Doctor suspended from uOttawa for pro-Palestinian posts reinstated, but won't go back
A University of Ottawa resident doctor who was suspended following pro-Palestinian social media posts two months ago has been reinstated at the school.
Speaking to CTV News on Sunday, Dr. Yipeng Ge says he has mixed feelings and isn’t looking to return to the school.
"I’m looking to transfer universities," said Dr. Ge, who attended the uOttawa for nearly eight years.
"Based on some of my most recent conversations, which have been really disappointing with the faculty and leadership, I am going to exit training all together and find opportunities or work that way."
In November, the fourth-year resident in public health and preventative medicine was abruptly suspended from the university. At the time, it wasn’t clear why, but many say it was for supporting the Palestinian cause and for being critical of Israel online.
In a blog post, a faculty of medicine member called Ge’s social media posts anti-Semitic.
"I reported that faculty member to the Faculty of Medicine through a professions portal two days before my suspension," he said.
CTV News has reached out to the faculty member for comment, but did not hear back.
At the time of the suspension, the university confirmed they received complaints regarding a medical resident’s alleged breach of the Faculty of Medicine and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s professional standards, but did not directly name Ge.
The university received online backlash following his suspension. A Change.org petition in support of Ge received over 100,000 signatures.
Additionally, Ge resigned from the Canadian Medical Association's board of directors in December, saying at the time his relationship with the organization had become "untenable" and "irreparable."
Last week, the University of Ottawa’s School of Epidemiology and Public Health announced on social media that Dr. Ge had been reinstated.
"We are thrilled to welcome back our outstanding learner and colleague, Dr. Yipeng Ge," the post said.
Ge said he was disappointed in the school's decision-making.
"It was really disingenuous of the institution to do what it’s done to me and kind of expect me to move forward and continue supporting the institution," he said.
"I will continue to do what I know to be true to myself, which is looking after my patients and the community in the best way that I know how."
Ge graduated from uOttawa as a Doctor of Medicine in 2020 and had been serving his five-year residency program at uOttawa and its affiliated hospitals.
He says he visited the West Bank while taking courses at Harvard University.
"I was able to attend a trip with other grad students at Harvard in March of last year to learn first hand from people on the ground, Palestinians," he said.
CTV News reached out to the University of Ottawa for comment, but did not receive a response.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.