Prof. Ruth R. Faden Receives the Bernard Lo, MD Award in Bioethics for Excellence in Bioethics Mentorship

Ruth R. Faden, PhD, is the recipient of the 2025 Bernard Lo, MD Award in Bioethics. The award recognizes Prof. Faden for excellence in bioethics mentorship and conveys a cash prize of $25,000.

“Prof. Faden’s mentorship is exceptional for its breadth and reach across backgrounds and disciplines,” said Michelle Groman, JD, President & CEO of The Greenwall Foundation. “She has dedicated her career to lifting up the next generation of bioethics professionals, who continue to pay it forward as outstanding mentors themselves. It’s not surprising; they have certainly learned from one of the best.” 

Prof. Faden has had a profound impact on the bioethics field. A professor of biomedical ethics, she founded the Berman Institute of Bioethics at Johns Hopkins University more than 25 years ago, creating a home for countless students, trainees, and scholars. Her accomplishments are many, but as one of her mentees attested, her role as mentor may rank supreme. 

“I was thrilled, and a bit overcome,” Prof. Faden said on receiving the award. “Being a mentor continues to be the most precious, and rewarding, part of my career. Playing a role, however small, in a talented person’s succeeding in bioethics is a gift, for me.” 

Prof. Faden has nurtured an entire ecosystem of bioethics professionals and guided them into a wide range of careers in the field. She has empowered her mentees to make meaningful contributions to bioethics and continue her legacy of thoughtful and generous mentorship. 

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. Faden about the importance of mentorship in bioethics in the latest installment of our Bioethics & video series: