In complete disregard to her ethical and professional responsibilities, Dr. Thea Marie Weisdorf (CPSO #64074), a Canadian physician practising at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, and an award-winning Assistant Professor at the Temerity Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, was recorded expressing a discriminatory and hateful view to a group of students at the University’s campus, on June 3, 2024, stating:

“I hope you guys never need healthcare from UofT. That’s all I can say.” (see full video here)

The students she expressed this to were gathered peacefully to protest what the International Court of Justice has ruled the “plausible genocide” of Palestinians by the State of Israel, carried out for the past eight months and continues to this day, in which at least 37,084 people have been killed (of them at least 15,694 children), and more than 84,494 have been injured. Dr. Weisdorf is seen wearing the flag of Israel during this threatening incident where she blatantly claims these students are undeserving of equitable healthcare in Canada.

The statement made by Dr. Thea Weisdorf are prejudiced and reveal a flagrant disregard of the integrity of the medical profession and of her duty to uphold the highest standard of care without discrimination. We demand:

1. Dr. Weisdorf’s immediate suspension from her professional and teaching duties at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Temerity Faculty of Medicine, respectively.
2. An independent investigation into her conduct and potential violation of the Canadian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Professionalism (“the Code”), followed by appropriate disciplinary action if found in violation.
3. The revocation of the Helen P. Batty Award for Excellence and Achievement in Faculty Development granted to Dr. Weisdorf by the University of Toronto in 2024, if found in violation of the Code.

Dr. Weisdorf's conduct displays a blatant disregard for the ethics and professionalism expected to be upheld by physicians in Canada and must be addressed.

More on The CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the Code, member physicians commit to “support[ing] the profession’s responsibility to promote equitable access to health care resources”. The Code articulates the standards of ethical practice that guide all member physicians in “fulfilling their obligation to provide the highest standard of care and to foster patient and public trust in physicians and the profession.” According to the Code, one of the virtues exemplified by an ethical physician is to enhance trustworthiness in the profession by upholding compassion, honesty, humility, integrity and prudence.

Professional members of the CMA are expected to abide by the fundamental commitments laid out in the Code, including:

• “Commitment to the well-being of the patient: Consider first the well-being of the patient; always act to benefit the patient and promote the good of the patient.”
• “Commitment to justice: Promote the well-being of communities and populations by striving to improve health outcomes and access to care, reduce health inequities and disparities in care, and promote social accountability.”
• “Commitment to professional integrity and competence: Practise medicine competently, safely, and with integrity; avoid any influence that could undermine your professional integrity.”

In the context of the patient-Physician relationship, the Code further states: [the physician is to] “Accept the patient without discrimination (such as on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic characteristics, language, marital and family status, medical condition, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status).”