November 7, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI | Converging Roads

ASHLEY K. FERNANDES, MD, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Director, Center for Bioethics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Dr. Fernandes received an MD from The Ohio State University, a PhD in Philosophy from Georgetown University, and a MA in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University, with a focus on bioethics. He directs ethics education for pediatric residents at Nationwide Children's Hospital. His scholarly interests include Catholic Christian bioethics, Medicine and the Holocaust studies, pediatric ethics, and philosophical anthropology as it relates to medical practice. He has presented his work at national and international forums, and is the author of scores of peer-reviewed publications and three book chapters. After a decade as a hospitalist, he is now an academic primary care pediatrician and has been an expert witness in court cases defending the rights of Christian healthcare professionals and prolife organizations. Dr. Fernandes is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Pediatricians, was an elected member of the AAP's national Executive Committee on Bioethics, a member of the AOA Medical Honor Society, and a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, receiving Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award twice - in 2020 and in 2010. He has been awarded OSU's highest honors for teaching, including the Award in Mentorship, Professor of the Year award, Master Teacher Award, and the Dean's Clinical Educator Award. He is an active member of the Catholic Medical Association and is part of their national speaker board. Outside of medicine, his interests include hiking in the National Parks, history, travel, and tennis. He lives with his wife and two boys in Dublin, Ohio. The views he expresses are those of his own and not those of his employers.

PAUL W. HRUZ, MD, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine

Paul W. Hruz is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Cellular Biology and Physiology at Washington University in St. Louis. Hruz received his Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Marquette University in 1987. As a member of the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, he received his Ph.D. Degree in Biochemistry in 1993 and M.D. Degree in 1994. He completed Residency training in Pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle and a Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship at Washington University. Hruz served at the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Washington University from 2012-2017. He is a member of the University's Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) Multidisciplinary Care Program. Hruz is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology. He has also received certification in Healthcare Ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific reviews and book chapters.

JOHN S. GRABOWSKI, PhD
Ordinary Professor of Moral Theology/Ethics, Catholic University of America

A native of Wisconsin, Dr. Grabowski earned his B.A. in theology at the University of Steubenville and his Ph.D. at Marquette University. For the last thirty years he has been on the faculty of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he is currently Ordinary Professor of Moral Theology/ Ethics. He and his wife were appointed to the Pontifical Council for the Family by Pope Benedict XVI in the fall of 2009 where they served as a member couple. He has served two terms as a theological advisor to the U.S.C.C.B. Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family, and Youth and one term as an advisor to the subcommittee which produced the Pastoral Letter Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan (2009). In 2015 he was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as an expert (adiutor) at the Synod of Bishops on the Family. Dr. Grabowski has published widely in the areas of moral theology, marriage, sexuality, and bioethics. His articles have appeared in scholarly journals as Nova et Vetera, The Thomist, The Heythrop Journal, and the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly as well as more popular publications such as America, Commonweal, The Living Light, and Our Sunday Visitor. His books include Sex and Virtue: An Introduction to Sexual Ethics (CUA Press, 2003), Transformed in Christ: Essays on the Renewal of Moral Theology (Sapientia Press, 2017), One Body: A Program of Marriage Formation for the New Evangelization with Claire Grabowski (Emmaus Road Press, 2018), A Catechism for Family Life with Sarah Bartel (CUA Press, 2018), and Raising Catholic Kids for Their Vocations with Claire Grabowski (TAN, 2019). Dr. Grabowski has lectured and presented at conferences across the United States. He and his wife Claire are regular guests on Greg and Lisa Popcak’s radio show More 2 Life on EWTN. They have five children, six grandchildren, and reside in the Archdiocese of Washington.

JOHANN M. D’SOUZA PhD
Founder & Clinical Psychologist, Values First Therapy, PLLC

Dr. Johann D’Souza is a clinical psychologist specializing in the science of anxiety and peak performance. His academic background, including a PhD and MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston (earned on a Presidential Fellowship), an MA from Boston University in Psychology, and a BA from the University of Dallas in Theology, combines scientific rigor and classical learning. With over 20 peer-reviewed articles, Dr. D’Souza’s research elucidates the profound psychological benefits of hope and optimism. He previously served as Head of Coaching for OptimalWork and is the host of the Virtuous Leaders show, which highlights inspiring examples of moral and professional excellence. As the founder of Values First Therapy, Dr. D'Souza unites modern psychology and traditional family values. He specializes in helping individuals overcome anxiety, OCD, and distraction, drawing on the best of cognitive-behavior therapy. As a community volunteer, he has mentored adolescents in the area of technology and character development for 15 years. You can follow his work at johanndsouza.com

JOZEF ZALOT, PHD
Director of Education & Ethicist, The National Catholic Bioethics Center

Dr. Joe Zalot is the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC). In addition to overseeing the NCBC Certification Program, Chaplaincy Program, and dual college/high school “Introduction to Catholic Health Care Ethics” course, he produces and hosts the Center’s Bioethics on Air podcast and has authored multiple statements, guides, and book chapters for NCBC publications. He also lectures for the NCBC, is interviewed by local and national media on health care ethics topics, and has responded to 2300 ethics consultations. Joe earned his PhD from Marquette University in 2002, an MEd from Boston College in 1997, an MEd from Springfield College in 1991, and a BA from St. Anselm College in 1989. He has authored two books along with numerous articles and book chapters, and has presented at academic conferences both domestically and internationally. Prior to coming to the NCBC, he served from 2015 to 2017 as the Regional Director of Ethics and Spiritual Care for Mercy Health–Cincinnati. In this role he chaired the regional ethics committee, reviewed and drafted ethics and spiritual care policies, and started a nurse ethics education program. During this time, he also served as a lecturer at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and the Athenaeum of Ohio where he taught the courses “Medical Ethics” and “Morality and Justice in Catholic Life.” From 2004 to 2009, he was an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, and from 2009 to 2015 he was an Associate Professor with tenure. At Mount St. Joseph, he taught courses in Health Care Ethics, Business Ethics, Sexual and Reproductive Ethics, and Christian Marriage. He also taught student travel courses to Rome that integrated the Catholic faith with history and art. He is married to his wife Sue (1994) and they have a daughter, Maria.

SISTER EDITH MARY HART, RSM, DO, FAAFP
Family Medicine/Geriatric Medicine

Sister Edith Mary Hart, RSM, DO is a professed member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan who have served at the Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, OK since 2000. She graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine with a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine in 2006. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at Sparrow Health System/Michigan State University in 2010 and her fellowship in Geriatric Medicine from Michigan State University in 2011 and a MA in Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2020. In 2013, she helped to co-author a white paper in the Linacre Quarterly entitled “The POLST paradigm and form: Facts and analysis”, and in 2017 “The Sisters of Mercy in the Crimean War: Lessons for Catholic Health Care.” In 2020, she was made a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Medicine. Sister Edith Mary is currently serving at the Warren Clinic in Muskogee, OK and at the Marian Clinic in Broken Arrow, OK. She is an active member of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) and is currently serving on the Medical Student Boot Camp subcommittee and is a local member of the Tulsa CMA Guild.

MOST REV. JEFFREY R. HAINES
Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Most Reverend Jeffrey R. Haines was born October 6, 1958. He attended Holy Apostles Parish and Grade School, New Berlin, and graduated from New Berlin West High School in 1977. He began his college studies at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh before transferring and graduating from Marquette University in 1981 with a degree in theology. Bishop Haines attended Saint Francis de Sales Seminary for graduate theological studies from 1981-1985, earning a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 1985, by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B. After ordination, Bishop Haines was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Nicholas, Milwaukee. In 1987, he was given additional responsibilities as Associate Pastor of Holy Redeemer Church, Milwaukee. In 1991, he was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Eugene Parish, Fox Point. In 1996, he was appointed Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, West Bend. In 2002, he was granted temporary leave to study canon law at Catholic University. However, he returned within the year to become Temporary Administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Whitewater. In 2003, he returned as Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, West Bend, and was given additional responsibility as Assisting Priest of Immaculate Conception/St. Mary’s, West Bend in 2004. In 2011, he was appointed Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee, and remained in that position until 2023. Most Reverend Haines was named Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Pope Francis on January 25, 2017. Additionally, Bishop Haines was three times elected moderator of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and currently is a member of the College of Consultors. He also served on the Archdiocesan Synod Preparatory Commission and the Archdiocesan Synod Implementation Commission. He is respected by fellow clergy and parishioners alike for his pastoral and leadership skills. Born in Milwaukee to Jim and Maureen (“Mo”) Haines, Bishop Haines grew up with two brothers and one sister.

7:30 AM	Check-In Begins
8:00 AM	Mass
9:15 AM	Opening Remarks
9:25 - 10:25 AM	The Witness of Hippocratic Medicine in a Secular Culture
10:35 - 11:35 AM	Human Dignity and Human Flourishing in Medicine
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM	Gender Dysphoria: Science, Ideology, and Ethics
12:45 - 2:20 PM	Hippocratic Oath Luncheon
1:15 - 2:15 PM	The Ethical and Religious Directives on Care for the Dying
2:20 - 2:40 PM	Break
2:40 - 3:40 PM	The Vocation to Health Care in a Secular Culture
3:50 - 4:50 PM	Technology and the Mental Health Crisis in Adolescents
4:50 PM	Closing Remarks
5:00 - 5:45 PM	Wine & Cheese Reception

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TOPICS

The Witness of Hippocratic Medicine in a Secular Culture

Human Dignity and Human Flourishing in Medicine

Gender Dysphoria: Science, Ideology, and Ethics

The Ethical and Religious Directives on Care for the Dying

The Vocation to Health Care in a Secular Culture

Technology and the Mental Health Crisis in Adolescents

SCHEDULE

7:30 AM

8:00 AM

9:15 AM

9:25 - 10:25 AM

10:35 - 11:35 AM

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

12:45 - 2:20 PM

1:15 - 2:15 PM

2:20 - 2:40 PM

2:40 - 3:40 PM

3:50 - 4:50 PM

4:50 PM

5:00 - 5:45 PM

Speakers

ASHLEY K. FERNANDES, MD, PhDProfessor of Pediatrics and Associate Director, Center for Bioethics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine

PAUL W. HRUZ, MD, PhDProfessor of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine

JOHN S. GRABOWSKI, PhDOrdinary Professor of Moral Theology/Ethics, Catholic University of America

JOHANN M. D’SOUZA PhD Founder & Clinical Psychologist, Values First Therapy, PLLC

JOZEF ZALOT, PHD Director of Education & Ethicist, The National Catholic Bioethics Center

SISTER EDITH MARY HART, RSM, DO, FAAFPFamily Medicine/Geriatric Medicine

MOST REV. JEFFREY R. HAINESAuxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

SPONSORS

Venue

Marquette University

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