Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is Being Investigated for Racial Discrimination

The Johns Hopkins Harriet Lane Pediatric Residency Training Program says that it “strongly values diversity.” Unfortunately, they aren’t demonstrating those values when it comes to inclusion in its pediatric specialty rotations.

In response to a Title VI complaint filed by Do No Harm senior fellow Mark Perry, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the Visiting Elective Program for Students Underrepresented in Medicine, as it restricts eligibility to medical students  from groups defined as underrepresented: “Black (African/African American), Latino/Hispanic (Mexican American, Cuban American, Puerto Rican, Central American, South American), Native American, and Native Hawaiian.” Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin which is why the OCR has jurisdiction to conduct a federal civil rights investigation of Johns Hopkins

The online application makes it clear who is (and is not) eligible for the program, which provides a stipend of up to $2,000 for the six medical students who are chosen.

The John Hopkins Medicine Equity Statement says the organization believes in promoting inclusion in education and declares, “We stand against discrimination and oppression in all their forms.” Let’s hope they choose to live up to that mission.

Have you been excluded from a scholarship or fellowship at your medical or nursing school because of discriminatory inclusion criteria? Do No Harm wants to hear from you, and you may remain anonymous if you wish.