NWSCRS Ethics Lectureship
The NWSCRS Ethics Lectureship
The NWSCRS Ethics Lectureship is a cornerstone of our commitment to advancing thoughtful, responsible surgical practice and leadership. Each year, this session invites leaders in bioethics to share their work and illuminate novel approaches for managing the complex ethical challenges facing colorectal surgeons today—from clinical decision-making and patient advocacy to professionalism and equity in care. Sponsored by a grateful patient, this forum reinforces our collective dedication to the highest standards of integrity within our specialty.
2025 Lectureship Trainees
Shana Busch
Medical Student, Class of 2028
Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University
Cristina Peralta Rivera, MD
General Surgery Resident PGY-3
Hospital Central Norte de PEMEX / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Magdalene (Maggie) Goniwiecha
College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2027
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Alejandra Judith Gomez Bernal
General Surgery Resident PGY-3
Hospital General de Zona #1 (IMSS), affiliated with University of Guanajuato
Dominique Liddy, MD
General Surgery Resident PGY-2
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Application Process
We are seeking applications to the Northwest Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Ethics Lectureship, which will be held on Thursday, July 16th during our Annual Meeting in Carmel, CA.
Dr. Dan Chu will be our Endowed Ethics Lecturer. Dr. Chu is an expert on identifying, understanding and reducing health disparities in surgery with particular attention to health literacy. He is known for his work addressing disparities through a novel intersection of health literacy, enhanced recovery programs, and patient engagement technologies. His recent work explores how to incorporate artificial intelligence in improving health literacy
Accepted applicants will learn how to evaluate a piece of colorectal surgery patient education and improve its health literacy using artificial intelligence. Applicants will work in one of three domains: (1) converting existing patient education (2) creating new patient education, or (3) creating infographics. Applicants will be mentored by Dr. Chu and the Ethics Co-Leaders (Drs. Matthew Bobel and Jill Clark) on a monthly basis starting in January 2026. They will then have the opportunity to present during the Ethics Lectureship. There is a cash prize associated with acceptance.
Deadline to apply is December 15th 2025. Notifications will be sent out on January 2nd 2026.
Who Can Apply?
Any level of medical trainee: medical student, general surgery resident, or colorectal surgery fellow. Trainees with a special interest in ethics or education are strongly encouraged to apply.
How Do I Apply?
The next application cycle is scheduled for Fall 2026. This year’s Ethics Lectureship will be on July 16th, 2026.
Apply for the Ethics Lectureship
The application process has closed. The next application cycle is scheduled for Fall 2026.