A Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital physician claims she was racially profiled by two Delta Airlines staff members while trying to stabilize a patient mid-flight, according to CNN.
Fatima Stanford, MD, who also works at Boston-based Harvard Medical School, told CNN she was flying from Indianapolis to Boston on Oct. 30 when a passenger next to her started shaking and hyperventilating. She said she was approached by a flight attendant during the incident who asked to confirm whether Dr. Stanford was a physician.
She said she was later approached by a second flight attendant who asked to view her medical license. A short time later, both flight attendants returned and began questioning Dr. Stanford's credentials and allegedly asked if her medical license belonged to her.
"The validity of me as a physician [was] being called into question," Dr. Stanford told CNN, adding that she later took to social media to explain the incident.
Dr. Stanford told CNN Delta reached out to her on social media, email and through a phone call. Delta is investigating the incident. The airline told CNN the flight attendants "initially misread the credentials offered by the doctor and went to reconfirm her specific medical discipline."
"We are following up with the crew to ensure proper policy is followed. Dr. Stanford's care for the passenger remained uninterrupted throughout the duration of the medical issue," the Delta spokesperson said.
Delta has dealt with similar issues in the past. In 2016, Tamika Cross, MD, wrote a viral Facebook post discussing how Delta flight attendants discriminated against her by refusing to let her help a man who was unresponsive. The post helped spur the online #WhatADoctorLooksLike movement.
In December 2016, Delta updated its policy during in-flight emergencies, stating flight attendants no longer need to verify an individual's medical credentials.
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