Cleveland Clinic fires doctor who posted anti-semitic comments, threats on social media

Courtesy Cleveland Clinic

The Cleveland Clinic has fired a physician who, over the course of several years, made numerous anti-semitic comments and even threats on social media. The physician, who was identified as Laura Kollab, worked as a resident physician at the Cleveland Clinic from July to September 2018. According to reports, her medical license expires in 2021.

Kollab was three months into her first-year residency when the posts came to light. Cleveland Clinic confirmed in a statement that she no longer works there and that she was fired because of her posts, which spanned seven years. They stressed that no patient harm had been reported as a result of Kollab's work there.

Reports say Kollab frequently called for violence against Jewish people or threatened to harm them. In one post, she said she would "purposely give all the yahood the wrong meds." She also referred to Jews as "dogs," diminished the Holocaust saying it was exaggerated and tweeted that "Allah will kill the Jews," reports said.

Cleveland Clinic said when the issue was brought to their attention, swift action was taken. Also, her social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have been deactivated.

THE TREND

According to an NPR report, the Anti-Defamation League's 2017 Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents identified nearly 2,000 anti-Semitic incidents, marking the highest single-year increase since the organization released its first audit in 1979. In 2016, the figure was 1,267.

The audit tracks vandalism, harassment or assault reported to the ADL by law enforcement, media and victims. The incidents are assessed by ADL staff members for credibility.

ON THE RECORD

"This individual was employed as a supervised, first-year resident at our hospital from July to September 2018. When we learned of the social media post, we took immediate action, conducted an internal review and placed her on administrative leave. Her departure was related to those posts and she has not worked at Cleveland Clinic since September.

For first-year residents, multiple safeguards and direct supervision are required for patient care and prescribing medicine. In addition, there have been no reports of any patient harm related to her work during the time she was here.  

In no way do these beliefs reflect those of our organization. We fully embrace diversity, inclusion and a culture of safety and respect across our entire health system," Cleveland Clinic said.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn
Email the writer: beth.sanborn@himssmedia.com