AMSA teaches "LGBT Acceptance: 101" to New York Medical College

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 27 Jan 2005 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, is outraged at the recent action by New York Medical College (NYMC) to ban a student group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and has organized an on-campus "teach-in" entitled, "LGBT Acceptance: 101," on Thursday, January 27, 2005.

At the start of the academic year, the LGBT student group, previously named, Student Support Group, changed its name to the "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People in Medicine." Due to the modification, the NYMC administration revoked the charter, taking away funding and other benefits. Dr. Ralph O'Connell, NYMC provost and dean states, "�it was clear that the organization and its leader would advocate and promote activities inconsistent with the values of NYMC."

O'Connell has not responded to formal meeting requests from AMSA or the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

Last week, Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Westchester County Health Commissioner and NYMC professor, resigned his faculty status at the college to protest the school's decision. Lipsman is invited to address the students at Thursday's event.

"The actions taken by NYMC are inconsistent with the goals of medical education. Instead of creating more discrimination, there needs to be awareness of the health needs of LGBT patients," says Dr. Brian Palmer, AMSA national president. "By disbanding its LGBT student group, NYMC harms both its own students and their future patients. Prospective students should seriously evaluate the quality of medical education they would receive at a school that openly discriminates."

AMSA consists of many subgroups, including a national committee for LGBT people in medicine. The organization's Student Bill of Rights includes both the right of students to organize themselves and the right to be free from discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as race, age, religion, disability, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

"Medical education must provide opportunities that reduce bias and enhance tolerance and understanding in order to eliminate health disparities," continues Palmer.

About The American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With nearly 50,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org.

Kim Becker
Director of Public Relations, American Medical Student Association
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207
Email: prel@www.amsa.org