Ethics Grand Rounds: “Professional Ethics in OB/GYN Care in the Post-Dobbs Era”

About the Spearker: Nadia N. Sawicki, JD is Beazley Chair in Health Law and Georgia Reithal Professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Prof. Sawicki’s research addresses issues at the intersection of torts, health law, and bioethics, including issues related to informed consent, health care conscience laws, reproductive justice, end-of-life care, and professional licensure and discipline. In 2020, Prof. Sawiki was elected as a member of the American Law Institute. She has previously served as a member of the American Bar Association’s Special Committee on Bioethics and the Law, and co-chair of the American Society for Bioethics and the Humanities’ Law Affinity Group.

Talk Description: The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization abandoning federal constitutional protection for abortion will have far-reaching implications for many aspects of healthcare, especially in the context of reproductive health. In this presentation, I will demonstrate that Dobbs will dramatically limit pregnant patient’s rights to direct the course of their medical care. Because there will be fewer legal protections for patient autonomy after Dobbs, it will fall to the health care profession to establish clear ethical standards and professional guidance affirming the duty to respect the right of medical self-determination during pregnancy.

Please join us! There will be plenty of time for questions afterwards!

Website link: http://www.amc.edu/bioethics