So many problems with this anti-affirmative action opinion piece masquerading as a "research article" in @JAHA_AHA. Some, but not all, listed here... (thread)

1/ Shocking these statements are made by the director of the EP fellowship @UPMC. How does he evaluate Black/Hispanic applicants?

2/ Many refs he cites actually argue for more not less affirmative action; he cherry picks facts from them to support his cause. Ref 22, 25 (link & quote: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.21.5.90

3/ Older data cited on affirmative action leading to "unqualified" people being admitted are confounded. Differential promotion and graduation rates between minority and white students likely attributable to institutional racism and differential resourcing. (Sleeth BC NEJM 1977)

4/ Consistent use of quotes to describe "underrepresented in medicine" trivializes the fact that compared w/ population Black and Hispanic physicians are fewer in numbers.

5/ More data than quotable shows that a diverse physician workforce improves care, esp for those most vulnerable.

6/ Arguments that efforts to increase diversity hurt Asian colleagues not backed by much fact- author self-references his own other opinion piece.

7/ It's not affirmative action, but statements like those made in this paper that bar was lowered for us and we are less qualified that hurt URM physicians and future-MDs.

8/ Don't worry Norm, Black men and URM med students have plenty of amazing URM physicians to look up to.

8/ This one deserves its own thread. Pretty sure those of us born to mixed ethnic/race parents are able to sort out our own identities just fine, thanks.

9/ To all the students and trainees in medicine and esp interested in cardiology. Please know there are lots of us URM & anti-racist White MDs here to support you. We know how hard you work. You deserve to be here, and we will welcome you. @LMSA_National @SNMA