Racist surgeon?

[tech22]

So I've been working at this hospital for over a year, in a rural part of the South, one that seems to be stuck in the 50s. The environment in this hospital isn't that bad as most of the docs, nurses, etc. are from other cities and some from other countries. However, there is this one surgeon who is the most racist person here I've ever met. He casually uses slurs to describe other races. He referred to an attending as "buckwheat" repeatedly. I overheard him one day taking to the CHIEF OF SURGERY and in the course of 2 minutes used slurs to describe blacks, hispanics, asians and jews and they both laughed. I can't believe people like this still exist. His behavior seemed to be just accepted here.

[Kssrn404]

My big question is what is the approximate age of this surgeon and chief of surgery. Yes, there still are people who act this way. Part of it has to do with age. During the time I have been alive, it has gone from ******, negro, colored up to now being African-American. Some people find it hard to adapt. Then you need to factor in where he has lived much of his life. I can still visit the south and hear some of the unacceptable words from people who have lived there their whole lives.

i am in the Deep South and I've not ever personally heard a health care professional acting or speaking this way. I'm not saying it doesn't happened just never encountered it. Sorry you have had to endure this nonsense.

I work with a lot of African American, Indian and many other ethnic background wonderful healthcare providers and there's never an issue.

Too bad this type of thing is still around.

I can tell you for sure that it exists everywhere, no matter where you live in this country. Really sad.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Something about the title of this thread immediately turned me off. "Racist Surgeon(?)"

I know it's easy to pick on surgeons, and maybe that's why this post bothers me. This observation-- thinly disguised as a question-- could equally apply to anyone from within any healthcare setting. And that goes for non-whites as well.

None of this finger pointing does anyone any good.

Position, authority, and relative influence does indeed make a difference when talking about racism. In the OR, the surgeon is the leader of the team.

When a leader says something racist, other individuals "below" the leader's level are likely to be intimidated from speaking out. The entire team is affected by the leader's behavior that will likely go unchecked, regardless of how the team members--even if all of them--feel it is inappropriate.

If another team member said something racist, and the leader of the team verbally disciplined that person, it sends a clear message to other members of the team that such talk or behavior will not be tolerated.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Never understood why people get offended so easily. There are racial slurs for every race, including mine, but as long as I'm treated the same I could care less what terminology people use. Its just words, and if you do not have a chance at changing them I would just move on.

Of course its better not to use the words and I'm not endorsing them lol.

But are you treated the same by someone who makes a general statement about people who share your race? How would you know?

[Cola89]

Managers often don't address pro blems because they are afraid of retaliation or they know their boss won't back them and fears lawsuits. How did your case end?

I left (for other reasons) on good terms. When I saw that my unit manager wasn't going to be supportive, I left it at that. Although I was shocked at the way she handled things (that situation and others), I never spoke of it again.

She wasn't a good boss or advocate for her staff. I didn't enjoy working for her, or on that unit, and the commute was just too far. I stuck it out until I found something else closer.

[AllOfMyWat]

There's no question in this. Is he a good surgeon? Is he respectful towards staff? Yes, he called an attending "Buckwheat." People are entitled to be racist. I've been on the receiving end of racism. People are free to dislike me based on my race. They're not allowed to create a hostile work environment. (Frankly, I find some sanctimonious individual who believes it is their job to champion for my people or me as offensive as being called a slur.)

[neuron]

So I've been working at this hospital for over a year, in a rural part of the South, one that seems to be stuck in the 50s. The environment in this hospital isn't that bad as most of the docs, nurses, etc. are from other cities and some from other countries. However, there is this one surgeon who is the most racist person here I've ever met. He casually uses slurs to describe other races. He referred to an attending as "buckwheat" repeatedly. I overheard him one day taking to the CHIEF OF SURGERY and in the course of 2 minutes used slurs to describe blacks, hispanics, asians and jews and they both laughed. I can't believe people like this still exist. His behavior seemed to be just accepted here.

I live close to the (traditional) south and I haven't really heard racist terminology. There are racist blacks and whites here. Some of these old guys just don't know any other way and never lived a big city. I have never been treated poorly by whites, even though my skin tone is darker. In fact, they are the most loving and accepting people at my workplace. Sorry this guy is an a$%. He should be removed from his position.