HCEC Certification Commission

The HCEC Certification Commission comprises experts and leaders in clinical healthcare ethics consultation. The Commission brings crucial content expertise to the table and reflects the diversity of healthcare ethics consultants' roles across the healthcare spectrum. This experienced panel is responsible for developing the essential elements of a certification program, including selecting a testing company, selecting item writers for an entry-level exam based on the role delineation study, determining eligibility criteria, and developing policies and procedures to guide the commission’s work.

The following individuals have been appointed to the 2024-2025 HCEC Certification Commission:

Lucia D. Wocial, PhD RN FAAN HEC-C, Chair
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Washington, DC 

Elizabeth Epstein, PhD RN HEC-C FAAN
University of Virginia School of Nursing 
Charlottesville, VA 

Leslie A. Kuhnel, DBe HEC-C
CommonSpirit Health Midwest Division 
Omaha, NE 

Tim Lahey, MD MMSc HEC-C
University of Vermont Medical Center 
Burlington, VT

Hilary Mabel, JD HEC-C
Emory University Center for Ethics
Atlanta, GA

Deirdre Mercer, LBSW QIDP QMHP
Community Living Services 
Rochester Hills, MI

Stephanie Van Slyke, MBE RN HEC-C
Munson Medical Center 
Traverse City, MI