Nico Nortjé, Ph.D., M.A., MPhil, HEC-C
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
About Dr. Nico Nortje
I am the Executive Director of the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care, Associate Professor in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, and Director of Goal Concordant Care & End-of-Life at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
My research focus revolves around end-of-life issues, vulnerable communities, goals-of-care, communication skills acquisition, decision-making, and education. My experience working with members of vulnerable communities has highlighted their plight and even more so when considering end-of-life care.
I have been involved in various projects in Africa, Canada, and the United States of America. I have worked with various stakeholders to improve patient access to healthcare delivery and understanding. I am passionate about highlighting various approaches to issues, and also to implement communication strategies in dealing with challenging situations. As an ethicist I have extensive experience in Critical Care Ethics. I have co-edited a few books and book chapters and have an extensive list of peer-reviewed articles.
Other than these academic interests, I also believe that I have a moral obligation to help our next generation of healthcare providers integrate ethical thinking into their practice and enjoy engaging with students from all walks of life.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Executive Director of the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Director: Goals of Care & End-of-Life, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Faculty, Ariadne Labs, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Associate Faculty, Mercy Children's Hospital, Kansas, MO
Research Affiliate, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay
Professor Extraordinary, The University of the Western Cape, Belville
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, ZA, MPhil in Business (Futures Studies) |
| 2007 | University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, ZA, Ph.D. in Ethics |
| 2001 | University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, ZA, MA in Psychology |
| 1996 | University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, ZA, BSocSc Hons in Psychology |
| 1995 | University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, ZA, BSocSc in Psychology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2022 | Certificate, Pediatric Bioethics, Mercy Children's Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri |
| 2015-2015 | Certificate, Ethics Teacher Training, UNESCO, Johannesburg |
| 2008-2010 | Post Graduate Diploma, Medical Law, University of South Africa, Pretoria |
Board Certifications
| 2019 | Health Ethics Consultant |
Experience & Service
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Divisional Research Committee, 2024 - Present
Member, Institution's Suicide Risk Mitigation Committee, 2024 - Present
Member, Psychosocial Distress PFA Workgroup, 2024 - Present
Member, Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers - MDACC Committee, 2021 - Present
Member, COVID-19 Task Team, 2020 - 2022
Chair, Goals of Care Stakeholder Committee, 2020 - Present
Member, Communication Skills Development Committee, 2020 - Present
Members, Vaccination Committee MDACC, 2020 - 2021
Content Expert (Ethics), Clinical and Operational Leadership Team (COLT), 2019 - 2020
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Health Services Research Committee, 2018 - 2021
Member, Advance Care Planning Committee, 2018 - 2019
Associate Member, Institutional Review Board 4 (IRB4), 2018 - 2022
Member, Clinical Ethics Consultation Committee, 2017 - Present
Member, Psychosocial Council, 2017 - 2019
Honors & Awards
| 2023 - 2024 | Ariadne Labs 2023-2024 Associate Faculty, Harvard University |
| 2022 - 2024 | Associate Faculty, Mercy Children's Hospital, Kansas City |
| 2020 | US National Health Information Merit Award for End of Life Care booklet |
| 2019 - 2024 | Research Affiliate, Lakehead University |
| 2018 - 2023 | National Research Foundation Scholar Award (South Africa) |
| 2012 - 2023 | Appointment as Professor Extraordinaire, University of the Western Cape (South Africa) |
| 2011 - 2019 | Research Fellow, The University of the Free State (South Africa) |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Cherny, NI, Nortje, N, Kelly, R, Zimmermann, C, Jordan, K, Kreye, G, Le, NS, Adelson, K. A taxonomy of the factors contributing to the overtreatment of cancer patients at the end of life. What is the problem? Why does it happen? How can it be addressed?. ESMO Open 10(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39765188.
- Adaji, E, Johnson, M, George, MC, Nortje, N. Enhancing Oncologists’ Comfort with Serious Illness Conversations. Journal of Cancer Education 39(5):573-577, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38656462.
- Cruz Carreras, MT, Nortje, N, Thompson, E, Terrell, KN, Zhang, F, Rathi, N, George, MC, Haque, S. Improving Goal-Concordant Care in Intensive Care Unit Admissions from the Emergency Department in a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Journal of pain and symptom management 68(3):e161-e166, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38852827.
- Hui, D, Huang, YT, Andersen, C, Cassel, B, Nortje, N, George, MC, Bruera, E. Cost of Hospitalization Associated with Inpatient Goals-of-Care Program Implementation at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cancers 16(7), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38610994.
- Hawkins, HG, Nortje, N, Palmer, A. Culturally Informed Care: A Case Study on Solidarity, Cultural Humility, and Medical Ethics. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 7(2-3):189-191, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Dezort, S, Palmer, A, Nortje, N. “We Don't Want to Talk About It”. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 7(2-3):192-194, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Leung, CK, Andersen, C, Wilson, K, Nortje, N, George, MC, Flowers, CR, Bruera, E, Hui, D. The impact of a multidisciplinary goals-of-care program on unplanned readmission rates at a comprehensive cancer center. Supportive Care in Cancer 32(1), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38150077.
- Dezort S, Palmer A, Nortjé N. We don’t want to talk about it”—Building Trust for Difficult Decisions. Canadian Journal of Bioethics / Revue canadienne de bioéthique, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Nortjé, N., Palmer, A., Enck, G., Masciari, C.F., Neumann, J, Gallagher, C.M.. The Evolving Landscape of Ethics in Oncology: A Journey Through the Past, Present and Future. ASCO Education Book, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Reddy, AS, Baez Gonzales, J, Rizvi, A, Nortje, N, Dalal, S, Haider, A, Amaram-Davila, JS, Bramati, PS, Chen, M, Hui, D, Bruera, E. Impact of an Institution-Wide Goals of Care Program on the Timing of Referrals to Outpatient Palliative Care. Journal of pain and symptom management 66(6):e666-e671, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37643654.
- Muthu, M, Dalal, S, George, MC, Clavijo, CS, Lenz, CA, Nortje, N. The importance of facilitating goal-concordant care (GCC) in a pandemic. Supportive Care in Cancer 31(12), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37906311.
- Nortje, N, Zachariah, FJ, Reddy, AS. Advance Care Planning conversations. Zeitschrift fur Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualitat im Gesundheitswesen 180:8-15, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37438167.
- Patel, VR, Cwalina, TB, Gupta, A, Nortje, N, Mullangi, S, Parikh, RB, Shih, YT, Hussaini, SM. Oncologist Participation and Performance in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System. The Oncologist 28(4):E228-E232, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36847139.
- Zhukovsky, DS, Heung, YJ, Enriquez, PA, Itzep, NP, Lu, Z, Nortje, N, Stanton, P, Wong, AN, Bruera, E. Just-in-Time Decision Making: Preliminary Findings of a Goals of Care Rapid Response Team. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 65(4):e337-e343, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36496112.
- Hui, D, Ahmed, S, Nortje, N, George, MC, Andersen, C, Wilson, K, Urbauer, D, Flowers, CR, Bruera, E. Differential Impact of a Multicomponent Goals-of-Care Program in Patients with Hematologic and Solid Malignancies. Cancers 15(5), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36900298.
- Looijaard, RA, Nortje, N. To Have Done Everything. Indian journal of medical ethics 8(3):237-240, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36945854.
- Quinn, A, Palmer, A, Nortje, N. Decision-making at Life’s End. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 6(3-4):134-136, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Burns, A, Hardy, N, Nortje, N. Appreciating the Dynamicity of Values at the End of Life. Narrative inquiry in bioethics 12(2):177-181, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36373538.
- Patel VR, Gereta S, Blanton CJ, Chu AL, Patel AP, Mackert M, Zientek D, Nortjé N, Khurshid A, Moriates C, Wallingford G. Perceptions of Life Support and Advance Care Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Study of Twitter Users. Chest 161(6):1609-1619, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35077706.
- Choudhury D, Nortjé N. The Hidden Curriculum and Integrating Cure- and Care-based approaches to medicine. HEC Forum 34(1):41-53, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 32816176.
- Patel VR, Gereta S, Blanton CJ, Mackert M, Nortjé N, Moriates C. Shifting social media influences: Discussions about mechanical ventilation on Twitter during COVID-19. J Crit Care 67:191-192, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34627649.
- Nortjé N, Terrell KN. Continue with ICU care - She is a Spiritual Being. Indian J Med Ethics 7(2):138-141, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35765261.
- Nortje, M, Haque, S, Nortje, N. The Benefits of Informed Non-Dissent when Families have Difficulty Making a Decision. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 5(4):94-95, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Patel VR, Gereta S, Blanton CJ, Chu AL, Reddy NK, Mackert M, Nortjé N, Pignone MP. #ColonCancer: Social Media Discussions About Colorectal Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JCO Clin Cancer Inform 6:e2100180, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35025670.
- Nortje, N, Jones-Bonofiglio, K, Haque, S, Rathi, N. Operational framework for rural hospitals during a pandemic. International Journal of Healthcare Management 15(3):255-260, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Hardy, N, Nortje, N. Retaining Hope While Respecting Patients’ Presumed Wishes. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 5(1):143-145, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Jones-Bonofiglio K, Nortjé N, Webster L, Garros D. A Practical Approach to Hospital Visitation during a Pandemic: Responding with Compassion to Unfair Restrictions. Am J Crit Care 30(4):302-311, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33870412.
- Nortjé N, Stepan K. Advanced Care Planning Conversations in the Oncology Setting: Tips from the Experts. J Cancer Educ 36(2):325-329, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 31656027.
- Nortjé N, Jones-Bonofiglio K, Sotomayor CR. Exploring values among three cultures from a global bioethics perspective. Glob Bioeth 32(1):1-14, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33658749.
- Pater VR, Gereta S, Blanton CJ, Mackert M, Nortje N, Moriates C. Shifting Social Media Influence: Analysis of Tweets About Mechanical Ventilation During COVID-19. Journal of Critical Care, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Walther-Broussard, L, Meyer, T, Nortje, N. When hanging on at all costs is the only option. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 4(1):119-121, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Meyer T, Walther-Broussard L, Nortjé N. It takes time to let go. Narrat Inq Bioeth 11(3):1-5, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 35370180.
- Nortje N, Jones-Bonofiglio K, Haque S, Rathi N. Decision-making framework for rural hospitals during a pandemic. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Jones-Bonofiglio, K, Nortje, N. A policy and decision-making framework for South African doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. South African Medical Journal 110(7):613-616, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32880333.
- Stepan, KA, Bashoura, L, George, MC, Griffith, W, Meyer, M, Nortje, N, Price, KJ, Zhukovsky, DS, Rodriguez, MA. Building an infrastructure and standard methodology for actively engaging patients in advance care planning. JCO Oncology Practice 16(2):E1085-E1091, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32045558.
- Hardy, N, Nortje, N. Facilitated Conversation: A Useful Tool in an Ethicist’s Toolbox. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 3(1):175-177, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Choudhury, D, Nortje, N. Respecting cultural differences in goals of care conversations. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 2(2):143-144, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Nortje, N. Speaking for Our Father. Narrative inquiry in bioethics 9(2):173-177, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31447455.
- Cunningham TV, Chatburn A, Coleman C, DeRenzo EG, Furfari K, Frye J, Glover AC, Kenney M, Nortjé N, Malek J, Repenshek M, Sheppard F, Crites JS. Comprehensive Quality Assessment in Clinical Ethics. J Clin Ethics 30(3):284-296, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31573973.
- Nortje, N, De Jongh, JC, Hoffmann, WA. A regional look at ethics in healthcare. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine 11(1), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31714128.
- Fouche P, Nortje N, Welman C, van Niekerk R. Emily Hobhouse's Psychosocial Development trajectory as Anti-War Campaigner: A Levinsonian Psychobiography. Indo-Pacific Jopurnal of Phenomenology 18:1-15, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Nortjé N, Hoffmann WA. Perspectives on the development of professionalism as experienced by radiography students. Radiography (Lond) 24(2):110-114, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29605106.
- Nortje, N. Helping surrogate decision-makers through difficult conversations. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 1(2):89-90, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Nortje, N. Attributes contributing to the development of professionalism as described by dietetics students. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 30(1):6-8, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Nortje, N, Faber, M, De Villiers, A. School tuck shops in South Africa—An ethical appraisal. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 30(3):30-35, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Nortjé N, De Jongh J. Professionalism – A case for medical education to honour the societal contract. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy 47(2):41-44, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Fouché, P, Burnell, B, Van Niekerk, R, Nortje, N. The faith development of the antiapartheid theologian Beyers Naudé. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 3(4):276-288, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Nortje, N, Hoffmann, WA. Seven year overview (2007-2013) of ethical transgressions by registered healthcare professionals in South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid 21:46-53, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Hoffmann, WA, Nortje, N. Patterns of unprofessional conduct by medical practitioners in South Africa (2007–2013). South African Family Practice 58(3):108-113, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Nortjé N, De Jongh J. Client Confidentiality: Perspectives Of Students Engaged In A Health Care Training Programme. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 9(1):31-34, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Nortje, N, Hoffmann, WA. Ethics misconduct among dietetic practitioners in South Africa (2007-2013). South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 28(2):77-80, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Nortje, N, Hoffmann, WA. Ethical misconduct by registered psychologists in South Africa during the period 2007-2013. South African Journal of Psychology 45(2):260-270, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Nortjé N, De Jongh J. Ethical dilemmas experienced by Occupational Therapy students – The reality. African Journal of Health Professions Education 7(2):187-189, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Nortjé N, Esterhuyse K. Changing students’ moral reasoning ability – is it at all possible?. African Journal of Health Professions Education 7(2):180-182, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Nortjé N, Hoffmann WA. Common ethical transgressions by registered Occupational Therapists. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy 45(3):55-57, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Nortje, N, Albertyn, R. The cultural language of pain. South African Family Practice 57(1):24-27, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Nortjé N, Hoffmann WA. Professional consequence for dentists involved in unethical decision-making in South Africa. J Forensic Odontostomatol 32 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):22-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25557412.
- Albertyn, R, Nortje, N. Assessment of pain and suffering in child abuse and homicide victims. Social Work (South Africa) 50(3):410-420, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Nortje, N. Ethical tensions faced by dietetic students during fieldwork. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 27(3):128-131, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Albertyn R, Nortjé N. Retrospective assessment of pain and suffering in child abuse and homicide victims. Journal of Social Work 50(3):410-420, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Nortjé N. Cultural Perspectives on Euthanasia. Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences 1(5):77-80, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Nortjé N, Fouché P, Gogo, O. The neo-Adlerian holistic wellness of Brenda Fassie: A psychobiography. Online Journal of African Affairs 2(2), 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Solomons, N, Nortje, N. Treating an intervention level 1 patient. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition 26(4):176-180, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Esterhuyse, KG, Nortje, N, Pienaar, A, Beukes, RB. Sense of humour and adolescents' cognitive flexibility. South African Family Practice 55(1):90-95, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- van Niekerk A, Nortjé N. Phronesis and an ethics of Responsibility. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 6(1):28-31, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Swanepoel, P, Esterhuyse, KG, Beukes, RB, Nortje, N. Die rol van coping in die verband tussen geestelike welstand en depressie by predikante. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 68(1), 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Strydom, L, Nortje, N, Beukes, RB, Esterhuyse, KG, van der Westhuizen, J. Job satisfaction amongst teachers at special needs schools. South African Journal of Education 32(3):255-266, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Lowe, C, du Plessis, ED, Nortje, N. Perceived Child Rearing Practices as Predictors of University Students’ Satisfaction with their Sexual Relationships. Journal of Psychology in Africa 21(4):595-598, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Fouché, P, Nortje, N, Phillips, K, Stroud, L. Psychofortology of Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment. Journal of Psychology in Africa 21(4):541-547, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- de Vos, HM, le Roux, MC, Nortje, N. The attitudes of older South Africans towards euthanasia. Social Work (South Africa) 40(3):283-293, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
Editorials
- Nortje N. Book Review of Magnussen H. (2017) The Moral Work of Nursing – Asking and Living with the Questions. Canadian Journal of Bioethics 2(2):15-16, 2019.
- Nortje, N, Visagie, R, Wessels, JS. Preface. Research Ethics Forum 7:v-vii, 2019.
- Nortje, N, Hoffmann, B, Jongh, JD. Foreword. Advancing Global Bioethics 13:v-vii, 2018.
Book Chapters
- Kruger M, Nortje N. The child with cancer: blurring the lines between research and treatment. In: Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice. Springer, 2022.
- Hardy N, Nortjé N. A Developmental Perspective on Pediatric Decision-Making Capacity. In: Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice. Springer Publishers, 2022.
- Hoffmann B, Nortje N. The ethical principles that guide Artificial Intelligence utilization in clinical healthcare. In: Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice. Springer, 2022.
- Nortje N, Kruger M, Nie JB, Takahashi S, Nakagama Y, Hain R, Garros D, Villalva AMR, Lantos JD, Winters JP, McCleary, TL. Pediatric Ethics: Main challenges from around the globe. In: Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice. Springer, 2022.
- Nortje N, Hoffmann WA. Research ethics in social sciences and integrity in Africa. In: Social Science Research Ethics in Africa. Springer, 117-123, 2019.
- Hoffmann, WA, Nortje, N. Ethics Review Framework and Guidelines for Social Science Research, 229-248, 2019.
- Nortje, N, Hoffmann, WA. Research Integrity in the Context of Social Science Research in Africa, 117-123, 2019.
- Hoffmann, WA, Nortje, N. Curriculum Guidelines for Teaching Healthcare Ethics at Undergraduate Level, 251-266, 2018.
- Nortje N, Mfutso-Bengo J, Hoffmann, WA. Bioethics and Its Development on the African Continent. In: African Perspectives on Ethics for Healthcare Professionals. Springer, 1-10, 2018.
- Kunneke, E, Swart, R, Nortje, N. Ethics for the Dietetic Profession – A South African Perspective, 91-105, 2018.
- Nortje N, Hoffmann WA, de Jongh J. Professionalism in a changing society - The role of Ethics. In: African Perspectives on Ethics for Healthcare Professionals. Springer, 11-24, 2018.
- Nortje, N, Hoffmann, WA, De Jongh, JC. Development of Bioethics and Professionalism in the Healthcare Context, 11-24, 2018.
- Nortjé N. Passive Euthanasia. In: Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer, 1-7, 2016.
- Nortjé N. Critical Illness and Care. In: Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer, 1-7, 2016.
- Hoffmann WA, Nortjé N. Education: Assessment. In: Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer, 1-12, 2016.
- Nortjé N, Gwyther L. Ethical Issues. In: Legal Aspects of Palliative Care. 2nd. HPCSA, 242, 2014.
Books (edited and written)
- Nortje N, Bester J. Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice. Springer, 2022.
- Nortje N, Visage R, Wessels JA. Social Science Research Ethics in Africa. Springer, 2019.
- Nortje N, Hoffmann WA, de Jongh J. African Perspectives on Ethics for Healthcare Professionals. Springer, 2018.
- Nortjé N. Psychodynamics of Healthcare, 2015.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2023. End of Life issues in Cancer Care. Conference. End of Life issues in Cancer Care. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. The IMPACT of an interdisciplinary goals-of-care program on readmission rates at a comprehensive care center. Conference. ASCO. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2023. SERIOUS ILLNESS CONVERSATION GUIDE TRAINING: SUCCESSES & LESSONS LEARNED AT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER. Conference. Harvard Medical School. Boston, MA, US.
- 2022. Impact of an Interdisciplinary Goals of Care Program on Patient Outcomes: The MD Anderson Experience. Conference. ASCO Annual Meeting. Alexandra, VA, US.
- 2022. The Importance of Facilitating Goal-Concordant Care (GCC) in a Pandemic: The MD Anderson Experience with hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients. Conference. Rice University. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Goals of Care Rapid Response Team at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes. Conference. American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2021. Utilizing the electronic health record (EHR) to improve code status reconciliation on admission to an academic cancer center. Conference. Utilizing the electronic health record (EHR) to improve code status reconciliation on admission to an academic cancer center. Houston, US.
- 2021. Blended Learning for Ethics Education – How the pandemic necessitated this change. Conference. IAEE. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. 11.High risk surgical planning, indications and ethics conference. Conference. Department of Surgery peri-op QI conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Facilitating Goal of Care (GoC) Conversations in A Pandemic: The MD Anderson Experience With Hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Positive Patients. Conference. Facilitating Goal of Care (GoC) Conversations in A Pandemic: The MD Anderson Experience With Hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Positive Patients. Virtual, US.
- 2021. The Role of Nurses and Advanced Practice Providers in Advance Care Planning and Goal Concordant Care. Conference. 2021 Cancer Care Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2021. Case Study: Two Perspectives Risk and Ethics: One Goal, Patient Safety. Conference. Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. The problem of Janus in Medical Education (How to integrate humanities into a medical curricula). Conference. Augustana College. Rock Island, IL, US.
- 2021. The Changing Landscape of Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care Discussions at MD Anderson: Impact of a Pandemic. Conference. 24th Supportive Care & Palliative Care Clinical and Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. KEYNOTE - Morality and Ethics. Conference. KEYNOTE - Morality and Ethics. Fort Worth, TX, US.
- 2019. HOPE and Resilience. Conference. HOPE and Resilience, US.
- 2018. KEYNOTE - Diversity in Ethical decision-making. Conference. KEYNOTE - Diversity in Ethical decision-making. Sioux Falls, SD, US.
- 2018. Speaking for me when I can no longer – surrogate decision-making. Conference. Speaking for me when I can no longer – surrogate decision-making. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. Improving Goals of Care Discussion and Documentation in Cancer Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit from the Emergency Department. Conference. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer & International Society for Oral Oncology 2023 Annual Conference. Nara, JP.
- 2023. Impact Of Rapidly Developed Goals Of Care Program On Referrals To Outpatient Supportive Care In A Tertiary Cancer Center During The Covid-19 Pandemic. Conference. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, Japanese Association of Supportive Care in Cancer & International Society for Oral Oncology 2023 Annual Conference, JP.
- 2023. Improving Interdisciplinary Communication and Collaboration to impact better ACO Conversations. Conference. International Association For Education in Ethics. Zagreb, HR.
- 2023. Advance Care Planning: Lessons learned at a large tertiary Health Care System. Conference. Asian Bioethics Conference. Kuala Lumpar, MY.
- 2023. Ethics Consultation. Conference. Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Bogota, CO.
- 2023. Improving Goals of Care Discussion and Documentation in Cancer Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit from the Emergency Department. Conference. The European Emergency Medicine Congress. Barcelona, ES.
- 2022. Professional and ethical coping in a post-pandemic world - Has this world changed or is it just my imagination. Conference. University of the Western Cape. Cape Town, ZA.
- 2021. Using Goals of Care Conversations to Build Ethics Competency. Conference. Using Goals of Care Conversations to Build Ethics Competency. Cluj-Napoca, RO.
- 2021. Goals of Care and Ethics. Conference. 16th Annual International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation. Cape Town, ZA.
- 2021. Developing Goal Concordant for Oncology Patient. Conference. Developing Goal Concordant for Oncology Patient. Geelong, AU.
- 2019. Hope in ICU cases. Conference. Lakehead University. Thunderbay, CA.
- 2018. KEYNOTE - A long walk to Healthcare Professions Ethics in Africa. Conference. KEYNOTE - A long walk to Healthcare Professions Ethics in Africa. Cape Town, ZA.
- 2018. Finding hope in futile ICU cases: A narrative analysis. Conference. Finding hope in futile ICU cases: A narrative analysis. Halifax, CA.
- 2016. Health Care Students' Ethical Dilemmas - How to apply Practice to Teaching. Conference. Health Care Students' Ethical Dilemmas - How to apply Practice to Teaching. Logrono, ES.
- 2014. Professional and personal consequences for dentists involved in unethical decision making. Conference. Professional and personal consequences for dentists involved in unethical decision making. Cape Town, ZA.
- 2012. Development of Moral Behavior. Conference. Development of Moral Behavior. Cape Town, ZA.
Formal Peers
- 2023. Roundtable with Keynote Health System Culture Change-Advance Care Planning. Invited. Roundtable with Keynote Health System Culture Change-Advance Care Planning. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2023. Impact of GoC Initiative – The story of an Oncology Hospital. Invited. Impact of GoC Initiative – The story of an Oncology Hospital. Boston, MA, US.
- 2023. End of life Ethics. Invited. End of life Ethics. Austin, TX, US.
- 2023. National Healthcare Decisions Day: Advances in Advance Care Planning. Invited. National Healthcare Decisions Day: Advances in Advance Care Planning. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2019. Hope in the ICU. Invited. Hope in the ICU. Thunder Bay, Ontario, CA.
- 2019. Ethics in the Pediatric Environment. Invited. Ethics in the Pediatric Environment. Fort Worth, TX, US.
- 2016. Psychodynamics of Health Care. Invited. Psychodynamics of Health Care. Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified April 28, 2025