The actions of Dr. Umaymah Mohammad, a Palestinian American medical student at Emory University School of Medicine, have ignited a firestorm. That is the real controversy, beyond the easily predictable issues of freedom of expression vs. professionalism. Dr. Mohammad, whose mother was displaced from Israel to Jordan during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and contracted polio as a toddler, is focused on the intersection of social structures of violence and health. Her outspoken stance on these issues, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza, has sparked significant debate within the university community.
In January 2024, Dr. Mohammad emailed the entire medical school with the subject line, "Palestinian blood stains your hands, Emory University and School of Medicine," in response to Israel's deadly actions in Gaza. The email started to attract widespread attention after being widely shared online by pro-Israel organizations like Canary Mission. The backlash was immediate, with social media users—including some of her fellow medical students—calling her a “terrorist.”
In an interview with Democracy Now! today, Dr. Mohammad discussed these powerful experiences. She underscored her desire to be a physician who addresses the social determinants of violence that affect health. Mr. Knight’s interview provoked the ire of a professor and a dean at Emory University. In response, the university opened an inquiry into Dr. Mohammad’s behavior for breach of “professionalism” and “mutual respect.”
Emory’s own committee on open expression decried the investigation. They contended the school breached its own policy on free speech. George Shepherd remarked, “A student’s right to free expression is implicated most dramatically when Emory disciplines the student for what they have expressed.”
Dr. Mohammad has been unwavering in her stance.
“Accepting guilt would mean accepting not talking about Palestine and accepting not talking about genocide, and no career is worth that,” she stated.
She demonstrates her seriousness about addressing these challenges by personally leading the charge in a new effort. This new effort comes together with the founding members of Doctors Against Genocide. This group is launching a Zoom course aimed at healthcare workers and medical students who are interested in speaking up about the genocide in Gaza and building a just future for health systems.
There’s been an outpouring of credit too for Dr. Mohammad’s heroic actions. Karida L Brown commented,
“She’s doing what she’s supposed to do – holding her field accountable to its stated ideals.”
Brown confidently added,
“She will be Dr Mohammad, one way or the other.”
Dr. Mohammad’s case raises a host of pressing matters. First, it prompts an important discussion around where the intersection of personal belief and professional duty lies within the medical community.
“You have a Palestinian medical student who specifically joined the field trying to understand inequities and the role of medicine in violence. To have to work side by side with an IDF soldier is exacerbating, and makes it uniquely painful for her,” Azka Mahmood explained.
Dr. Mohammad has raised critical questions about the role of medical professionals in conflict zones and their responsibility to uphold ethical standards.
“What kind of care are patients receiving from doctors who believe in the legitimacy of apartheid, and that some human lives are not as important as others?” she questioned.
Karameh Kuemmerle emphasized the ethical obligations of the medical community,
“It is our obligation as a medical community to do no harm and to protect life.”
This tense moment has similarly raised awareness about the way universities avoid topics that are too controversial to touch.
“To see our hospitals and medical institutions avoid this issue because it’s ‘too divisive’ … is something we simply do not accept,” Kuemmerle asserted.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Mohammad underscores the challenges faced by individuals who seek to balance professional responsibilities with personal convictions, especially in contentious geopolitical contexts.