Dr. Stanley Goldfarb is a board certified nephrologist, former Dean of University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Currently he still serves on faculty as a Professor. Dr. Goldfarb is also the leader of the organization of “Do No Harm”. Currently, the website for Do No Harm states, “Antiracism is creating new barriers and bad practices that are endangering the health and well being of everyone.” These statements are not only unfounded , but demonstrate explicit bias by a doctor who has been charged to take care of marginalized groups and training future generation of doctors.

 

On May 23, 2022, it was brought to the attention of Project Diversify Medicine, that Dr. Goldfarb was continuing to display explicit bias in light of a recent journal article in Academic Medicine that reported Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous Resident Physicians were likely to have lower clinical performance assessments in graduate medical education. Dr. Goldfarb response to the article was “Could it be they were just not good at being residents.” 

 

It is these very comments that give concern as they perpetuate the ideology that collectively black and brown doctors are “not good” and reiterates the systemic racism that already permeates the broken medical system. Furthermore, comments like this disproportionally contributes to harmful environments that not only impact underrepresented minority doctors, but also harms marginalized populations he has been charged with providing care.

 

Dr. Goldfarb also authored a book entitled “Take Two Aspirin and Call Me By My Pronouns” Why Turning Doctors into Social Justice Warriors is Destroying America Medicine. He has also authored multiple articles that echo similar sentiments he posted earlier. (Link for Dr. Goldfarb article https://donoharmmedicine.org/in-the-news/  ) 

 

Project Diversify Medicine mission is to dismantle racism in medicine by helping underrepresented minorities (URM) achieve admission into medical school. We are aware of the many obstacles, including biases URM premed students and Doctors regularly face along their white coat journey. Hence, this is why we ask that Pennsylvania School of Medicine take action to remove Dr. Goldfarb from his position as it clear he is unable to fulfill his duty without bias.

 

 Via social media, multiple URM students and Doctors have expressed grievance with his comments and his viewpoints. Dr. Goldfarb has not apologized nor recanted his statements. In fact Dr. Goldfarb continues to stand by  his comments and even retweeted a press release for his book mentioned above. Thus, based on his actions, his statements and  lack of cultural competence there is great concern he can deliver care without harming marginalized populations. 

 

Furthermore, given Dr. Goldfarb long standing actions while being allowed to serve as leader within the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is concerning. It is particularly alarming that over 150 Alumni in 2019  submitted an open letter expressing grievance with his public stance against antiracism teachings in the medical field.

 

We ask that the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine provide further insight into how they plan to address Dr. Goldfarb statements/actions, the trauma to URM students, doctors, and the community. We also want further insight into their plan to improve the process to ensure their staff are without bias to prevent harm to marginalized communities they serve. 

 

Our ask is for you to sign this campaign to help bring about the change needed at UPenn School of Medicine and hospitals across this country.  Let Dr. GoldFarb know his actions are not in alignment with a doctor who is culturally competent and able to provide equitable healthcare to marginalized communities with these views.