A medical clinic at Oregon Health and Science University dropped a cancer patient in response to her criticism of its transgender pride flag display.
In May, Marlene Barbera, a cancer patient whose primary care physician was at OHSU’s Richmond Family Medicine Clinic, “had commented on a trans pride flag she had seen in the waiting room of the [clinic] in Portland, Oregon,” Reduxx reported on August 2.
Barbera had sent a message through MyChart, a health portal that allows patients to see records and correspond with their doctors.
On June 29, Barbera got a message from OHSU Practice Manager Stein Berger. “Richmond is an all-inclusive clinic and we value and advocate for diversity,” Berger wrote. He stated that Barbera had made “transphobic remarks…harmful to our staff.”
“Effective immediately, you [Barbera] are discharged from receiving medical care at the Richmond Family Medicine Clinic,” Berger wrote. “This action is being taken because of ongoing disrespectful and hurtful remarks about our LGBTQ community and staff … Please note that you are also now dismissed from all OHSU Family Medicine clinics, including Immediate Care clinics.”
The allegations were publicized on August 2 by Twitter account LibsOfTikTok.
A woman receiving cancer treatment at @OHSUNews was told she can no longer be a patient at the clinic after she sent a message criticizing a trans flag hanging prominently at the entrance.
She told us that they requested she go for “re-education” and she refused. pic.twitter.com/WdAvRoYoMV
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 2, 2023
In response a media query, the Oregon Health and Science University media relations department provided the following response today: “In accordance with patient privacy laws, we’re unable to comment or acknowledge whether an individual is a patient without written authorization from the individual,” said Associate Director of Media Relations Sara Hottman.
She also cited “OHSU patient rights, responsibilities, and safety,” which include “refrain[ing] from using discriminatory, profane, derogatory or threatening language, imagery or behavior, and understand[ing] that these behaviors can result in limitation of visiting privileges and impact access to care at OHSU.”
The notice Barbera got stated that the clinic would cut off all health care services to her on July 29.
Barbera had reportedly said to the clinic, “I have been threatened on Twitter by trans activists with rape and death — so it is daunting to go for medical treatment with that banner proclaiming that what I am, an adult human female, is a mere opt-in category for any gender non-conforming male and not a reality. May I please have a telephone appointment to discuss how I may access your medical care without walking under a banner that seeks to negate all I am?”
Barbera now says she has chronic health problems that will now go untreated. “I have severe chronic agitated depression since teen years. Now I have no primary care doctor and no where [sic] else to go. I have been made to feel like a worthless nothing.”
