Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has decided to end all its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This announcement came on Wednesday, following pressure from Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn. She accused the hospital of hiding its DEI efforts and urged the facility to align with former President Donald Trump’s executive orders that restrict such programs.
In a statement, VUMC confirmed its commitment to comply with these federal directives. The hospital said it has already started removing references to DEI initiatives from its websites. It also mentioned that it will continue to follow federal mandates.
Senator Blackburn’s letter to VUMC President Jeffrey Balser highlighted her concerns about the hospital’s DEI activities. She pointed out that VUMC had password-protected web pages related to DEI and climate activism, yet some offices, like the Office of Health Equity and the Office for Diversity Affairs, appeared to still be operational. Blackburn emphasized that as a recipient of federal funding, VUMC has a duty to adhere to these executive orders.
This decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny of VUMC’s practices, particularly regarding its transgender health services for minors. The hospital has been in the spotlight after being criticized for its gender-affirming care, which includes medical interventions for children. This issue gained national attention after Daily Wire host Matt Walsh investigated the clinic and raised concerns about the procedures being performed on minors.
The investigations led to calls for action from state officials, including Governor Bill Lee, who has since pushed for legislation to protect children from certain medical treatments aimed at changing their sex. The new law has sparked significant debate and has even reached the Supreme Court.
Vanderbilt’s move to eliminate its DEI programs reflects a broader trend among institutions responding to political and public pressures regarding diversity initiatives. The hospital’s decision marks a significant shift in its approach to these programs, which have been a topic of heated discussion in recent years.