Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship

Thomas Antley PittsThomas Antley Pitts, II, M.D. (1893-1991) served as a member of the Board of the Medical University of South Carolina for thirty-six years and served as its chairman for twenty-five of those years. He left a substantial bequest to the Medical University of South Carolina to endow "a series of lectures on medical ethics." The series has become known as the Pitts Memorial Lectureship, and has been held annually since 1993.

The Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship is supported by the MUSC Foundation.

Additional Information

Any question about this conference or the Institute of Human Values in Health Care should be directed to Grant Goodrich, Ph.D., at goodricg@musc.edu or 843-792-9652, or to Dana J. Zeelsdorf at zeelsdor@musc.edu.

Upcoming Lectureship

30th Annual Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship: “The Ethics of Precision Medicine” will take place on April 12, 2024. The event will be held in person and online; in person limited to 80 people.

Registration

Program

Download the program for the 30th Annual Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship: “The Ethics of Precision Medicine” (PDF)

Previous Lectureships

Date: April 7, 2023

Topic: The Ethics of Organ Transplantation (Program)

Cover image for the 2023 Thomas A. Pitts lecture brochure.
  • Keynote and Session I Video
    • Keynote: Panel on the Experience of Donation
    • Session I: The Ethics of Transplantation Research
  • Session II and III Video
    • Session II: It's Time to Abandon the Dead Donor Rule
    • Session III: The UAGA & Objections to Donation
  • Session IV: Social Determinants & Barriers to Transplant (Video)

Date: April 8, 2022

Topic: Gun Violence & Public Health (Program)

Thumbnail of the Gun Violence and Public Health lecture program.
  • Keynote: Panel on the Effects of Gun Violence (Video)
  • Session I: Gun Violence, Policy and Public Health (Video)
  • Session II: Debating the Boundaries of the 2nd Amendment (Video)
  • Session III: Breaking the Cycle: Interventions for Stopping Gun Violence (Video)

Date: February 19, 2021

27th Annual Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship in Medical Ethics

Date: April 4, 2019

Topic: Opioid Controversies: The Crisis - Causes and Solutions

Opioid Controversies: The Crisis - Causes and Solutions

Speakers

  • Richard C. Ausness, JD, LLM
  • Paul J. Christo, M.D., MBA
  • Rebecca L. Haffajee, JD, Ph.D., MPH
  • Stefan Kertesz, M.D., MSc
  • Richard S. Larson, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Robert Malcolm, M.D.
  • Jacob Sullum
  • Arthur R. Williams, M.D., MA

Date: May 24, 2018

Topic: Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Kathleen B. Rogers, Ph.D.
  • Susan Lederer, Ph.D.

Date: April 6, 2017

Topic: Perspectives of Alzheimer's Disease: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Jonathan Haines, Ph.D.
  • Mary W. Sheldon, M.D.
  • Jacobo Mintzer, M.D.
  • Annette Leibing, Ph.D.
  • Robert H. Blank, Ph.D.
  • Dena Davis, J.D., Ph.D.
  • Elaine Amella, Ph.D.
  • Jason Karlawish, M.D.
  • Elinor Fuches, Ph.D.

Date: April 8, 2016

Topic: Controversies in Clinical Research Ethics

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Mark Cherry, Ph.D.
  • Susan Ellenberg, Ph.D., MA
  • John Lantos, M.D.
  • Margaret R. Moon, M.D., MPH
  • Robert Nussbaum, M.D.
  • Rosamond Rhodes, Ph.D.
  • Lowell E. Schnipper, M.D.
  • Udo Schuklenk, Ph.D.
  • Robert Schwartz, J.D.
  • Lois Shepherd, J.D.
  • Susan M. Wolf, J.D.
  • Mark Yarborough, Ph.D.

Date: October 18, 2013

Topic: Ethical and Legal Issues in Pediatrics

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Melissa Wasserstein, M.D.
  • Norman Fost, M.D., MPH
  • Stan L. Block, M.D.
  • Douglas Diekema, M.D., MPH
  • Michael T. Brady, M.D.
  • J. Steven Svoboda, J.D.
  • Minoo Kavarana, M.D.
  • Eric Graham, M.D.

Date: October 26, 2012

Topic: Brain Science in the 21st Century: Clinical Controversies and Ethical Implications

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Jonathan Edwards, M.D.
  • Joe DeLamielleure
  • Robert Adams, M.D.
  • Wally Smith, M.D.
  • Ronald Acierno, Ph.D.
  • Mark Hamner, M.D.
  • Peter Tuerk, Ph.D.
  • Nicholas Avgeropoulos, M.D.
  • Michael K. Gusmano, Ph.D.

Date: October 28, 2011

Topic: The Health Care Reform Law (PPACA): Controversies in Ethics and Policy

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Allan Brett, M.D.
  • John Geyman, M.D.
  • Ronald Hamowy, Ph.D.
  • Paul T. Menzel, Ph.D.
  • Robert Moffitt, Ph.D.
  • Len Nichols, Ph.D.
  • James Taylor, Ph.D.
  • Griffin Trotter, M.D., Ph.D.

Date: October 29, 2010

Topic: From Laboratory to Bedside: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Translational Research

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Mark Bernstein, M.D.
  • Benjamin Djulbegovic, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Scott D. Halpern, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Gail E. Henderson, Ph.D.
  • Charles W. Lidz, Ph.D.
  • Franklin G. Miller, Ph.D.
  • Nathan Nobis, Ph.D.
  • Dario Ringach, Ph.D.

Date: October 30, 2009

Topic: The Graying of America: Challenges and Controversies

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Daniel Callahan, Ph.D.
  • P. Dilworth-Anderson, Ph.D.
  • Muriel Gillick, M.D.
  • David A. Gruenewald, M.D.
  • Yale Kamisar, J.D.
  • William F. May, Ph.D.
  • Thomas P. Miller, J.D.
  • Timothy E. Quill, M.D.

Date: September 5, 2008

Topic: Conundrums & Controversies in Mental Health and Illness

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Raymond F. Anton, M.D.
  • Joseph D. Bloom, M.D.
  • Mark J. Cherry, Ph.D.
  • M. Carmela Epright, Ph.D.
  • Rikki Lynn Halavonich, M.D.
  • Robert Kinscherff, Ph.D., J.D.
  • Robert L.M. Phillips, M.D.
  • Jeffrey A. Schaler, Ph.D.
  • Howard V. Zonana, M.D.

Date: September 8, 2007

Topic: Dangerous Liaisons? Industry Relations with Health Professionals

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Paul Anthony, M.D., MPH
  • Howard Brody, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Sigrid Fry-Revere, J.D., Ph.D.
  • Harry B. Greenberg, M.D.
  • Peter Lurie, M.D., MPH
  • Bruce W. Lytle, M.D.
  • Paul H. Rubin, Ph.D.
  • Lance K. Stell, Ph.D.
  • Matthew Wynia, M.D. MPH

Date: September 8, 2006

Topic: Religions & Cultures of East and West Perspectives on Bioethics

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Shahid Athar, M.D.
  • S. Cromwell Crawford, Ph.D.
  • Russell Kirkland, Ph.D.
  • William LaFleur, Ph.D.
  • Andrew Lustig, Ph.D.
  • Laurie Zoloth, Ph.D.

Date: September 9, 2005

Topic: Reflection on Emerging Technologies at the Centennial of Organ Transplantation

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Troyen A. Brennan, M.D.
  • H.T. Engelhardt, Ph.D., M.D.
  • Gary Francoine, J.D.
  • Albert Jonsen, Ph.D.
  • Edwin Locke, Ph.D.
  • Carlo Montemagno, Ph.D.
  • Robert M. Sade, M.D.
  • Monique Spillman, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Robert Truog, M.D.

Date: September 10, 2004

Topic: Defining the Beginning and the End of Human Life: Implications for Ethics, Policy and Law

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • James L. Bernat, M.D.
  • David DeGrazia, Ph.D.
  • George Khushf, Ph.D.
  • Donald Marquis, Ph.D.
  • William F. May, Ph.D.
  • Jeff McMahan, Ph.D.
  • Lynn M. Morgan, Ph.D.
  • Bonnie Steinbock, Ph.D.

Date: September 19, 2003

Topic: When People Attack People: Ethics Law and Policy of Violence

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Lillian R. BeVier, J.D.
  • Dean Kilpatrick, Ph.D.
  • Stephen Morse, J.D., Ph.D.
  • Lance Stell, Ph.D.
  • Deborah Prothrow-Stith, M.D.
  • Frans de Waal, Ph.D.
  • David Wasserman, J.D.
  • Franklin E. Zimring, J.D.

Date: September 13, 2002

Topic: Alternative Medical Systems: Here to Stay But on What Terms?

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Kathleen Boozang, J.D., LLD
  • Ruiping Fan, Ph.D.
  • Randall Holcombe, Ph.D.
  • Henry L. Miller, M.D.
  • E. Haavi Morreim, Ph.D.
  • Gary Nestler, DA, DOM
  • Kenneth Pelletier, Ph.D.
  • Stephen Schabel, M.D.
  • Lawrence Schneiderman, M.D.
  • Jeremy Sugarman, M.D.

Date: September 14, 2001

Topic: HIV/AIDS as an Epidemic: Ethical Issues at the 20th Anniversary

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Donald Ainslie, Ph.D.
  • Ronald Bayer, Ph.D.
  • Charles S. Bryan, M.D.
  • Lawrence O. Gostin, J.D.
  • David Kelley, Ph.D.
  • Jan F. Narveson, Ph.D.
  • Samuel H. Nelson, Ph.D.
  • Stephen B. Thomas, Ph.D.

Date: September 15, 2000

Topic: Power Over Information, Power to Decide: Paternalism and Autonomy in Health Care

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Ronald Bailey
  • H.T. Engelhardt, Ph.D., M.D.
  • Lawrence Gostin, J.D.
  • Sherman A. James, Ph.D.
  • Karen Labacqz, Ph.D.
  • David J. Rothman, Ph.D.
  • Alfred I. Tauber, M.D.
  • Beverly Woodward, Ph.D.

Date: January 9, 1998

Topic: Revisiting the First Four Years Where are we Today?

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Stuart J. Youngner, M.D.
  • William Winslade, J.D., Ph.D.
  • E. Haavi Morrein, Ph.D.
  • Rosemary Tong, Ph.D.

Date: November 8, 1996

Topic: Women's Health Issues

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Eileen Hoffman, M.D.
  • Mary B. Mahowald, Ph.D.
  • Carol S. Weisman, Ph.D.

Date: November 17, 1995

Topic: Ethical Issues of Managed Care

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Louis L. Brunetti, M.D., J.D.
  • E. Haavi Morrein, Ph.D.
  • Daniel Sulmasty, M.D., Ph.D.

Date: November 18, 1994

Topic: Dying in America: Choices at the End of Life

Frankenstein at 200 Years: Contemporary, Ethical, Scientific, and Social Relevance

Speakers

  • Daniel Callahan, Ph.D.
  • William Winslade, J.D., Ph.D.
  • Timothy Quill, M.D.
  • Mark Siegler, M.D.