Bullying, harassment, gender bias tolerated at MUN medical school: report
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A new report has found that a culture of bullying, harassment and sexism has been tolerated at Memorial University’s faculty of medicine in St. John’s, N.L., with some female students saying they were subject to remarks about their size, asked to get coffee for others and told they should stick to family practice.
Investigator Sandra LeFort, a professor emerita of the university’s school of nursing, took testimonials from 66 students, faculty and staff to assess the culture at the school and make recommendations.
Her report, dated May 1 but released Monday, included comments from students who said they witnessed or experienced sexist remarks, intimidation, harassment and gender bias from peers and physicians in the faculty.
“My overall impression of the culture of Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine is that it is generally a respectful environment and a good place to learn and work,” Lefort wrote.