Retired U-M surgery professor defends himself over editorial that led to resignation from national post
A prominent retired University of Michigan surgery professor today defended himself against charges of sexism leveled at him following a controversial Valentine's Day editorial that eventually led to his resignation as president-elect of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Lazar Greenfield, in an e-mail sent to AnnArbor.com and other media, said he has a long record of recruiting and promoting women in surgery and that his editorial citing research that found semen had an anti-depressive effect on women was written for a "monthly throw-away newspaper, not a scientific journal."
Lazar Greenfield
U-M photo
Greenfield had concluded the editorial in Surgery News, the official newspaper of the American College of Surgeons, by writing, "So there's a deeper bond between men and women than St. Valentine would have suspected, and now we know there's a better gift for that day than chocolates."
Greenfield first resigned as editor of the newspaper when an outcry over the editorial arose, then over the weekend resigned as president-elect of the professional organization.
In the email sent today, Greenfield wrote that reports about the editorial and his resignation from the surgeons organization had led readers to conclude he represented "an old-guard generation that represses women in surgery." He asserted that "nothing could be further from the truth" and said he could "no longer remain silent in an attempt to protect the organization."
Greenfield is best known in his field for developing a device that bears his name to prevent blood clots in the lung, according to his biography on the University of Michigan website. He is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in vascular surgery.
He is a former chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan.
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
The word truth in relation to an idea, or statement means that the thought has correspondence with an external reality. The bonding between man and woman, or man, and man is not dependent upon the biological or biochemical properties of a fluid described as Semen. What is the Reality? Why do relationships fail or thrive? Man is a physical, mental, social, moral, and spiritual being. To establish a healthy social relationship the well-being of man in all these aspects is important. If the male is not mentally healthy, no amount of Semen would let him establish a relationship or bonding with a male or female.
oldblueypsi
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
Unfortunately, in the alleged minds of a certain segment of the population, humor is politically incorrect. "When someone once asked Diogenes why he often laughed by himself, he said, "For that very reason.""
Nathaniel Borenstein
Thu, Apr 21, 2011 : 10:49 a.m.
From an evolutionary standpoint, it would be surprising if semen did NOT promote bonding. Since the male has a tremendous reproductive incentive to prevent the female from taking multiple partners, anything that increased her attachment to him would provide an advantage to him in producing offspring with his genes. We don't like to think of our behavior as being biologically or physically determined, and certainly our mental states can allow us to override our physical predispositions in many cases. But it's foolish to pretend that we don't all carry the biological legacy of millions of years of mammalian evolution. Besides, there has to be some explanation of why so many women stay with evil, abusive men, and this might be a part of that story. Anything that helps explain that, and perhaps helps us to develop counter-strategies, should be applauded by anyone supporting the rights of women.
katie
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
I'm a feminist, and I'm always taken aback when someone uses the term "man-hating feminist." Some men are feminists, too, so would that mean they are man-hating, or is it only the women who are feminists who get that label? I really hate to see feminism put down like this, since women are so at risk around the globe. We need to have more feminists, we need to acknowledge the importance of this. We need all the feminists we can get. Really! I'd say "chill" to those who are defensive about feminists. Feminists have a brave history of sacrifice for the rights of women. I say hooray for feminists. There may be more behind the scenes than we know, and if that's the case then the reactions are warranted. Assuming that's not the case, I find the comments about semen mainly to be a bit odd, somewhat off-putting in a clinical sort of way. It's a bit sexist, but not in a hating kind of way, more in a somewhat clueless kind of way. Nothing that a good apology would not remedy. I also realize that many surgeons are great surgeons and do a lot of good in the world. Lots of us owe our lives or those of our loved ones to surgeons. Not all, but some of them can be kind of, well, nerdy. I've met many more nerdy surgeons (both male and female) than nerdy general practitioners. It doesn't always, but often can go with the territory. They are very good technically and that's the important thing. They may not have the social skills of of a PR director or the bedside manner of a good GP. It takes all kinds to make a world. I say hooray for surgeons, both male and female. Who amongst us has not made an insensitive statement to someone? A good apology goes a long way and should be accepted.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Alas! If only Dr. Greenfield had said something like "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. Surgeons are not well known as comedians." We all might have been spared this boring, drawn-out discussion of what, in the scheme of things, is a non-news event. Spare us more, please!!
Doug
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
A man of his brilliance and stature should have realized that his statement would be offensive to many.
a2me2
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
I guess the first amendment does not apply to the distinquished Dr. Greenfield, but only the nut cases out picketing the funerals of our soldiers, and the KKK and nazis who demonstrate on our streets. I am ashamed that Dr. Greenfield's resignation was accepted. Once again this is an example of the warped Ann Arbor mentality, where everyone feels insulted so easily, and everyone is quick to shout racism, discrimination and unfairness. It is a sad day when a society becomes so fragile, that it cannot take a joke. Wake up Ann Arbor, Dr. Greenfield HAS THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. I applaud his dry wit and sense of humor. As a woman, I was not insulted. This man gave more to our society than can ever be taken away by a mere joke. Those who accepted his resignation should be ashamed of themselves!
free form
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
While I agree with you that Dr. Greenfield should have never been forced to resign, you are way off base in blaming Ann Arbor or any "warped Ann Arbor mentality." Just because Dr. Greenfield happens to be a surgeon here is beside the point. The ACS has 77,000 members across the country and these are the people who would have read the controversial editorial. What makes you think the the complaints are a local issue or are in any way related to A2?
Will Warner
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
The First Amendment does apply to Dr. Greenfield, and if he were suffering consequences at the hands of the government for what he said, his free speech would be under attack. But the First Amendment only restrains the government. People are free to react in a punishing way (punishing, but not illegal) to other people's speech. Of course it is ridiculous that he was made to walk the plank over this.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
You are so right. It seems Ann Arborites stand around just waiting for a nit to pick.
Mr. Tibbs
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
It would appear that even if it was a medical fact, that "semen" seems to have an anti-depressive affect" on women....if it has a offensive tilt to it, "it" must simply be wrong! lets just say for conjecture, it is the truth. would this even be discussed then? I think so. For some, it doesn't matter if it is the truth. If the truth offends, we must fight to change it.... I find this very disturbing.
bedrog
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 5 p.m.
An interesting read is THE SHADOW UNIVERSITY by harvey silverglate and a.c kors. They ( and i) are liberal lefty , "sensitive new age guy" types...and they are associates of alan dershowitz.. But their depiction of the abuses of ' p.c.'-dom in the academic world are unignorable and non-trivial, as i can personally attest ( and so can the doctor here).
free form
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
Hmmm... I think that the good doctor may have done more harm that good with this response. As a mature woman (with a sense of humor) I found nothing offensive in the initial editorial. This e-mail (especially the last paragraph) makes him sound angry toward women, though. He has the right to be defensive after this whole debacle but I hope this case did not turn a doctor who strongly supported his female colleagues into one that resents them.
loves_fall
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
Dr. Greenfield's email may portray a worst-case scenario and be slightly polarizing, but I don't see anything particularly offensive about it either. Then again, I guess maybe I'm "sexist" too: In the reversed scenario, I don't see men ever letting a tiny comment in an editorial threaten their masculinity to the point of demanding corrective action, because chances are they wouldn't have taken it as an insult in the first place.
DennisP
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
There is often a lot more politics within these scientific organizations than anyone realizes or admits. I found it interesting that the leadership of the ACS seemed to have no problem accepting Dr. Greenfield's resignation. There can be a number of reasons for this--none of them public, none of them brought out by this ongoing mini-saga. On its face, Dr. Greenfield's little editorial seems hardly the stuff that should go beyond a simple apology-if even that. It wasn't great humor by a long shot and very clinical but it didn't demean either gender. At best it was bathroom humor clinically sterilized and somewhat dull. I've heard women say much more vulgar things about men and women--I think it's safe to conclude the Victorian age has completely departed. That said, either the ACS leadership is extraordinarily thin-skinned or there is more underneath this story that won't ever see the light of day. Dr. Greenfield's letter just adds to the puzzle and doesn't really clarify much as it clearly concludes with more of an accusation than an explanation. Regardless, we'll never really know if Dr. Greenfield's reputation within the organization had other questions associated with it or, alternatively, if his editorial became a convenient excuse to pillory him and force him out for other political reasons. Or, maybe, it really was just an organization overreacting to an editorial that otherwise would have never seen the light of day... At this point, though, I'd say this story has matured beyond any further public interest. He's resigned, he has been publicly embarrassed, the ACS is satisfied and life should go on.
Lovaduck
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
If, and I say "if", his comments are, as many women surgeons claimed in the NY Times, reflective of unconscious and conscious bias against women in the field of surgery, then this isn't just a p.c;. matter. His last sentence, though one can understand his anger, is truly anti-female and just adds fodder to their claims that he and other male surgeons really hold women in contempt and that surgery is a kind of "mens' club". He has just made matters worse, despite his fine reputation and past accomplishments. The whole situation makes me sad; but what makes me sadder is the dismissive comments from most of the writers on this site, who think the whole thing is "no big deal".
bedrog
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.
This case is "P.C." -ism run amok. Sadly it's far from an isolated instance in academe.
ViSHa
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
Hold your head high Dr. Greenfield. Your record speaks for itself. I guess those that found you unsuited can be happy now since a woman replaced you.
Will
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
Dr. Greenfield would have been better off leaving things were they landed rather than submitting this letter to annarbor.com which actually raises questions about possible hidden or sub-conscious gender discrimination. I was struck by how Dr. Greenfield first uses the term "readers" when he writes that he meant to amuse them, but then he clearly moves onto saying that his resignation wasn't sufficient for some "women" and that he wanted to meet with "women" surgeons. Perhaps if he had said his resignation wasn't sufficient for some "readers" and he wanted to meet with "surgeon" groups, the letter wouldn't have raised more questions. Worst of all is his last comment about the conclusion, "men are ruthless and vindictive." Does he really believe that this would be the conclusion "readers" would have reached if the genders had been reversed in the situation? If so, I believe he needs to take a closer look at himself. Perhaps the surgeons, whether male or female, had a valid concern.
average joe
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
Readers vs. women....Maybe he didn't want to offend any men by including them in the group that complained because maybe, just maybe there weren't any men complaining.... And I don't think this letter raises any questions what so ever.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
"which actually raises questions about possible hidden or sub-conscious gender discrimination." Will I think the letter was writen to you and people like you who missed the point. You may want to check out the comedy channel and have a good laugh.
xmo
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
Nature promotes bonding between men and women, not something demeaning. So why is everyone upset? I wish the good doctor would stay on and fight!
catfishrisin
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Lighten up ladies...it was a joke
Heather
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 3:19 p.m.
Doesn't seem like there was anything offensive that he wrote or anything worth getting worked up about. But then again, I'm just a simple woman, not a man-hating feminist, so maybe I'm not attuned to what the oversensitive PC response would be.