The Center for Medicine, Society, and Culture, housed within the Department of Bioethics, is a pioneering interdisciplinary research and advocacy hub dedicated to exploring the multifaceted relationships between health, illness, and society.
By bridging the gap between bioethics, medical humanities, social sciences, and community wisdom, the Center for Medicine, Society, and Culture strives to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of health and illness. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with communities to develop more effective, equitable, and compassionate healthcare systems worldwide.
Our director is Eileen P. Anderson, EdD, Associate Professor of Bioethics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Anderson was recently appointed as a faculty member of the Judicial College of Ohio’s Supreme Court. As such, Dr. Anderson designs and teaches courses on child development, psychological testing, and well-being for Guardians ad Litem, or court-appointed individuals who advocate for the welfare of children in a court case.
Our mission is to examine the complex interplay of factors that influence individual and collective well-being, healthcare practices, and our understanding of health itself. We recognize that medical outcomes and health-related decisions are shaped by a diverse array of elements, including but not limited to:
- Cultural and religious beliefs
- Historical contexts
- Psychological factors
- Economic conditions
- Social structures and norms
The Center is deeply committed to working closely with the communities we serve. We believe that meaningful progress in healthcare can only be achieved through genuine partnership with those most affected by health issues.
Through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and active engagement with scholars, policymakers, healthcare providers, patients, and community members, we aim to:
1. Uncover the intricate connections between medicine, society, and culture at individual, family, community, national, and global levels.
2. Investigate how various sociocultural factors impact health outcomes, treatment acceptance, and recovery processes.
3. Develop innovative approaches to address health disparities and improve healthcare delivery across diverse populations.
4. Inform policy decisions and advocate for more holistic, culturally sensitive healthcare practices.
5. Foster interdisciplinary collaborations to gain comprehensive insights into the human experience of health and illness.
6. Actively engage with local communities to ensure our research and advocacy efforts are grounded in real-world experiences and needs.
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