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Eligibility 

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a terminal degree in an academic or professional discipline with preference given to candidates with doctorates in bioethics, philosophy, theology, nursing, behavioral sciences, social sciences, medicine or law.
• Have experience participating in clinical ethics consultations or relevant clinical disciplines.
• Be able to demonstrate written, and verbal communication skills and conflict resolution.
• Able to work collaboratively and independently.

Application Process

To apply, email Mrs. Carla Robles (Program Coordinator) at CPRobles@mdanderson.org with the following material:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. One page Letter of intent. This must include the following:
   • Why are you interested in the fellowship?
   • What do you bring to clinical ethics consultations?
   • What experiences have prepared you for this fellowship?
3. Official transcripts from highest degree (original must be sent directly from the accrediting university to the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care c/o Mrs. Carla Robles).

If a candidate¡¯s application moves to the second round of interviews, they will need to provide three letters of references signed on official letterhead. Details will be provided to candidates selected.  

Timeline

1. Application Opens: Aug. 1, 2025
2. Application Closes: Oct. 1, 2025
3. Interview of shortlisted candidates and Selection: October-November 2025
   • Video interview with the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care¡¯s Fellowship Director
   • Video interview with faculty of the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care
   • One-on-one interview with senior fellow
4. Formal Offer: December 2025

The goal of this fellowship is to teach the requisite and advanced competencies and skills necessary to become a proficient healthcare ethics consultant. Fellows will undergo a structured and guided participatory program with training in the clinical setting on communication, leading family meetings, and conducting adult and pediatric ethics consultations.

The objectives of this fellowship are:

• Demonstrate competencies in clinical ethics consultations: consultation process, documentation, communication, and conducting family meetings.
• Be able to build and lead a clinical ethics consultation service or program.
• Create and implement research and quality improvement (QI) projects.
• Be competitive for a position as a professional clinical ethicist or as a faculty member in bioethics.

Year 1

Month 1-2: Orientation and Foundations 

Goals: Introduction to clinical ethics service and familiarization with hospital, cancer care, electronic health record (EHR) and policies.
Activities: Orientation sessions and shadowing with experienced clinical ethicists. 

Month 3-6: Core Competencies 

Goals: Develop core competencies and skills for healthcare ethics consultation.
Activities: Training in communication, family meetings, and conflict resolution.

Month 7-8: Research and Scholarship 

Goals: Engage in ethics-related research and scholarship.
Activities: Identifying research topics, literature review, and drafting research proposals.

Month 9-10: Teaching and Education 

Goals: Develop teaching skills and course development.
Activities: Developing educational materials, creating course content, and teaching.

Month 11-12: Professional Development 

Goals: Develop and refine professional skills.
Activities:  CV review, job interviewing, and media training.

Heather Vincent, Ph.D., MSN, RN 
Assistant Professor: Critical Care Medicine

Clinical and Research Interests
Moral Distress among interprofessional teams, social determinants of health driving readmissions within 30-days of discharge, and use of aggressive therapy practices at end of life. 

Most Recent Publications
Cole, L., Mackavey, C., Ramaswamy, P., Mullassery, D., DeJoya, A., & Vincent, H. (2023).? Development of a Moral Resilience Collaborative Program During a Pandemic.??Holistic Nursing Practice 37(4): 180-183.? doi.org/

Karen Terrell, MBA/HCM
Program Director: Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care 

Clinical and Research Interests
Goal Concordant Care, AI in Healthcare, Clinical Ethics Consultation Data Review, and Ethical Case Studies

Most Recent Publication
Improving Goal-Concordant Care in Intensive Care Unit Admissions from the Emergency Department in a Comprehensive Cancer Center ()

Carla P. Robles 
Program Coordinator: Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care 

Clinical and Research Interests
Cultural Ethics and Oncology, Moral Distress, Ethical Climate, Goals of Care, Parental Decision-Making.

At the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care, fellows gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting alongside faculty and staff in advancing their clinical ethics consultation skills while contributing to the care of cancer patients at a world-renowned cancer center. Fellows benefit from the Academic Mentoring Program, which supports professional growth at every stage of their development.

This fellowship program focuses on supporting fellows by providing funding for conferences, educational resources, and professional development opportunities. Professional development includes opportunities for personalized guidance in grant writing and research, as well as assistance to help trainees excel in their careers as health care ethics consultants.

This fellowship is among the highest paying clinical ethics fellowship in the United States. The Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care ensures fair and competitive stipends through annual reviews aligned with MD Anderson¡¯s policy, which match stipend levels to each fellow¡¯s postgraduate experience.

Fellows hold full-time, exempt positions with monthly pay. Fellows will also receive insurance benefits and paid time off and will be enrolled in the Texas Retirement System (TRS) on their date of hire.

We promote a strong culture of wellness, providing trainees with full access to workforce wellness resources, including  access to MD Anderson¡¯s , nutrition videos, complimentary fitness center memberships, financial guidance, a variety of life-enhancing tools, and national employee discounts.

Beyond MD Anderson

MD Anderson¡¯s location has many benefits, too. Our main campus is nestled inside the Texas Medical Center, the world¡¯s largest medical center which boasts about 10 million patient encounters each year. Many of our faculty are involved in interorganizational research collaborations, both within the TMC and across the nation, exposing trainees to groundbreaking advancements in medical care in real time.

Most importantly, the city of Houston is a great place to call home and raise a family. We are one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. More than 145 different languages are spoken across the city, placing us behind only New York and Los Angeles. In fact, about 30% of the city¡¯s population speaks a language other than English at home. And, paychecks here stretch farther than most U.S. metro areas, thanks to our low cost of living.

Visit our Why Houston page to learn more about our city¡¯s affordable housing, fine dining, entertainment scene, nationally renowned museums and other great attributes.