Dr. Maren Monsen

Biography

Maren Monsen is a physician, filmmaker, and clinical ethicist. She directs the Program in Bioethics Film at the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, where she has produced multiple nationally and internationally broadcast documentary films. Her notable works include the Emmy-nominated documentary 'Revolutionary Optimists', which tells the story of children in Kolkata, India who are effecting grassroots change to improve global health. The film has aired on national public television and was a part of the Independent Lens series. It has also received the Hilton Sustainability Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2013 and has been screened in theaters and during policy screenings organized by UNICEF and USAID. In addition to 'Revolutionary Optimists', Monsen’s films include 'Rare', which documents a mother’s race against time to find a cure for her daughter’s rare genetic disease, and 'Worlds Apart', which addresses cross-cultural conflicts in medicine. A clinical ethics consultant at Stanford University Hospital, Monsen has contributed significantly to medical education, with her films being used in over 75% of medical schools in the U.S. She received her medical doctorate from the University of Washington and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Stanford University, as well as training in film from the London International Film School.

Research Interests