I Thought Medicine Would Continue to Stand for Excellence. I was Wrong.
Receiving notice that Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the medical school honor society, is changing its criteria for nomination from achievement, scholarship, and excellence to be more inclusive, diverse and equitable to me is extremely disappointing. I believe that in a melting pot nation we should evaluate individuals by their accomplishments and character, NOT by their physical appearance.
Graduating college as a chemical engineer I needed extra time to take a series of required biology courses to be able to apply to medical school. I was accepted and excelled in both basic and clinical sciences, was awarded a full tuition scholarship and admitted to AOA during my junior year. This recognition of academic excellence was extremely rewarding. In medical school and throughout my residency it was emphasized that we had to earn the right to care for the sick and to do so was an honor. We needed a combination of heightened compassion and a deep knowledge of medical science to be able to best serve patients. You were expected to treat every patient as if they were the most important person you will ever meet. Social status, race, nationality, religious conviction was not to be considered. This was the ideal that we were to strive for every day.
The idea of minimizing excellence to favor race and ethnic background is not only in academia, but has now spread to industry, entertainment, politics, and in this case academic honor medical societies. This excuse to avoid pursuing excellence has been festering in our society for decades as described by Professor Vedder in an essay titled, Can the U.S. Become Exceptional Again? He focused on five examples: a sharply declining work ethic, a decreased sense of fiscal responsibility, a growing disrespect for laws, rules and religious commandments, a decline in respect for free markets and a rising collectivism that erodes investment and entrepreneurship, and a rise in ignorance. He added, “American universities are subordinating academic achievement to ideology while constricting free expression – the lifeblood of intellectual advancement and prosperity” (Ref.1). Further dividing our nation is the obsession of several scholars on the past evils of slavery and colonialism while denying any of the accomplishments of those of European decent. This has given rise to critical race theory that characterizes people by race, NOT as individuals, while criticizing what they call white privilege. Instead of seeking a color- and ethnic-blind society concentrating on individual merits, this philosophy calls for diversity, inclusion and equity based on race or ethnicity (Ref.2).
Medicine has not been immune to this anti-individual race-based attack on our belief system. Western culture through individual effort and excellence has produced just about every medical advance that we now take for granted. Yet the American Medical Association, the American Association of Medical Colleges, medical societies and journals are now decrying white privilege and thus the need to prioritize minority participation lessening the emphasis on accomplishment. Medical schools and national boards have adopted pass/fail grading minimizing the pursuit of excellence (Ref.3,4). Major corporations are pretending to stand for diversity, inclusion, and equity, currying favor to promote their own gains (Ref.5).
The World Health Organization places healthcare low on the list of factors that determine one’s health. Issues such a, genetics, income, educational level, family, and friends are far more important (Ref.6). Instead of pandering to present-day “wokeness” the leaders of medicine if they wish to enter the social dialogue should focus on improving the educational level of all Americans, especially those who are “disadvantaged”. This would significantly improve their health. The rigorousness of the medical curriculum should be strengthened to emphasize compassion and excellence in accumulating scientific knowledge to be individualized for each patient.
- D Vedder, Can the U.S. Become Exceptional Again? It would take a renewed respect for work, laws, fiscal responsibility, enterprise and education, WSJ, August 20, 2022, available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-the-us-become-exceptional-again-fiscal-responsibility-education-law-and-order-work-ethic-free-markets-output-deficit-religion-innovation-11660935604 (accessed August 23, 2022)
- Douglas Murray, The War on the West, Harper Collins, 195 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10007, 2022, ISBN 9780063162020
- Do No Harm Staff, Must Read: The Corruption of Medicine, Do No Harm, August 9, 2022, available at: https://donoharmmedicine.org/2022/08/09/must-read-the-corruption-of-medicine/ (accessed August 28, 2022)
- The Editorial Board, Corrupting Medical Education – The Reaction to Dr. Goldfarb’s op-ed proves his point, Wall Street Journal, September 15,2019, available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/corrupting-medical-education-11568578153 (accessed April 25, 2019)
- Vivek Ramaswamy, Woke Inc: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam, Center Street, August 17, 2021, ISBN 1800751176
- Determinants of health, World Health Organization, February 3, 2017, available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health (accessed August 29, 2022)
Folks. This is not new. When I matriculated in a large state Med school in ’78 we were aware then there were racial quotas. One could be “white and bright” but that they weren’t “black and lacked” (basic knowledge). The med school even had tutoring classes for the chosen minority so they wouldn’t be left behind. That REALLY left vulgarity in the white student’s craw. They should have opened up the tutoring sessions to everyone not “just” black students. Would have lead to helpful social interaction between the different students and in reality, most whites wouldn’t have attended anyways. Not out of racial distaste but most had their own study techniques that worked for them and didn’t need a tutoring class. If it was open to “anyone” it would have softened the blow of “preferential treatment” that was perceived by white students and would be more constructive. White students having some studying issues could be helped by minority (Black) professors and students in the tutoring sessions. I believe that would result in respect and friendship all the way around and better relations. It was a blown opportunity back then.
One thing about being of the osteopathic persuasion.
We’re all AOA
Fred, Totally agree, Ken
Wow. How disappointing. Inclusion criteria for AOA should be based primarily on academic achievement. Race, religion, etc should play no role. We all knew students that had a finger in every pie, so to speak– community service out the wazoo- but just were not capable of being in the top 10% of the class. It’s medicines version of everyone gets a trophy I guess
No one here wants to touch this? Crickets….. Unusual silence from Natalie Newman. Her customary l-o-o-o-n-g- diatribe in response that everyone applauds?