Janice Firn, PhD, LMSW, HEC-C
Clinical Associate Professor of Learning Health Sciences
Medical School
Ann Arbor
MI
48109,
[email protected]

Available to mentor

Janice Firn, PhD, LMSW, HEC-C
Clinical Associate Professor
  • About
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  • Qualifications
  • Center Memberships
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
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    About

    Dr. Janice Firn is an accomplished educator and ethicist with extensive experience in ethics education and applied ethics. As a Clinical Associate Professor in Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan Medical School and Chief of Ethics Education at the Center for Bioethics & Social Sciences in Medicine, she has expertise in interprofessional ethics education, ICU ethics, and ethics consultation. Her career includes directing the Pre- and Post-Doctoral Clinical Ethics Fellowships, where she mentors future leaders in bioethics through immersive educational experiences.

    Dr. Firn's research interests emphasize applied ethics, moral distress, resilience, and clinician self-care, with a strong focus on qualitative methods. Her work is widely recognized through multiple peer-reviewed publications, national and international presentations, and various awards, such as the ASBH Cornerstone Award.

    She holds a PhD from Lancaster University, and master's degrees from the University of Michigan, for which she maintains active certifications in social work and healthcare ethics consultation. Her commitment to ethics education extends to her teaching roles across undergraduate and graduate levels, developing courses and leading seminars on professionalism, ethics, and palliative care.

    Dr. Firn is deeply involved in professional service, contributing to various ethics and palliative care committees at institutional, regional, and national levels. Her collaborative approach and mentorship have significantly influenced medical and social work fields, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex ethical challenges in healthcare.

    Links
    • Janice Firn - Google Scholar
    Qualifications
    • PhD
      Lancaster University, 2016
    • MSW
      University of Michigan, 2004
    Center Memberships
    • Center Member
      Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine
    • Center Member
      Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation
    Research Overview

    Dr. Firn’s research focuses on interprofessional education, collaboration, and decision making, and applied ethics. Her interests include clinical ethics with a focus on ethical issues in the ICU, palliative and end of life care, policy, moral distress, and qualitative methods research.

    Recent Publications See All Publications
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      When Parents Decline Medical Interventions for Adult Children with Significant Cognitive Delay: A Case Study Highlighting the Intersection of Ethics, Law, and Parental Authority
      Onadipe A, Firn J. 2025 Apr 5;
    • Journal Article
      Clinical Ethics Consultations in Cirrhosis Care
      Holman A, Solano Q, Firn J, Tapper E. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2025 Mar 1; 70 (3): 1008 - 1015. DOI:10.1007/s10620-025-08866-7
      PMID: 39921823
    • Journal Article
      “Do No Harm?” Moral Distress Among Medical Students During the Surgical Clerkship
      Humphrey CA, Aslanian RE, Bradley SE, Awan R, Millis MA, Firn J, Suwanabol PA. Journal of Surgical Education, 2025 Jan 1; 82 (1): DOI:10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.103340
      PMID: 39581162
    • Additional Scholarship
      Out-patient ethics consults differ from inpatient
      Kuberback S. 2024 Dec 3;
    • Journal Article
      Liminal Space: A Retrospective Content Analysis of Ethics Consultation for Patients Aged 18–26
      Lyons S, Freigeh GE, Matula KA, Firn JI. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2024 Nov 1; 75 (5): 743 - 749. DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.05.005
      PMID: 39007790
    • Journal Article
      Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer: ASCO Guideline Clinical Insights
      Ferrell BR, Firn JI, Temin S, Sanders JJ. JCO Oncology Practice, 2024 Oct 1; 20 (10): 1304 - 1307. DOI:10.1200/OP.24.00225
      PMID: 38748948
    • Additional Scholarship
      Palliative Care at ASBH 2024
      Firn J. Endnotes: Perspectives in Palliative Care, 2024 Sep 4;
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      Conflicts of Reciprocity in Heart Transplantation After Brain Death: Impetus in Orthodox Communities
      Wiseman E, Irfan B, Brazier LJ, Firn J. 2024 Sep 18;