Al Johns '25

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What is your undergraduate major?

Religious Studies

What contributed to your decision to pursue a bioethics education at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½?

Initially, I interpreted the bioethics minor as a fun and interesting intermediary between my passion for religious studies and public health. As I went through the courses, I found that they were some of my favorite classes! I loved learning about different professions in the humanities that support and advocate for patients. I pursued to Bioethics minor because BIPOC patients have disproportionate poor health outcomes and this is an issue that can be addressed by applying bioethical frameworks to patient care theory and practice. The minor coursework gave me the tools to learn about biomedicine's historical foundations in violence against oppressed groups such as Black, Indigenous, and immigrant patients; as well as women, LGBTQ+ patients, and people suffering from mental illnesses. Many outdated and inappropriate figures have been brought to public criticism such as James Marion Sims who is no longer hailed as the Father of Gynecology despite his abuse and medical experimentation on enslaved women in the 1840s. Still, there are opportunities for applying bioethical and anti-oppressive frameworks to biomedicine to address current issues in patient care, as well as to hold medical professionals accountable for social determinants of health and securing long term health outcomes.

What has been the most impactful or your favorite part of the program?

The most impactful moment in the program was visiting the Dittrick Medical History Center with a BETH class and seeing discomforting medical instruments and strategies that physicians utilized. The preservation of medical history is critical to driving the discipline in a progressive direction.

What are your plans for after graduation and how will you utilize the skills and knowledge learned during your program to pursue these goals?

I am currently in my first year of the MSW at MSASS. My concentration is community practice for social change and I intend to work as a perinatal social worker. The bioethics minor emphasized the importance of narratives and active listening with clients/patients and this is a skill that I have transferred into my social work practice. As I work with parents, I want to ensure that they feel respected when they are interacting with health professionals.

If you could give yourself one piece of advice when you were considering this program, what would it be?

I would recommend that students connect with the bioethics department beyond attending classes. They always share opportunities for employment, volunteering, study abroad, and social engagement with students.

What is your favorite part about living and learning in Cleveland?

I was born and raised in Cleveland before having the opportunity to attend ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for my undergrad and grad degrees. I love the city because of all of the opportunities for community engagement and personal growth. The city is so big that there is never a shortage of projects that need attention.