In a moment highlighting the often-unseen heroes of healthcare, Dr. Jeff Farroni, Professor at the Institute for Bioethics & Health Humanities and Director of the Institutional Ethics Program at UTMB Health Galveston Campus, has been honored with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Health Services Division Award. The prestigious recognition came during the 30th Annual Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards held in Austin on April 24, 2025.
As a bioethicist with expertise spanning both scientific research and law, Dr. Farroni has devoted his career to navigating complex ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings. His unique background—combining a PhD in Medical Sciences with a law degree—enables him to bring multifaceted perspectives to his work at the School of Public and Population Health, where he helps shape the next generation of public health professionals.
Pandemic Response Reveals Need for Provider Support
Dr. Farroni's award acknowledges his exceptional work developing a program that addresses moral distress, burnout, and compassion fatigue among healthcare workers serving incarcerated populations. Drawing on his extensive experience facilitating difficult conversations around ethical challenges in patient care, he created a structured approach to support healthcare professionals facing unique stressors in correctional settings.
"Part of our job as clinical ethicists is to create spaces for meaningful dialogue when things fall apart," explains Dr. Farroni, who routinely leads ethics consultations throughout UTMB's healthcare system. "We're often called when there's been miscommunication, personality conflicts, or relational breakdown—many of the same challenges that contribute to burnout."
The program that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a structured support system within TDCJ.
From left, Director of Chaplaincy and Volunteer Services Chris Carter, TDCJ Chairman Eric Nichols, Health Services Division Award recipient Dr. Jeff Farroni, and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier.
Image credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Collaborative Effort Extends Support to Correctional Facilities
The origin of Dr. Farroni's award-winning work traces back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While fulfilling his primary role conducting ethics consultations for bedside care dilemmas, Dr. Farroni recognized a gap in support services for correctional healthcare providers.
With colleague Dr. Tammy Cupit, a nursing research leader, he initiated moral distress debriefings throughout UTMB's hospital system, later expanding to reach correctional healthcare staff across Texas. Working with mental health leadership within various districts, they established the RISE (Resiliency in Stressful Events) committee, coordinating telehealth visits to infirmaries statewide.
"Clinical ethicists help create a culture where discussing difficult ethical issues becomes natural," Dr. Farroni noted, drawing on his daily work facilitating conversations between patients, families, and healthcare teams. "This same approach works when supporting healthcare providers through their own moral challenges."
Grassroots Initiative Gains Institutional Support
What distinguishes Dr. Farroni's contribution is how a voluntary effort transformed into structural change. His background developing ethical frameworks for complex healthcare environments proved invaluable in creating a sustainable wellness program.
During a meeting with correctional managed care leadership in Conroe, Texas, Dr. Owen Murray, Senior Vice President, Correctional Managed Care (CMC), was impressed by the program and advocated for formalizing it with dedicated resources. Now known as the Support Engage Retain & Value Employee (SERVE) Committee, it aims to enhance overall wellbeing for all CMC employees and is composed of dedicated folks from all regions of the system and central administration.
Recognition Highlights Importance of Healthcare Worker Wellbeing
At the ceremony, Dr. Farroni joined twenty-one other honorees recognized for their contributions to the criminal justice system. The annual Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards ceremony celebrates individuals whose service makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those in the criminal justice system.
For Dr. Farroni, whose daily work includes teaching ethics to various learners and trainees, consulting on difficult clinical cases, and developing institutional ethical guidelines, the recognition has been both overwhelming and humbling. He credits the many colleagues who helped implement the program, particularly the correctional healthcare workers themselves.
"Some of the most inspiring people providing care for the carceral population I've ever met work in that environment," Dr. Farroni reflected. "These are folks that are so dedicated. Many of them talk about a calling to serve. In a way, the privilege is mine to be able to work with and collaborate with some of these folks."
The award honors Dr. Farroni's contributions while highlighting how clinical ethics can transform healthcare environments by fostering dialogue, building trust, and addressing moral distress to support those who care for vulnerable populations.
Have news or an event to share? Email SPPHmarketing@utmb.edu with your story ideas.