Medical Director, Chronic and Palliative Services, UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School, Certificate Program in Pediatric Bioethics, 2019–2020

• Participating in the Children's Mercy Certificate Program in Pediatric Bioethics was the single most transformative experience of my professional career. After more than 20 years as a neonatologist, I enrolled at the encouragement of my mentor, Dr. Brian Carter, hoping to deepen my understanding of ethical decision-making in the NICU — and gained far more than I expected. Learning alongside physicians, nurses, administrators, researchers, clinicians, students, child life specialists, therapists, social workers, chaplains, geneticists, counselors, and pathologists from across the globe challenged my assumptions and expanded my worldview well beyond my day-to-day practice. The program reignited my passion for narrative medicine and, after I completed my project on moral distress at the end of life in the NICU, inspired me to pursue fellowship training in pediatric palliative care. The relationships I built have endured, and the lessons continue to shape my clinical practice, scholarship, and teaching. I am deeply grateful to be part of the Children's Mercy Pediatric Bioethics family and recommend the program enthusiastically to anyone seeking to grow both professionally and personally.