194. Cancelled From Cancer Care: Social Worker Tammy Weitzman Fired Over DEI

Licensed clinical social worker Tammy Weitzman dedicated 23 years of her career to caring for cancer patients—from the moment of diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and sometimes end of life. But her stellar track record as a source of comfort to ailing patients in their hour of need wasn’t enough for her to keep her job. Tammy’s story reveals how DEI ideology can infiltrate even the most sacred spaces in healthcare, ultimately costing her everything she'd worked for.

Tammy describes how her workplace at Seattle's Fred Hutch Cancer Center transformed after 2017, when self-described "social justice warriors" entered her department. She was called a "white kike" by a colleague, harassed for her friendship with someone in the Trump administration, and subjected to mandatory DEI sessions that dismissed her own experiences with antisemitism. When she pushed back against an email encouraging therapists to bring political conversations into patient care, she received a three-page complaint accusing her of "white privilege"—and was terminated ten days later for "lack of ethnic sensitivity."

We explore what it means when institutions prioritize ideology over their core mission, how the female-dominated helping professions have become breeding grounds for social aggression masked as compassion, and what it takes to rebuild after your career and character have been destroyed. Tammy shares how she filed a lawsuit that settled quickly, relocated across the country, and rebuilt her practice from the ground up—all while becoming a source of support for others experiencing similar persecution.

A licensed clinical social worker for 25 years, Tammy Weitzman has presented her work around the world. Born and raised in Toronto, she completed her graduate degree in New York. Tammy spent most of her career caring for cancer patients and their families, particularly those undergoing treatment of hematologic malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and stem cell transplantation. Although gifted at her job, her career took a downturn when “woke” colleagues created a hostile working atmosphere, harassing her with antisemitic slurs. After she objected to a colleague sending a biased political article to social workers over company email, Tammy was abruptly terminated from her job in Seattle. Tammy now counsels in private practice as an LCSW in North Carolina.
Tammy's counseling website

Email: tammyw@wefixbrains.com

Books mentioned in this episode:

- Imagine Heaven by John Burke

- Imagine the God of Heaven by John Burke

[00:00:00] Start
[00:07:22] Why Oncology: Father's Death from Cancer
[00:11:57] Wisdom from a Dying Patient
[00:20:41] 2017: Social Justice Warriors Arrive
[00:34:28] Called a "White Kike" by Colleague
[00:44:00] Friend in Trump Administration Exposed
[00:54:19] Terminated for "Lack of Ethnic Sensitivity"
[00:56:01] Decision to Fight Back
[01:09:52] Filing Lawsuit and Rebuilding Life

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.