Pediatric Ethics

Guest Speakers: Evan Thornburg, MAUB is a bioethicist in the City of Philadelphia's Department of Public Health, who brings their expertise in misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories as a threat to public health. Their popular TikTok account, EVN the (Bio)ethicist, addresses these concepts in the context of trends in both legacy and social media. Nicole Dudukovic, PhD is Teaching Professor of Neuroscience and Director of the Neuroscience Major at University of Oregon. Professor Dudukovic teaches a popular class exploring misinformation from an interdisciplinary, liberal arts perspective. Jennifer Kett, MD, MA is an Associate Professor in the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics at the University of Washington and is the Head of the Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care in the Department of Pediatrics.

PEAG Panel: Mistrust & Distrust in Clinical Ethics

Trust is central to the pediatrician--patient--family relationship, yet it is fragile.
Historical injustices, systemic racism, clinician bias, prior negative encounters, and the growing influence of misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and societal anti-intellectualism all erode trust. The declining trust in expertise further shapes whether families disclose information, accept care, or engage in decision making. This distrust undermines ethical commitments to children’s best interests, particularly in high-stakes or end-of-life care.
Our 2025 PEAG panel will explore how interpersonal, structural, and epistemic distrust manifest in pediatric ethics consultations and what clinicians can do to respond. Joined by relevant experts in clinical bioethics, public health ethics, and neuroscience, we will explore how to better understand mistrust and distrust. We will consider how this information may influence utilization of trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and shared decision making as strategies to foster respect and transparency.
By acknowledging histories of harm, countering false narratives, and partnering authentically with families, pediatric bioethics can move beyond mistrust and distrust toward more equitable and trustworthy care.
Jenny Kingsley and Alyssa Burgart will moderate a discussion with these experts and you -- our affinity group membership -- about how mistrust and distrust show up in the course of clinical ethics consultation and how we can help re-establish trust in the pediatric healthcare setting.