I am learning to be a healer. After I earn my MD this spring and begin caring for patients as a physician, I will want all of my patients to know that no matter their nationality or their faith, I welcome them, value them, and will care for them.
Two weeks ago, President Trump signed an executive order barring refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. The order clashes with a core value of medicine, that all patients are welcome and deserving of medical care. I am troubled that Dana Farber Cancer Institute, one of Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospitals, is not fully living up to these values.
I do not see this as a matter of feigned morality and it is a matter of politics because moral issues have become so political. For a person to receive care for cancer or anything else, s/he must be able to be here – not possible if from an excluded country; must not be afraid (of deportation) to give identifying information; and to get good care must have good coverage – not likely if ACA is repealed without a better replacement.
I don’t care whether Dana Farber raises funds at Mar-a-Lago or Mars. The rest of us should keep our politics and feigned morality out of cancer.
Well stated. When Ms. Farrell becomes Dr. Farrell, she can open a clinic caring for all – including the unvetted & never look over her shoulder at all…