Root out antisemitism in hospitals, medical schools

Antisemitism exists in U.S. medicine — the healing profession. We educate future doctors in medical schools and residency, including in Chicago. We care about clinical skills, scientific knowledge and moral compass. A stethoscope and technical skills are not enough. They must bring humanity, moral character, agency and an unbiased lens.

Hostile environments for Jewish doctors, however, exist in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and other regions. Our recent publication reported the dramatic increase in antisemitism experienced by Jewish doctors and medical students from 40% before Oct 7, 2023, to 88% after Oct 7, 2023, with implications of risks for patient care. Faculty members at medical schools have posted vile antisemitic comments on social media.

A medical student who was appalled by the antisemitism of peers, including rationalizing the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, stated “I would never let these physicians treat my relatives.”

Antisemitic graffiti appeared on medical school buildings in San Francisco. Official social media for schools saw an increase in trainees’ hate-filled messages, and Jewish medical students have been ostracized for “supporting genocide.” At some graduation ceremonies, where they took a solemn oath, some future doctors wore antisemitic regalia, including an empty map of Israel with “Palestine” written next to it.

An effect on patients was inevitable. When Jill Biden came to UIC to support breast cancer research, protesters outside the hospital shouted with signs reading “Al Aqsa Flood,” “Resistance is Justified” — which are calls for genocide of Jews.

Patients at the University of California San Francisco Hospital were subjected to chants of “Intifada, intifada, long live intifada!” while in their hospital beds. In Chicago, boycotts of “Zionist” Jewish patients and psychologists were organized. What did patients do to deserve this?

We all should care deeply about this, for ourselves, family members and friends. It’s a matter of health, even life or death, and trust.

Keep all hate out of medicine

A centuries-old solemn oath at medical school commencement is to “… not permit … creed, ethnic origin … or any other factor to intervene between one’s professional duty and patient…" Yet patients fearing doctors with antisemitic views providing health care, however, is now an international phenomenon.

Antisemitism and hate of all kinds have no place in medicine. Taking serious responsibility for protecting patients means keeping political “fire” away from the hospital bedside and ending all hate speech.

We developed a “4 E’s” preemptive approach for health professions as a way forward. “Education” is about approaching our global citizenship as well as medical practice with evidence rather than disinformation including within social media postings.

We call for required medical education on Jewish identity, defining and addressing antisemitism, and reflection on the history of medicine during Nazism and the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. This informs professional ethics, sustaining a moral compass and recognizing how far antisemitic hate can go. Education is also needed to get the meaning of Zionism straight — the Jewish people's right to self-determination and a homeland — and cease celebrating genocidal terrorism.

Education for moral professional attitudes and actions is essential because medical board disciplinary action against doctors is strongly associated with unprofessional behavior in medical school. Further “E’s”: "engagement” in civil discourse and learning to reflect on one’s perspectives, biases and actions and “empathy” for each other at work and in patient care; and "enforcement" of codes of conduct that are part of university policy. Lack of proper enforcement risks loss of Congressional funding.

Kudos to the American Association of Pediatrics for the Oct. 7, 2024, statement by President Benjamin Hoffman condemning antisemitism: “Rising antisemitism in the United States shatters the sense of safety, identity and belonging for Jewish children and families. ... Antisemitism, like any other form of hate and bigotry, has no place in medicine." It is time for other medical institutions and schools to step up.

So in the hallowed halls of health care, it would be prudent to check not only your doctor’s credentials but also their social media posts and group affiliations. Every patient deserves a physician who upholds their oath, brings an unbiased lens to provide compassionate care, embodies professionalism and does not rationalize terrorism. Your life and the lives of those you love may depend on this.

Hedy S. Wald, Ph.D. is Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Steven Roth, MD, FARVO is Michael Reese Professor and Vice Head for Research and Faculty Affairs in the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago.

The views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chicago Sun-Times or any of its affiliates.

The Sun-Times welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds. See our guidelines.

Get Opinions content delivered to your inbox.