CMA President Peter N. Bretan, Jr., M.D., statement on George Floyd death
California Medical Association (CMA) President Peter N. Bretan, Jr., M.D., released the following statement in response to the death of George Floyd and institutionalized racism in America:
“The physicians of the California Medical Association were among the millions of Americans horrified by the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota. The seeming indifference to his suffering before his death is a glaring reminder that institutionalized racism remains endemic to the United States. His senseless death also requires us to confront the epidemic of state-sanctioned violence against people of color. As physicians dedicated to healing, we cannot choose to ignore the consequences of hatred and discrimination because we know they contribute to disparities in health outcomes for communities of color. They also negatively impact every facet of our lives from public safety and criminal justice to economic opportunity and public health.