Hate, even in the ER: Doctor says some refuse her treatment because of her race
A doctor in Oregon has touched a nerve with a series of tweets revealing that some “white nationalists” have refused treatment from her because of her race.
Esther Choo, an emergency physician and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, according to Refinery 29, described on Sunday how she treats those patients with “compassion” because “the best thing I can do is make sure their hate finds no purchase here.”
Her words resonated with other medical professionals who retweeted her and said they have had similar experiences.
The first tweet of the thread, described as “chilling” by one Portland publication and making headlines around the world, has been retweeted more than 20,000 times.
“We’ve got a lot of white nationalists in Oregon. So a few times a year, a patient in the ER refuses treatment from me because of my race,” tweeted Choo, who received her medical degree from the Yale University School of Medicine, according to her bio.
“I don’t get angry or upset, just incredulous over the psychology of it. The conversation usually goes like this …
“Me: I understand your viewpoint. I trained at elite institutions & have been practicing for 15 years. You are welcome to refuse care under my hands, but I feel confident that I am the most qualified to care for you. Especially since the alternative is an intern.”
And, she wrote, “they invariably pick the intern, as long as they are white. Or they leave. Breathtaking, isn’t it? To be so wedded to your theory of white superiority, that you will bet your life on it, even in the face of clear evidence to the contrary?
“Sometimes I just look at them, my kin in 99.9% of our genetic code, and fail to believe they don’t see our shared humanity.
“You know what gives me hope? A few get uncomfortable and apologize in the same breath they refuse to let me treat them. You see … it’s a hell of a hard thing to maintain that level of hate face-to-face.
“I used to cycle through disbelief, shame, anger. Now I just show compassion and move on. I figure the best thing I can do is make sure their hate finds no purchase here.”
Chelsea Clinton was among dozens of people who applauded Choo for speaking out.
Thank you @choo_ek for sharing this and even more for the care you provide all your patients, including those who walk away. Thread: https://t.co/HvJayEbrdK
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 15, 2017
I admire you for your grace and professionalism under the oddest of circumstances.
— PhillyGuy53 (@philly_carl) August 13, 2017
Thank you for sharing. Your response to their ignorance and hate is a lesson for us all.
— Jen (@Title9Jen) August 14, 2017
I admire your bravery- especially in the face of cowardice. I may be Caucasian on the outside, but I'm human on the inside.
— That crazy Gypsy RN (@atyourcervix78) August 14, 2017
Choo also found support among other medical professionals, including pharmacist TJ Franky, whose Twitter bio says he lives in Lee’s Summit.
Thanks for laying this out. As a black male pharmacist & an African with an 'accent', I have faced similar rejection working in rural MO...
— TJ Franky (@tjfrankline78) August 14, 2017
I have had patients prefer to speak with pharm techs than ask me their questions. Unfortunately for them, techs cannot counsel...
— TJ Franky (@tjfrankline78) August 14, 2017
Most have been forced to come back to me, as their last hope, and the only pharmacist on duty. I have always treated them with...
— TJ Franky (@tjfrankline78) August 14, 2017
abundant love, respect, empathy, above the line care and professional in the face of their racist remarks. Never let their ignorance...
— TJ Franky (@tjfrankline78) August 14, 2017
impede on your ability to do your job. O resolved to change the world in my way, one racist patient at a time. Kudos to you @choo_ek
— TJ Franky (@tjfrankline78) August 14, 2017
A trauma team at the University of Virginia tweeted a photo of themselves with this message: “The multicultural trauma team at @UVA waiting to care for casualties from the white supremacist rally.”
I have had very similar experiences in Nashville, Tennessee. Thank you for speaking out Dr. Choo. It means a lot for all of us.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) August 14, 2017
I have had patients refuse to see me because of my race as well. It's astonishing - but happens.
— Dr. Jennifer Caudle (@DrJenCaudle) August 15, 2017
I used to work in ER reg-one pt asked me if the Doc on that day was "an american". I said yes. Pt got mad & left bc doc was Indian american.
— Matthew Wasco (@Gleason4plus5) August 15, 2017
I had the same experience once in the ICU. I told them if that's the case they were really not going to like the cardiology consult team. https://t.co/GcGTX2eCuJ
— Vinay Prasad (@VinayPrasad82) August 15, 2017
The multicultural trauma team at @UVA waiting to care for casualties from the white supremacist rally ⚕️⚕️ pic.twitter.com/tz0MEAxR8R
— Esther Choo (@Choo_ek) August 12, 2017
As doctors, I believe we are doing God's work. Your strategy of dealing with racist/sexist/whatever-ist pts illustrates just that.
— Quinn Capers, IV (@DrQuinnCapers4) August 14, 2017
Horrible & saddening. But every time it happens & you respond professionally, you're proving you're a better person. (and smarter #smdh)
— Caroline Weatherwax (@CarriWeatherwax) August 15, 2017
This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 1:36 PM with the headline "Hate, even in the ER: Doctor says some refuse her treatment because of her race."