Cleveland Fellowship in Advanced Bioethics

Cleveland Fellowship in Advanced Bioethics

The Cleveland Fellowship in Advanced Bioethics (CFAB) is a two-year, full-time in-person program designed to prepare graduates to become leaders in clinical ethics. It is our belief that a robust clinical training program must not only prepare fellows to perform clinical ethics consultation independently and contribute to existing scholarship, but also lead an ethics program.

Informational Q&A Sessions

This year we will be having two informal Q&A sessions with Program Co-Directors and current fellows:

Pre-registration is required.

Established in 2007, the fellowship is one of the longest running and most prestigious clinical ethics training programs in the U.S., having trained more than 25 bioethicists. Former fellows can be found leading programs across the country, contributing to bioethics literature and innovating the field. The fellowship provides comprehensive clinical ethics consultation experience, opportunities for focused scholarly activities in fellows' respective areas of interest, ethics education, experience in organizational service activities and training in  leadership and professionalism skills including ethics program development, with opportunity for collaboration with the robust bioethics community in the Cleveland area. Completion of program requirements will prepare fellows for careers primarily in the clinical setting as independent ethics consultants, but also in academic environments.

Applications will be considered from professionals with terminal post-graduate degrees (MD, JD, PhD) in medicine, philosophy, nursing, social work, religious studies, law, or other fields related to the practice of clinical and academic bioethics. Priority will be given to applicants with strong potential for leadership in the field and who will most benefit from the rich clinical environment this program offers. Completed applications must be submitted by November 1 and the starting date for the fellowship is July 1 of each year. Application guidelines are found near the bottom of this page.

Curriculum

Program Description

The CFAB program is designed to train the next generation of highly skilled leaders in bioethics whose expertise is well-grounded in the clinical environment.

In conjunction with an advisor, each fellow develops a two-year program plan to complete the core elements and additional activities described below that will support the fellow's individual career goals.

Components of the CFAB Fellowship

Core Components:

  • Engaging in a structured curriculum addressing key issues in bioethics, professional and leadership development, and clinical skill building
  • Observing and conducting clinical ethics consultation (at least 36 weeks on clinical service over two years)
  • Engaging in and contributing to Center initiatives targeting program development and institutional service
  • Completing at least two scholarly projects, culminating in submissions for publication
  • Developing a portfolio of formal lectures to medical students, clinical trainees, and healthcare professionals internal and external to Cleveland Clinic
  • Submitting abstracts for presentation at conferences
  • Potential for opportunities to contribute to bioethics programs at affiliated institutions

Overall Goals:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of key bioethics topics
  • Proficiency or expertise in clinical ethics consultation
  • Experience in presenting and discussing core concepts in clinically-grounded bioethics at a post-graduate level
  • Acquisition of professional skills for academic achievement in the field of bioethics, including research, leadership opportunities, CV development, and career building

Stipends

The starting salary is $63,457 and total compensation includes healthcare insurance and other benefits. Cleveland Clinic supports conference participation (including travel reimbursement) and their professional development. Health insurance is the provided through Graduate Medical Education and is the same as what is offered to medical residents and fellows. See GME's website for more information about benefits for 2023 trainees.

Funds are not provided for relocation expenses.

Application Process

Additional information can be found here. Disclaimer: some of the photographs shown in documents were taken prior to the pandemic, so caregivers are not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Today at Cleveland Clinic, all caregivers are required to wear face masks. Full PPE is also worn as necessary.

To apply, candidates must submit the following by November 1:

  1. A cover letter explaining your qualifications and objectives for this fellowship including academic training, clinical and/or clinical ethics experience (if any), and career aspirations.
  2. A current curriculum vitae including education and/or activities pertaining to bioethics.
  3. Three letters of recommendation submitted directly, ideally commenting on your abilities as an adult learner and any clinical and/or clinical ethics experience.
  4. One to three examples of scholarly written work.

Priority will be given to applicants with strong potential for leadership in the field and who will most benefit from the rich clinical environment this program offers.

Applications will not be considered until all materials are received. If you are accepted into the program, further documentation will be required including transcripts. Please send materials electronically (electronic applications are preferred) or in hard copy to:

Fellowship Coordinator
Center for Bioethics
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
9500 Euclid Ave., JJ-60
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.445.2739
Email: BioethicsFellowships@ccf.org

Non-Smoking Hiring Policy

To take further steps in preserving and improving the health of all its employees and patients, Cleveland Clinic has implemented a nonsmoking hiring policy requiring all job applicants and individuals receiving appointments to take a cotinine test during their pre-placement physical exam. This is a pre-employment test only. The cotinine test will detect the presence of nicotine in all forms of tobacco. Anyone testing positive will have their employment offer rescinded and receive a referral to a tobacco cessation program paid for by Cleveland Clinic.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about the Cleveland Fellowship in Advanced Bioethics, please contact:

CFAB Program Coordinator
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue - JJ60
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.445.2739
Email: BioethicsFellowships@ccf.org

Josh Crites, PhD
CFAB Co-Director
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue - JJ60
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.444.8720
Email: critesj@ccf.org

Cristie Cole Horsburgh, JD
CFAB Co-Director
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue-JJ60
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.444.8720
Email: colec@ccf.org

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