Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice

Dr. Nico Nortjé has been involved with ethics training and research for the past two decades. Nico has a doctorate in Applied Ethics from the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and also holds two masters degrees one in Psychology (cum laude) and one in Future Studies (Business) from the same university. He also has a post-graduate diploma in Clinical Counselling from the University of Glasgow (Scotland) and another post-graduate diploma from the University of Pretoria in Medical Law. Nico is a clinical ethicist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center, where he focuses on facilitating goal concordant care of patients. In this role he applies theory to practice and is also involved in professional ethics development of health care providers. His research focus is on end-of-life ethics and the intersection of decision-making in the Intensive Care Units. 

Dr. Johan Bester is the Director of Bioethics at the UNLV School of Medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada. He teaches bioethics, epidemiology, and evidence-based medicine and provides oversight to ethics content throughout the curriculum. His research focuses on pediatric ethics, vaccination ethics, issues related to autonomy, and justice. Dr. Bester completed his medical degree at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He practiced medicine for 12 years before making a switch to full-time bioethics. This included completing a Master’s degree and PhD in Applied Ethics. Prior to joining the UNLV School of Medicine, he completed a year of fellowship training in bioethics at Cleveland Clinic and worked an additional year as bioethicist at the Clinic. Johan writes extensively on issues related to the health and wellbeing of children, vaccinations, and justice.