Kenneth Richman

Kenneth Richman, PhD is a Professor of Philosophy and Health Care Ethics at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in the School of Arts and Sciences. He serves as Chair of the Institutional Review Board and Vice-Chair of the Medical Humanities Interest Group. Dr. Richman maintains active affiliations with the American Philosophical Association (including its Committee on Philosophy and Medicine), American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, Boston Academic Bioethicists Roundtable, and the Hume Society.

Education:

• PhD, Rutgers University
• MA, Rutgers University
• BA, Haverford College

Dr. Richman's research centers on Bioethics with particular focus on neurodiversity ethics, having published peer-reviewed articles on ethics and autism and delivered specialized training for neurotypical individuals. His work in Responsible Conduct of Research addresses ethical challenges in academic settings, while his scholarship in Philosophy of Medicine explores foundational concepts of health. His expertise extends to Early Modern Philosophy as evidenced by his editorial introductions to works by Francis Bacon and David Hume. He also provides valuable insight into working with members of the Jewish community.

Analysis of Dr. Richman's publications reveals a consistent pattern of bridging philosophical theory with practical healthcare applications. His work spans antimicrobial ethics, end-of-life decision making, research ethics with indigenous communities, pharmacy practice ethics, and treatment goal setting. The progression from his 2004 MIT Press monograph "Ethics and the Metaphysics of Medicine" through subsequent journal articles demonstrates increasing engagement with interdisciplinary applications of philosophical ethics in healthcare settings.

Scientific Awards:

• MCPHS Faculty Research Award: Scholarship of Discovery
• Who's Who Among American Teachers (1996, 2004)
• MCPHS Faculty Service Award: One-year Service (2006-2007)
• Faculty Service Award: One-year Service (2006-2007)

As Institutional Review Board Chair, Dr. Richman oversees ethical review of human subjects research at MCPHS, directly applying his bioethics expertise to institutional governance. His role as Vice-Chair of the Medical Humanities Interest Group demonstrates commitment to interdisciplinary approaches in healthcare education. His development of the Health Humanities BA program reflects his dedication to integrating philosophical perspectives into healthcare training. Dr. Richman's collaborative work, particularly with Leslie B. Alexander on research ethics topics, highlights his ability to work across disciplinary boundaries to address complex ethical challenges in academic and clinical settings.

Dr. Richman maintains active participation in professional communities through the Boston Academic Bioethicists Roundtable and his committee work with the American Philosophical Association, ensuring his research remains connected to broader philosophical and bioethical discourse. His office location in Fennell 217, Boston, places him at the heart of MCPHS's academic operations.