Seattle Children's Hospital Holds Racially Segregated Training for Doctors

In August 2022, Seattle Children's Hospital conducted a mandatory diversity training for its gastroenterology department that has sparked significant controversy. The training, which included elements of critical race theory, was designed to address issues of racial equity and bias within medical settings. Participants were divided into three racially segregated groups: a white caucus, a black caucus, and a "Non-Black POC Caucus," with the stated goal of "minimizing harm to our black learners." White doctors were instructed to "divest" from "whiteness" and explore their "repressed racial memories" to foster a heightened racial consciousness. They were encouraged to engage in "racial storytelling" with fellow white colleagues. Meanwhile, the training also included discussions on implicit bias and structural racism, as part of the hospital's broader initiative to promote health equity among its residents. The sessions were part of a pilot program that has since expanded to other departments within the hospital. However, the hospital has not clarified whether future trainings will continue to segregate participants by race or who will facilitate these sessions. Critics argue that such initiatives may not improve healthcare outcomes and could instead polarize both patients and healthcare providers, undermining trust in medical institutions. The training reflects a growing trend in medical education, with institutions like the University of California, San Francisco, implementing similar affinity groups aimed at fostering racial identity and awareness among medical students. Advocates for these programs assert they are essential for creating a more equitable healthcare environment.