Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) in Maryland has made a significant step towards “inclusivity” by releasing a comprehensive guide that introduces the use of 50 gender-neutral pronouns on staff identification badges. The guide is designed to instruct employees on the correct use of these pronouns in interactions with both colleagues and patients. It also includes guidelines on replacing traditional honorifics like “Mr.” and “Miss” with the gender-neutral “Mx.” Furthermore, the guide recommends staff inquire about a person’s preferred gender identity, advocating for dialogue and understanding in these matters.
JHM’s initiative reflects a progressive change made in March 2022, when it amended its ID badge policy. This change allows staff to align their identification with their chosen name, which extends to badges and wristbands. Despite this, medical personnel in Washington, D.C. are required to use badges matching their professional certification.
In line with changes to Maryland law, public safety officers at JHM are also permitted to display their chosen name on their badges. However, this move towards inclusivity has raised concerns. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a retired professor and former associate dean for curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, underscores the necessity of clear and effective communication between healthcare providers and their patients. Goldfarb suggests that aligning pronouns with identification badges might reveal a person’s ideological and political views, which could potentially harm the physician-patient relationship. He also warns against using names suggesting different genders, citing the same potential risk to the patient-doctor relationship.
Despite these concerns, JHM remains committed to promoting a gender inclusive environment The institution continues to encourage its staff, faculty, and employees to express their preferred gender identity on their identification badges.
