Holly Fernandez Lynch, JD, is the recipient of the 2026 Bernard Lo, MD Award in Bioethics. The award recognizes Prof. Fernandez Lynch for bridging division through bioethics and conveys a cash prize of $25,000.
“At a time when it seems increasingly difficult to engage with perspectives different than our own, Holly reminds us that progress often comes from listening carefully, remaining open to challenge, and leaning in even when the path forward is uncomfortable,” said Michelle Groman, JD, President & CEO of The Greenwall Foundation. “Through her scholarship, engagement with policymakers, and allyship, she reminds us all how bioethics can help foster meaningful dialogue and generate practical solutions across difference.”
An Associate Professor of Medical Ethics and Law at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Prof. Fernandez Lynch’s scholarly work focuses on U.S. Food and Drug Administration pharmaceutical and biotechnology policy, especially approaches to drug development and early approval pathways for diseases with unmet treatment needs. Her scholarship has led to deep engagement with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community, and as a result, she has become a trusted resource for the advocacy community and a respected voice in ongoing debates.
“The field of bioethics is driven by deep divides around high-stakes, life-and-death issues—and the stakes couldn’t be higher for those affected by ALS,” Prof. Fernandez Lynch said. “But when we’re willing to come together with an open mind to learn from each other, that’s when we’re most likely to get ‘unstuck’ and make real progress. I’m grateful to the ALS advocates who reached across our divides to call me in and collaborate on key problems facing this community.”
The Greenwall Foundation established the Lo Award to honor Dr. Lo’s service to The Greenwall Foundation as its President & CEO from 2012 to 2020 and founding Director of the Foundation’s flagship Faculty Scholars Program. The Lo Award is given annually and recognizes a different area of accomplishment in bioethics each year.
Hear more from Prof. Fernandez Lynch about her work with the ALS community and how bioethics can help to bridge divides in the latest installment of our Bioethics & video series: