OPINION: Identity politics trumping science, achievement to detriment of higher ed
Race and gender are a big deal at the Duke University School of Medicine – and not solely for the purpose of diagnosing and treating patients’ medical problems.
The focus is ideological, and some warn it’s leading to worse medical care.
Among the many examples, Duke has been highlighting “underrepresented minority students” in its incoming classes in recent years.
A news release this week welcoming new students to the North Carolina institution says their MD class has “78 Women; 40 Men, and 1 Other.”
The “other” isn’t explained, but presumably the student “identifies” as another gender or genderless. Of all professions, medical doctors should be the ones most familiar with the human body and the fact that there are only two sexes. But ideology trumps science.
In 2023, the medical school also highlighted new MD students based on their demographics. Of the 112 students, there were:
78 Women, 32 Men, 1 Other
30 Underrepresented Minority Students
35 States Represented
The university did the same with its physical therapy, physician assistant, and other medical programs, listing the number of students by their sex (including “other” and “unspecified”) and their “minority” status. No explanation as to how Duke classifies students as minorities.
And in 2022, the university bragged – not about students’ exceptional talents or achievements – but that more than 70 percent of the year’s incoming class were women and 29 percent were “from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.”
The medical school’s main webpage and its YouTube page also have sections specifically about “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” These include videos about “Advocating for Duke’s LGBTQ+ Community” and “Empowering Black Staff.”
What’s more, the university’s medical system, Duke Health, has a pledge that declares “racism is a public health crisis.”
One of its doctors recently asked for the data that backs the claim. Instead of receiving it, Dr. Kendall Conger says he was fired.
Conger and other doctors have been raising concerns about this growing ideological focus.
Nowadays, some students are being chosen because of their identities rather than their abilities, and medical schools are replacing clinical skills courses with “social justice” training. As a result, seasoned professionals say more new doctors are coming into the field unprepared.
Race and gender have become such a priority that it’s harming the medical practice and, therefore, patients. Thankfully, a growing number of doctors like Conger are speaking out.
MORE: Duke doctor fired after questioning widespread racism claims speaks out
IMAGE: Duke University School of Medicine
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