21st Annual Pediatric Bioethics Conference
Adding Life to Their Years: Pediatrics,
Palliative Care and Ethics
Save the Date! 2026 Registration Now Open!
Join us for the 21st annual Seattle Children’s Pediatric Bioethics Conference, Adding Life to Their Years: Pediatrics, Palliative Care and Ethics, from July 17–18, 2026, at Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle.
This year’s conference will focus on issues at the heart of pediatrics: the relief of suffering, maintenance of hope and promotion of flourishing of children and their families. Bioethics and palliative care share these commitments, yet they sometimes bring different perspectives on how best to achieve them.
We will explore questions that arise at the intersection of pediatrics bioethics and palliative care, identifying areas of controversy and of synergy. In an era of rapid technological, financial and social change, this conference will provide space for thoughtful dialogue about the ethical challenges and opportunities shaping the future of pediatric care.
Join us as we explore the ethical questions that shape how we care, communicate and find meaning in the lives of children and families facing serious illness.
- What ethical challenges emerge when hospitalization stretches from weeks to years?
- How should clinicians and families navigate disagreements about goals of care?
- What is the relationship between bioethics and palliative care?
- Can parents refuse to share diagnoses or prognoses with their children?
- How can communication strategies promote trust and combat misinformation?
- How can we best support the flourishing of children and families facing serious illness?
- What are the ethical limits of parental decision-making near the end of life?
- How should we respond to concerns about suffering?
Register to Attend
Early bird registration available through June 7. All participants must register by July 3. There will be no on-site registration.
Pricing and Registration Submit Abstract Apply for Scholarship
2026 Agenda
8 a.m.
Sign-in and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Welcome, Introduction and Land Acknowledgment
Seattle Children’s Leadership
8:40 a.m.
Introduction to the Conference
Aaron Wightman, MD, MA
Co-Director of Education, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
8:45 a.m.
Pediatric Palliative Care: Moral and Medical, Past, Present and Future
Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH, HEC-C
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
9:15 a.m.
Equity and Ease of Access: Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care
Meaghann S. Weaver, MD, PhD, MPH, HEC-C
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
9:45 a.m.
Children with Prolonged and Repeated Hospitalizations: Ethical Challenges and Opportunities
Jennifer K. Walter, MD, PhD, MS
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
10:30 a.m.
Getting Unstuck: Navigating Intractable Disagreements in Pediatrics
Sabrina Derrington, MD, MA, HEC-C, FAAP
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles/Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California
11 a.m.
Forgoing Medically Provided Nutrition and Hydration
Emily Berkman, MD, MA
Seattle Children’s/University of Washington
11:30 a.m.
The World Is Indeed Full of Peril
Jennifer Kett, MD, MA
Seattle Children’s/University of Washington
12 p.m.
Lunch
1 p.m.
Submitted Oral Presentations
2:15 p.m.
Engaging With Pediatric Existential and Total Suffering
Tyler Tate, MD, MA
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital/Stanford University
2:45 p.m.
Can Sick Kids Flourish?
Erica K. Salter, PhD, HEC-C
Saint Louis University
3:15 p.m.
Break
3:25 p.m.
A Conversation About Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care
Moderator: Douglas Diekema, MD, MPH
Co-Director of Education, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
All speakers from first day
4 p.m.
Questions from the Audience
4:30 p.m.
Adjourn
7:45 a.m.
Sign-in and Continental Breakfast
8:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
Douglas Diekema, MD, MPH
Co-Director of Education, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
8:20 a.m.
Information Toxicity in an Era of Anti-Science
Amy Trowbridge, MD
Seattle Children’s/University of Washington
8:50 a.m.
Neuroprognostication — Uncertainty, Ableism and Hope
Monica Lemmon, MD
Duke University School of Medicine
9:20 a.m.
Moral Compromise in Pediatrics and Burnout: Unpacking the Relationship
Randi Zlotnik Shaul, JD, LLM, PhD
The Hospital for Sick Children/University of Toronto
10 a.m. workshop sessions (select one)
Session 1: Measuring What Matters in Palliative Care
Erin K. Kross, MD
University of Washington/Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence
Jori Bogetz, MD
Research Director, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
Session 2: To Tell or Not to Tell: A Workshop on Examining Matters of Diagnosis/Prognosis Disclosure
Sara Taub, MD, MBE
Oregon Health and Science University
Session 3: Ethical Issues in End-of-Life and Bereavement Care
Arika Moore, MSW, LICSW, APHSW-C
Seattle Children’s/University of Washington
Luke Mosley, MD, MTS
Seattle Children’s/University of Washington
Sarah Farris
Journey Grief Support Program/Seattle Children’s
Session 4: Restorative Practices to Address Intersectional Harms in Clinical Settings
Georgina Campelia, PhD, HEC-C
University of Washington
Crystal Brown, MD, MA
Harborview Medical Center/University of Washington
11:50 a.m.
Douglas S. Diekema Keynote Address
Treating With the Frenemy: The Crucial and Complicated Interplay of Clinical Ethics and Palliative Care
Robert McCauley, MD, FAAP, FAAHPM, HEC-C
Oregon Health and Science University
12:30 p.m.
Concluding Comments and Adjourn
Soulumination Photo Gallery on Display
Soulumination is a nonprofit based in Seattle, but serves most of Washington state. They have worked closely with Seattle Children's Hospital for over 20 years. They will have a featured photography gallery on display throughout the conference.
Soulumination celebrates life through photography. They serve families with children 18 and under who are currently facing a life-threatening condition, or children 18 and under with a parent currently facing a life-threatening condition, in Washington state. Families receive a professional photo session, an online gallery of their images and a custom legacy gift package, free of charge. Their photographs and treasured keepsakes are an enduring, beautiful record of the child or parent.
CME Accreditation
Seattle Children’s is accredited by the Washington State Medical Association CME Accreditation Committee to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Seattle Children’s designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity meets the criteria for up to 10.0 hours of Category I CME credit to satisfy the relicensure requirements of the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission.
Category 1 CME credit meets RN continuing education requirements.
Course Objectives
- Describe ethical issues that arise in the pediatric palliative care and end-of-life contexts.
- Discuss communication strategies for navigating disagreements over decisions made on behalf of children in the palliative care and end-of-life contexts.
- List some ways in which healthcare providers can support children and families facing serious illness.
Speakers
Emily Berkman, MD, MA
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Jori Bogetz, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics , University of Washington School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Pediatric Palliative Care , Seattle Children’s Hospital; Director of Research, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Crystal Brown, MD, MA
Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington; Ethics Consultant, Harborview Medical Center
Georgina Campelia, PhD, HEC-C
Assistant Professor, Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington School of Medicine
Sabrina Derrington, MD, MA, HEC-C, FAAP
Director, Center for Bioethics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Attending Physician in Critical Care, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Director of Research Ethics, Southern California Clinical Translational Science Institute
Doug Diekema, MD, MPH
Professor, Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care, University of Washington School of Medicine; Co-Director of Education and Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Sarah Farris, MS, CCLS
Grief Coordinator, Journey Grief Support Program, Seattle Children’s
Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH, HEC-C
Chief, Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor of Pediatrics, Nursing, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania
Jennifer Kett, MD, MA
Division Head, Medical Director, Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's; Associate Professor, Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Erin Kross, MD
Director, Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine
Monica E. Lemmon, MD
Chief, Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine; Associate Dean for Scientific Integrity, Department of Pediatrics and Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine
Robert Macauley, MD, FAAP, FAAHPM, HEC-C
Cambia Health Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care, Oregon Health and Science University
Arika Moore, MSW, LICSW, APHSW-C
Director, Bioethics, Palliative Care and Journey Grief Support Programs, Seattle Children's; Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Luke Mosley, MD, MTS
Assistant Professor, Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care, University of Washington School of Medicine; Medical Director of Inpatient Quality, Palliative Care Team, Seattle Children's; Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Doug Opel, MD, MPH
Professor, Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care and Division of General Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; Director and Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute
Erica Salter, PhD, HEC-C
Associate Professor of Health Care Ethics; Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Chair, Department of Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University; Co-Chair, Ethics Committee, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Tyler Tate, MD, MA
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Quality of Life and Pediatric Palliative Care, Stanford University School of Medicine; Core Faculty, Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics
Sara Taub, MD, MBE
Associate Professor, Division of Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University
Jennifer K. Walter, MD, PhD, MS
Steven D. Handler Endowed Chair in Medical Ethics; Director, Department of Medical Ethics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Meaghann S. Weaver, MD, PhD, MPH, HEC-C
Ethicist and Palliative Care Physician, Bioethics Program and Division of Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
Aaron Wightman, MD, MA
Co-Director of Education and Principal Investigator, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, Seattle Children's Research Institute; Associate Professor, Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care, University of Washington School of Medicine
Randi Zlotnik Shaul, JD, LLM, PhD
Director, Department of Bioethics ; Senior Associate Scientist, Child Health Evaluative Sciences , The Hospital for Sick Children ; Professor, Department of Paediatrics Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto
- Emily Berkman, MD, MA
- Jori Bogetz, MD
- Gina Campelia, PhD, HEC-C
- Douglas Diekema, MD, MPH
- Jennifer Kett, MD, MA
- Daniel Kim, MD
- Leah Kroon, MA, MN, RN, CPHON
- Erin Kross, MD
- Colleen Lee, Treuman Katz Center manager
- Kate MacDuffie, PhD
- Luke Mosley, MD, MTS
- Zahiyah Muhamad, Treuman Katz Center program coordinator
- Douglas Opel, MD, MPH
- Arika Moore, MSW, LICSW, APHSW-C
- Emily Rice, CME program manager
- Molly Taylor, MD, MS
- Amy Trowbridge, MD
- Holly Vo, MD, MPH, MSc, MA
- Aaron Wightman, MD, MA
- Benjamin Wilfond, MD
- Phoebe Winn, MD
- Haley Zetterberg, RN, BSN
Venue Information
Venue
Bell Harbor International Conference Center
2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66
Seattle, WA 98121
Telephone: 206-441-6666
Toll-Free: 888-772-4422
For information including directions to the conference center and parking, please visit the Bell Harbor International Conference Center website.
Hotel and transportation
We recommend booking accommodation in the downtown Seattle area for ease of access to the conference center. To ensure availability at your hotel of choice, consider making a reservation early. The closest hotels to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center are the Edgewater Hotel and the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.
Questions? Please call Seattle Children’s CME office at 206-987-5379.