Our Faculty: Cross Campus Collaborators
Faculty in the Department of Medical History and Bioethics teach across the full spectrum of the university, reaching medical students, health professions trainees, undergraduates, and graduate students. Their courses appear in curricula across the School of Medicine and Public Health and several other colleges, as well as professional programs in nursing, pharmacy, and public health. From introductory humanities surveys to advanced seminars and clinical ethics training, MHB faculty meet learners at every stage of their academic and professional formation.
View our Courses: Past and Present
Explore our current course offerings alongside our historical course catalog, reflecting the breadth and evolution of Medical History and Bioethics instruction at UW–Madison. Our courses span the humanities, social sciences, and health professions, engaging students with the historical, ethical, and social dimensions of medicine, science, and technology. Whether you are pursuing a degree, fulfilling a requirement, or deepening your expertise, MHB offers rigorous and relevant instruction at every level.
Path of Distinction in Bioethics
The Path of Distinction in Bioethics (POD-B) awards distinction at graduation for SMPH students in the MD program who complete requirements demonstrating significant achievement in bioethics. The POD-B program provides students with opportunities for focused electives and selectives, clinical ethics observation, bioethics scholarship, and participation in a vibrant bioethics learning community. It serves as a foundation for service and research in ethics in one’s medical career.
History of Science, Medicine, & Tech
One of the largest and oldest academic programs of its kind in the United States, History of Science, Medicine, and Technology (HSMT) draws together faculty members in History and in Medical History & Bioethics. Collectively, we offer broad coverage of the field, with expertise that spans Europe, the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean, stretches from the Middle Ages to the recent past, and ranges across the physical, biological, and social sciences to medicine and technology.
Students with doctoral training in one of the health professions may earn an M.A. in History of Medicine, or a combined M.D./Ph.D. through the School of Medicine & Public Health’s Medical Scientist Training Program.
Health and the Humanities, Certificate
The humanities are about the human experience, and this certificate will give you exposure to a range of historical, cultural, and philosophical reasons why people make decisions about their health care. Everyone who comes in contact with the health care system, from health care providers to patients, needs to understand more than just the biological aspects of medicine in order to support health and wellness.
The Health Humanities Certificate prepares students to critically examine medicine, health, and illness across history, culture, and society. Explore the full program and learning outcomes at the UW–Madison Course Catalog.
Beyond the Classroom
Teaching happens everywhere. Faculty and students in Medical History and Bioethics engage with communities, institutions, and public audiences well beyond the lecture hall — from clinical settings and research partnerships to public lectures, community events, and interdisciplinary collaborations across UW–Madison and beyond.
Collective for Humanism, Arts, and Storytelling in Medicine
We exist to champion the transformational power of arts-based practices for the medical community. By infusing humanistic values into medical training and discourse, we strive to be a force for equity, kindness, connection, critical thinking, and justice.
Bioethics Symposium
The annual Bioethics Symposium brings in eminent scholars to explore topics at the intersection of medicine, public health, and ethics. Over more than 15 years, symposia have ranged from valuing health and addressing inequality UW-Madison to building an anti-racist bioethics SMPH Intranet to the promise and perils of AI in health care Badger Herald — and most recently, the neuroethics of deep-brain stimulation explored through staged theater.
HSMT Brown Bag Series
The HSMT Brown Bag meets every Friday during the semester from noon to 1 pm in the Curti Lounge. This is our signature community gathering. Over self-provided lunch, program faculty, graduate students, and friends of the history of science, medicine, and technology meet to discuss work in progress, practice conference talks, learn from other HSMT-interested folk on campus about their work, and consider current issues. See HSMT Brown Bag on the History Department Events Calendar for details.
School of Medicine and Public Health
The School of Medicine and Public Health brings together world-class researchers, educators, and clinicians to advance health and well-being across Wisconsin and beyond. From cutting-edge medical research and public health initiatives to community outreach programs and educational events, SMPH is a hub of innovation and discovery. Whether hosting public lectures, health screenings, or interdisciplinary conferences, the school is committed to improving lives through science, education, and community engagement.
Be Part of the Conversation
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 dedicated to helping students, scholars, and clinicians explore them. Your support makes it possible to fund student research, host public events, and sustain a community where these vital conversations can thrive.