Patrick Smith

Professor Smith works at the intersection of social ethics, moral philosophy, and theological bioethics. More particularly, his specific academic interests are in the areas of end-of-life care, palliative care ethics, and ethically addressing issues surrounding health and health care disparities. His work and service in bioethics and social ethics has spanned academic, professional, and community spaces.

Before coming to Duke, Professor Smith held an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School through the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. He was core faculty for the Master of Bioethics degree program offered through Harvard’s Center for Bioethics. In addition to his work with the Center for Bioethics, he was a principal faculty member for the Initiative on Health, Religion, and Spirituality, an interfaculty initiative across Harvard University.

Professor Smith has worked professionally as the ethics coordinator for Angela Hospice Care Center in Livonia, Mich. He served on the Ethics Advisory Council for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, on the board for the Hospice Palliative Care Association of Michigan, as a member of Boston Children’s Hospital’s ethics committee, and on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities.

Professor Smith’s communal and ecclesial work has included service on the board of directors of organizations working for the common good and more equitable social arrangements such as YW Boston, which aims to empower women and eliminate racism. He also contributed thought leadership by serving on the board of a community development corporation, which supports local communities through building affordable housing, engaging in advocacy work, and providing education on housing policies and practices in Mass.