Let’s Get Ethical

On May 18, a day-long, “Ethical Fitness Training” workshop was held for the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Executive Committee (EC). Sponsored by the GSDM Dean’s Council on Ethics and Professionalism (DCEP), attendees included all members of the EC and the faculty and staff  who have been selected as, "Ethical Fitness Trainers". Participants were directed by Founder and President of the Institute for Global Ethics Mr. Rushworth Kidder and his associate Mr. Marty Taylor. The DCEP is a standing committee within the Dental School charged with the responsibility of maintaining the highest level of ethical behavior and a creating a maintainable culture of true professionalism. "The Institute has been an integral part of the development of GSDM’s Dean’s Council on Ethics and Professionalism," said Council Chair Dr. Carl McManama. "Tuesday’s meeting marked the beginning of the implementation stages of the Council’s duties."

The Council plans to release the School’s new Code of Ethics which was approved by the EC during an abbreviated meeting held just prior to lunch. Once published, it will be made available to all members of the GSDM community. The Code of Ethics is structured around the School’s five critical core values: respect, fairness, responsibility, truth, and compassion.

"This is not a code strictly for students," said Dr. McManama. "This is not a list of rules and regulations.  This is a code that should inspire everyone in the School community to embrace our responsibilities as health care providers and professional educators."

Also kicking off soon will be on-going ethical fitness seminars designed for all members of the community. This training will be ongoing and will be part of orientation for new faculty, new staff, and incoming students. These seminars will focus on how good people make tough, ethical decisions. 

"I look forward to the release of the new Code of Ethics," said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. "I know the Council has worked diligently to develop this code and if Tuesday’s meeting was any indication the future seminars will be stimulating, informative, and valuable to everyone involved."

Photos from the meeting are available on GSDM’s flickr account.