A Pennsylvania medical school is facing scrutiny over a pre-matriculation program that excludes students based on race, according to a new civil rights complaint filed by a watchdog organization.
Do No Harm, a watchdog organization that fights discrimination in the medical field, filed a civil rights complaint last month against the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine over its “Center of Excellence MedStart Summer Institute for Prematriculating Program” and its race-based admissions criteria, National Review has learned.
The program is only available for accepted students who are considered under-represented in medicine, a category that solely encompasses black, Hispanic, and Native American students. White, Asian, and Middle Eastern students do not meet the criteria.
“In violation of Title VI, non-URiM students are excluded from the School’s Program and
discriminated against based on their race, color, or national origin,” the civil rights complaint reads.
Geisinger’s pre-matriculation program is designed “for accepted under-represented in medicine (URiM) students to help them transition smoothly into the rigorous demands of medical school,” over an eight week period.
Do No Harm is asking the Education Department to investigate the school for discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a provision that prohibits racial discrimination in programs receiving federal funding. The watchdog is asking for Geisinger’s pre-matriculation program to either be terminated or opened up to students of all races.
NR has reached out to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine for comment.
“Excluding students from medical programs because of race is blatant, unlawful discrimination. This Summer Institute is just another example of how woke identity politics have infiltrated the healthcare sector,” said Do No Harm senior fellow Mark Perry.
“Medical programs must prioritize expertise and merit, not skin color, if they hope to effectively prepare medical students to provide high-quality care for patients. Compliance with federal civil rights laws for recipients of federal funds, like Geisinger, is not optional, and there are no ‘if you have good intentions’ exceptions to Title VI.”
Do No Harm filed the complaint with the Department of Education’s civil rights office, which has played a significant role in the Trump administration’s effort to reform colleges and universities. It is not the only civil rights complaint from Do No Harm accusing Geisinger of discriminatory programming.
In March, Do No Harm filed a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services alleging Geisinger was committing discrimination by prioritizing racial minorities in recruitment and building a $3.4 million Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion to further its minority recruiting efforts.
Do No Harm has filed numerous civil rights complaints against medical schools for alleged discriminatory programs, usually under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Medical schools have widely adopted DEI and progressive gender ideology, despite potentially negative ramifications for medical education.