Aleksy Tarasenko-Struc, Ph.D., an assistant professor of philosophy at Seton Hall University and director of its Medical Humanities Program, has recently published several articles in leading academic journals. His recent work includes articles in the European Journal of Philosophy, Bioethics, Neuroethics, and The Philosophical Quarterly. Tarasenko-Struc completed his doctorate at Harvard University and previously served as a clinical ethics fellow at Albany Medical College.
Tarasenko-Struc says that the unifying theme in his research is dehumanization. “They are each about a different facet or different form of dehumanization, but that’s one thing that they have in common.” He emphasizes that dehumanization is not just a psychological issue but also a moral one.
He believes that understanding dehumanization can help improve moral philosophy. “I think it can also enhance our repertoire of conceptual tools,” he says, “so it can, in that way, change the way we think about morality.” He adds that his research influences his teaching: “Some of my research does shape the way I approach the course I teach.”
Tarasenko-Struc teaches biomedical ethics at both introductory and advanced levels. In the upcoming semester, he plans to incorporate experiential learning by having students observe healthcare providers in real-world settings. “I’ll be teaching a more advanced course in biomedical ethics that has an experiential learning component, requiring students to go to healthcare sites and actually observe providers working in the field.”
He also leads Seton Hall’s Medical Humanities Program. When he took over as director, there were seven students enrolled; now there are 32. “So the program is really growing. It’s growing strong.” He attributes this growth to institutional support and ongoing curriculum development aimed at meeting student needs. “We’ve redesigned the curriculum to make it easier for students to find really interesting and helpful courses,” he says.
Tarasenko-Struc describes the program as beneficial for future healthcare workers because it offers new perspectives shaped by ethics and humanities. “It gives them a new set of lenses to bring to their calling as healthcare workers,” including “a lens specifically informed by ethics and the humanities more broadly.” He continues to work on expanding and improving the program.
Explaining what this perspective provides students practically, Tarasenko-Struc states: “It helps students by giving them a deeper, more reflective and more nuanced view of health and healthcare,” adding that technical expertise alone is not enough for healthcare professionals. Understanding social factors is also essential: “You have to understand not just the biological and chemical facts about people, but also a range of social facts,” he says.
He notes that this foundation can benefit students during medical school interviews where ethical questions are often discussed. Those with prior training tend to perform better: “Students who take a course like mine, or who more generally have a complex, well-thought-out view of the ethical and social aspects of healthcare, do a much better job in those interviews,” he adds.
Through these efforts, Tarasenko-Struc aims to fulfill Seton Hall’s mission by encouraging students to develop intellect alongside character as they prepare for careers in healthcare.
