Dr. Shoshanah Trachtenberg Frackman Essay Competition

Montefiore Einstein Center for Bioethics
Dr. Shoshanah Trachtenberg Frackman

Our annual essay contest is named in memory of Dr. Shoshanah Trachtenberg Frackman, an Alumna of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Class of 1983. Following her untimely death in 1990, her family endowed a fund in her honor to support the study of biomedical ethics in the aim of furthering her ideals. Undergraduate students currently enrolled in any U.S. or Canadian college or university are eligible to submit an essay based on this year’s theme. Three essays will be selected and may be published on our website and social media platforms with monetary awards of $1,000 (first place), $750 (second place), and $250 (third place).

For our 2025-2026 essay competition, we invite students to submit an essay exploring an issue or examining a question related to the topic of conscientious objection. Is conscientious objection ethically justifiable if/when it conflicts with legal or professional obligations? Essay must explore and discuss the ethical, legal, and societal implications of allowing individuals to refuse duties based on moral or spiritual beliefs and consider how society should balance personal conscience with the common good. Students should use ethical theories and examples to support their arguments and counterarguments.

• Our essay competition is open to students who are currently enrolled, either full-time or part-time, in an undergraduate program (associate’s or bachelor’s degree) at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.
• Students may only submit one essay, and it must be based on assigned theme of conscientious objection.
• Students should present their essay topic in the form of a thesis statement with well-structured argument(s) supported by applicable ethical frameworks or ethical theories. Essays should also identify and respond to relevant counterarguments.
• Essays must be student applicant’s original work with expectation that any works consulted will be properly cited.
• Essays should be approximately 800 to 1,200 words in length (citations not included in word count).
• Essays must be submitted as an attached word document or pdf from your college/university email account.
• Email submissions must include student’s full name and telephone number as well as the name of your college/university, the degree program you are enrolled in, and your academic year in school.

Essay must be submitted via email to patrick.herron@einsteinmed.edu no later than 5:00pm (ET) on Friday, January 16th, 2026. Please include “STF Essay Competition” in the subject line of your email.