Faculty & Staff
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Tom Tomlinson, Ph.D. |
Dr. Tomlinson is Professor in the Department of Philosophy and the Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences, where he has taught health care ethics to medical, nursing, and veterinary students since 1981. He became Director of the Center in July, 2000. Previously he served as Director of the Interdisciplinary Programs in Health and Humanities (1994-2000). He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from MSU in 1980.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Tomlinson regularly speaks to professional and public audiences on a variety of topics, including informed consent, advance directives, assisted suicide and euthanasia, organ transplantation, and others.
Dr. Tomlinson also provides consultation to Michigan hospitals and health professionals. He serves on the Ethics Committee of the Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing, and served as co-chair of the Ethics Committee at Sinai Hospital of Detroit, 1993-2000.
Current Research Interests:
His current research projects include a book for Oxford University Press on Theories and Methods in Medical Ethics; an ethnographic study of family perceptions of and care for PVS patients; the application of the concept of "futility" to decisions about the use of dialysis at the end of life; and the nature and limits of physicians' obligations to provide care for patients with deadly infectious diseases.
Recent Publications (selected):
“Futile Care in Oncology: When to Stop Trying”, The Lancet Oncology 2, December 2001, 1-2.
“Telethics and the Virtual Intensivist.” Journal of Clinical Ethics 12 (Spring) 2001:69-72.
“On Being Genetically ‘Irresponsible’” Judith Andre, Leonard Fleck, Tom Tomlinson. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, June 2000.
“Ethics Consultant: Problem Solver or Spiritual Counselor?” Human Studies. January 1999.
“Improving Our Aim.” Judith Andre, Leonard Fleck, Tom Tomlinson. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 1999 24(2), 130-147.
“Perplexed about Narrative Ethics”, in Stories and Their Limits: Narrative Approaches to Bioethics, ed. Hilde Nelson. Routledge, 1997.
“Endangered Elders: Freedom or Neglect?” in Advances in Bioethics Violence, Neglect, & the Elderly, ed. Cebik, L. B., Graber, Glenn C. Marsh, Frank H., et al. JAI Press 1996.
"Futility and Hospital Policy," Tom Tomlinson and Diane Czlonka. Hastings Center Report, May-June, 1995.
"Casuistry in Medical Ethics: Rehabilitated or Repeat Offender?" Theoretical Medicine, June 1994.
Personal Homepage:
More information can be found at Dr. Tomlinson's web site.
