Race/Ethnicity and Surgery

A well-respected surgical professor is the invited speaker for a conference at a large academic surgical department. As part of the events, there is a meet-and-greet to allow residents, fellows, and faculty speak with the professor. Dr. Z is a junior surgeon second-generation American citizen of Ecuadorean descent. The professor turns to Dr. Z and says, “you know, I told my fellow Mohammad to change his name to Matt so he could get a chief job.” The group of residents appear uncomfortable, but no one says anything in response.