Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lecture

Sims Lecture 2002-05 | 2006-08 | 2009-10

The Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lectures were created to foster discussion in one of two areas: issues in responsible communication between patients, families, professional care givers, and counselors; or issues in biomedical ethics.

The series was established in honor of Matthew Vandivier Sims, who died in infancy. It is a collaboration between the Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lecture Fund and the Poynter Center.

2009

Dr. Margaret Mohrmann
"Bioethics for Babies: Are There Guides for the Perplexed?"

Margaret Mohrmann, from the University of Virginia, presented the eighth annual Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lecture on April 16, 2009. Her topic was "Bioethics for Babies: Are There Guides for the Perplexed?" Professor Mohrmann's presentation touched on both facets of the Lectures' mission as she explores bioethics' reliance on a "best interests" standard for decisions about the care of infants and its virtual silence in regard to how parents-the usual designated decision makers-go about their deliberations and how medical professionals accompany them in that process.

Damon Sims, Margaret Mohrmann, and Richard Miller

Professor Mohrmann holds a medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and a doctorate in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, where she now serves as the Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation Professor of Biomedical Ethics, Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Education, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Director, Program of Biomedical Ethics, Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities. She teaches a variety of courses, including biomedical ethics, the history of Christian ethics, and feminist thought. Publications include Attending Children: A Doctor's Education and Medicine As Ministry: Reflections on Suffering, Ethics, and Hope.

The audiostream of the 2009 Lecture is available online at broadcast.iu.edu, using RealPlayer 8 Basic (a free program).

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2010

Dr. Mark Mercurio
"Decision-Making in the Pediatric Critical Care Setting"

Mark Mercurio, from Yale University, presented the ninth annual Matthew Vandivier Sims Lecture on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Dr. Mercurio spoke on "Decision-Making in the Pediatric Critical Care Setting." Dr. Mercurio is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Yale Pediatric Ethics Program.

The audiostream of the 2010 Lecture is available online at broadcast.iu.edu, using RealPlayer 8 Basic (a free program).

Richard Miller, Mark Mercurio, and Damon Sims after the 2010 Sims Lecture.

Damon Sims, Matthew's father, and Mark Mercurio had lunch and discussion with students from the Wells Scholars Program, Hutton Honors College, and other students. Damon talked about Matthew's brief life and the challenge he and his wife faced in deciding what was the best course of action to take for their son. Their goal is that medical personnel, caregivers and family members who might face a difficult healthcare decision in the future might have a better understanding of issues involved.

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