Civil Rights Group Urges State Board of Physicians to Offer Resources, Training to Healthcare Workers Statewide to Help Navigate, Cope in these Challenging Times
(BALTIMORE, MD, 11/17/2023) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on Johns Hopkins Medicine to terminate a pediatric ICU unit director’s employment at its Children’s Center in Baltimore, and for the Maryland Board of Physicians to revoke his medical license, after the doctor reportedly admitted this week to violent, racist posts endorsing the mass slaughter of all Palestinians in October.
The civil rights group had filed a complaint on Tuesday with the Maryland Board of Physicians calling for an investigation to confirm whether Dr. Darren Klugman, MD had written the posts. He was placed on administrative leave by the institution yesterday morning. CAIR is also urging the Board to offer free resources and training to healthcare workers across the state to help them process, navigate and cope in these tense, tumultuous times without compromising patient safety or community trust.
READ LETTER TO JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE
https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KlugmanNew.pdf
READ UPDATED LETTER TO MARYLAND BOARD OF PHYSICIANS
https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ComplaintMDBoard.pdf
SEE: CAIR Files Complaint Against Maryland Doctor who Allegedly Expressed Support for Slaughter of Palestinians
Johns Hopkins doctor on leave following violent anti-Palestinian social media posts
Johns Hopkins doctor on leave during investigation of negative social media post about Palestinians
Johns Hopkins doctor placed on leave as anti-Palestinian posts surface
The posts shared with CAIR earlier this week referred to Palestinians as “barbaric animals,” expressed his support for their “large scale slaughter” and forced displacement and labeled them as “people who rape and murder civilians.”
In its letter issued today to Johns Hopkins Medicine Chief Executive Officer Dr. Theodore DeWeese and Executive Vice President Mr. Kevin Sowers, CAIR wrote in part:
“This social media activity promoting violent views and racist ideologies, and exposing deep-rooted animus towards an entire ethno-national group, have irrevocably tarnished [Dr. Klugman’s] credibility and integrity as a healthcare provider.
The shocking comments, which have been widely shared and circulated, have caused deep distress within communities across Baltimore and across the nation. They have sparked legitimate fears about the potential impact of such sentiments on the well-being of vulnerable populations – particularly, Dr. Klugman’s patients at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, where he serves as Director of the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Unit. They have raised substantial ethical and professional concerns.
The hospital is located in the heart of a very diverse city which is also home to many Muslim, Arab and Palestinian-American families, some who have had family members killed in Gaza. A significant number of patients travel to Johns Hopkins Hospital from Arab and Muslim countries each year to receive what they perceive is world-class care.
We’ve learned from healthcare workers at Johns Hopkins Hospital that some of these families feel deeply betrayed by hospital administrators’ delay in handling this situation. Our office has also heard from families whose children have received care both in Dr. Klugman’s unit and throughout the hospital who are now second-guessing medical decisions that have been made
during their stay and have, in several cases, taken their children elsewhere.
Yesterday, CAIR was forwarded Dr. Klugman’s apology that he emailed to some of his colleagues following the controversy that erupted earlier this week; unfortunately, the apology is being perceived by many as an effort to protect professional and personal interests, rather than as a reflection of genuine remorse or regret for his views.
As you are aware, the medical profession holds a position of great trust in society, and physicians are expected to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct. The views expressed by Dr. Klugman on social media not only violate these principles, but also call into question his ability to provide non-biased, compassionate care to patients of diverse backgrounds. Trust – an integral component of the doctor/patient relationship – has been irreparably harmed among colleagues and patients’ families.”
In a statement, CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“It’s deeply unfortunate that a physician of Dr. Klugman’s caliber has irreparably lost the trust of many of his colleagues and community in this manner. Physicians take an oath to do no harm. They are entrusted with treating patients from all faiths and backgrounds. Especially in this emotionally charged political environment, professionals entrusted with the lives and well-being of others must demonstrate the ability to not dehumanize or endorse violence especially against innocent people, regardless of their own political views. Doctors who harbor views that any ethnic group is less than human and expresses support for their extermination won’t be trusted to diligently uphold their ethical and moral obligation to serve the medical needs of their patient population to the best of their ability. This animus places patients’ safety and well-being in jeopardy and undermines trust within medical institutions. Children in the critical cardiac care unit are amongst the most sick and vulnerable patients in the hospital. Without medical intervention, many would die. Many people who have reached out to our office have described how shaken they feel. As one physician said, ‘an apology at this stage doesn’t offer any peace of mind. It’s too little too late’.”
Healthcare workers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have prompted CAIR’s call on the Maryland Board of Physicians to revoke Dr. Klugman’s medical license, and to issue a memo to physicians across the state that this type of misconduct is unacceptable in addition to offering resources, support, and trainings to help navigate these challenging times.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com