Former President Trump's campaign against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives has sent ripples throughout various sectors, including the medical industry. His executive order, emphasizing merit-based practices, has sparked debate and predictions about its potential impact on healthcare.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of the non-profit organization "Do No Harm," believes the impact on the medical field will be substantial. He anticipates changes in medical school admissions, aligning them with the Supreme Court's ruling against race-based affirmative action in higher education.
Furthermore, Goldfarb predicts a significant shift in how both medical schools and private medical societies approach DEI, anticipating a move away from these practices. He also highlights the potential impact on federal grants and contracts, a critical funding source for many medical institutions. The executive order suggests a move away from DEI considerations in these funding decisions.
Goldfarb's organization, "Do No Harm," aims to shield healthcare professionals from what they perceive as the negative consequences of identity politics in medicine.
The repercussions of Trump's actions extend beyond the medical field. Federal DEI employees were placed on administrative leave, and their offices were closed. This move mirrors actions taken by several large private companies, including Walmart, McDonald's, Ford, and Meta, which have scaled back or eliminated their own DEI programs.
