University of Wisconsin–Madison
image of book covers repeated

Department of Medical History and Bioethics

Medical History


Founded in 1950 as the nation’s second department of its kind, the Department of Medical History and Bioethics has grown into a distinctive home for humanistic inquiry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Our program in Medical Ethics, established in 1973, has evolved alongside the field of bioethics and remains central to our mission.

Situated within the School of Medicine and Public Health and affiliated with departments across the College of Letters and Sciences, our faculty are scholars, educators, and practitioners who teach at every level — from undergraduates and graduate students to medical students, residents, and fellows. Our work extends across books, journals, film, and research that engages pressing questions at the intersection of medicine, history, and ethics.

Bioethics


The University of Wisconsin established Bioethics as one of the first interdisciplinary programs of its kind in a school of medicine. Drawing from medicine, law, philosophy, and anthropology, our faculty have helped shape bioethics debates at the national and international levels — contributing to conversations on stem cell research, reproductive medicine, health disparities, public health ethics, biotechnology, and more.

The Path of Distinction in Bioethics (POD-B) recognizes MD students who demonstrate significant achievement in bioethics through focused coursework, clinical ethics observation, and original scholarship. It is designed to build a foundation for a career grounded in ethical practice and inquiry.

Discover our Three Pillars: Teaching, Research, and Service

An audience member raises their hand to ask a question of an educator.

Educating Across a Lifetime

At the intersection of history, ethics, and medicine, the Department of Medical History and Bioethics prepares students to think critically about the human dimensions of health care. From undergraduate seminars and graduate study to health sciences and medical education, our faculty bring rigorous scholarship and real-world perspective to learners at every stage — equipping future physicians, researchers, and public health professionals at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to build meaningful careers and contribute to a more just and humane future for medicine and society.

Photo by Robert Streiffer

Scholarship Without Borders

Our faculty are nationally recognized scholars whose work shapes how we understand medicine’s past and navigate its ethical future. Through published books, peer-reviewed journals, documentary film, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the University, MHB’s research informs policy, practice, and public discourse. From the ethics of artificial intelligence and digital health to climate change, biotechnology, surgical ethics, and the cultural dimensions of global health, our faculty bring diverse and deep expertise to the most pressing questions at the intersection of medicine and society.

A shadow of Bucky Badger shines onto the sidewalk in Alumni Park at the University of Wisconsin-Madison during a cool autumn night on Sept. 18, 2023. Backlight in the background are iconic, cutout graphics in rusted steel of the park’s Badger Pride Wall. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

Living the Wisconsin Idea

True to the founding principle that the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state, MHB is deeply committed to service. Our faculty contribute expertise to ethics committees, university governance, community organizations, and public institutions — extending the impact of UW–Madison far beyond campus. MHB faculty bring a rare combination of historical perspective, philosophical rigor, and bioethical expertise directly to the classroom and clinics — offering guidance that no other discipline is uniquely positioned to provide at the moments that matter most.

Latest from MHB

News

Connect with Medical History & Bioethics

The questions that define medicine — who gets care, how it is given, and what it means to heal — have always been shaped by history and ethics. At MHB, we are here to help you explore them. Whether you are a student, scholar, clinician, or curious mind, there is a place for you in our community.