PD Dr Tobias Skuban-Eiseler from the Institute for History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine at Ulm University has been awarded the Dr Bertold Moos Prize for his pioneering research on vulnerable groups in medicine. The prize, endowed with 10,000 euros, recognises his outstanding scientific service performances in the field of medical ethics.

The Dr Bertold Moos Foundation has honoured PD Dr Tobias Skuban-Eiseler for his habilitation thesis on "Vulnerable Groups in Medicine". In his research, the medical ethicist was able to prove that various population groups still experience structural disadvantages in the healthcare system today. His research focuses in particular on HIV-positive people, people with mental and physical disabilities, people of different sexual orientations, older patients and trans people. In various projects, in which Tobias Skuban-Eiseler was involved alongside Professor Florian Steger and PD Dr Marcin Orzechowski from the Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, the scientist showed that these groups continue to face restrictions in accessing the healthcare system and experience discrimination in care. Tobias Skuban-Eiseler is a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy and a scientific researcher at the Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine at Ulm University.

"Equitable medical care is available to all people equally, regardless of which groups they belong to," emphasises the award winner. "My research shows that we are still a long way from genuine equal treatment." Tobias Skuban-Eiseler sees the award as a mandate to continue to make injustices in the healthcare system visible and to work on overcoming them.

The Dr Bertold Moos Prize, which is awarded every two years, honours outstanding scientific service performances in the humanities that are characterised by particular innovative potential and social relevance - especially in the fields of ethics, Philosophy, linguistics, history and theology. The project's potential for innovation, scientific and social relevance and potential for utilisation are assessed. The award-winning work not only provides a detailed analysis of existing patterns of discrimination, but also develops concrete recommendations for action to ensure equal opportunities in Medicine.

About Tobias Skuban-Eiseler
Skuban-Eiseler initially studied organ in Munich and Frankfurt/Main before going on to study Human Medicine and gain an award of a doctoral degree in Munich. He is a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy and has been the senior medical director of the Atriumhaus psychiatric emergency and crisis centre in Munich since 2022. He completed his Master's degree in Ethics at the Jesuit University of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine in Munich in 2022 and has been a scientific assistant at the Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine in Ulm since the same year.

About the Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine
The historical development of Medicine from its beginnings to the present day is at the centre of research at the Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine at Ulm University. In various projects, the researchers led by Institute Director Professor Florian Steger span the arc from antiquity to recent history. In addition, the scientists also deal with issues of medical ethics. In teaching, they impart medical history, scientific theory and medical ethics skills to students, which are indispensable for practising the medical profession.

Further information:
PD Dr Tobias Skuban-Eiseler, Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine at Ulm University, email: tobias.skuban-eiseler(at)uni-ulm.de

Text and media contact: Christine Liebhardt