By Phillip Martin
All Things Considered
Hundreds of doctors around the country are rallying around two physicians who were the targets of a recent neo-Nazi demonstration outside Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The group falsely accused Dr. Michelle Morse and Dr. Bram Wispelwey of denying medical treatment to white patients because of their efforts to establish equity in health care for people of color.
An open letter published on Medium authored by a group of Boston doctors under the heading Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity has garnered more than 500 signatures of doctors across the United States. Online forums have also been organized with the goal of “leveling the racial and ethnic playing field in medicine,” and supporting both Morse, a former Brigham and Women’s resident who now works for the New York City Health Department and teaches at the Harvard Medical School, and Wispelwey, a Brigham and Women’s physician who also teaches at Harvard Medical School.
“The letter was a grassroots effort by a number of local physicians to respond to the threats that were made against our colleagues and to the appearance of some very frightening elements outside our hospital,” said Dr. Regina Larocque, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “I think we’re at a moment in our country when we really have to face up to the structural racism and inequities that we have in many elements of our society, including in our medical system. And it’s hard work to do that and it’s threatening to some people, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing it.”
Mass General Brigham CEO and President Dr. Anne Klibanski sent an email to staff over the weekend stating: “At Mass General Brigham, we denounce racism, bigotry and hatred in all its forms. We stand United Against Racism and in solidarity with our colleagues across our system who are leading these critical efforts and moving them forward. Despite these latest events, this work will not be deterred, nor will our commitment to providing equitable, exceptional healthcare to all.”