Read Personal Stories
Let me share one quick story that illustrates why this regulation is so important. As a third year medical student on the Family Medicine clerkship, I participated in a seminar session about cultural competency, diversity, and tolerance. This session was led by one of our Assistant Deans, who also happened to serve on the admissions committee.
During this lecture on “tolerance” the Dean shared with us that she had interviewed a pro-life applicant for medical school the previous day. During her questioning, this student indicated that he/she wouldn’t feel comfortable performing or providing referrals for abortions. The Assistant Dean then proclaimed with pride that she “personally made sure that someone like THAT won’t get into MY medical school.”
Consider for a moment the exchange the must have taken place between this applicant and the Dean (who made it very clear that she was pro-choice)… how did this subject arise? Does the Dean ask every applicant their position on abortion? [Even if so, should this really be a core issue on which acceptance could hinge in a fifteen minute interview?] Or, was this student singled out because of some pro-life “red flag?” Perhaps he/she had a pro-life activity on their resume, or had attended a Catholic university? The details of the interview are speculation, but clearly demonstrate the problems that arise when conscience protections are removed for mainstream issues where people of good-will have differences of opinion.
K. C.
Gainesville, FL
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