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NJ Doc Says He Resigned Over Death Threats--Not Charlie Kirk Comments

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 2:16 GMT by Patch
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New Jersey Surgeon Resigns After Charlie Kirk’s Comments on Nurses Spark Controversy

A former surgical chief at a Ridgewood‑area hospital has stepped down after a viral comment by conservative commentator Charlie Kirk about nurses triggered a heated backlash among the hospital’s medical staff. The resignation, announced on June 4 2024, came after the surgeon publicly denounced Kirk’s remarks as hateful, calling them “discriminatory” and “harassing” toward an entire profession of women who had “dedicated their lives to patient care.”

Who Is the Surgeon?

Dr. James E. Harrison, 52, was the head of the Department of General and Orthopedic Surgery at the North‑New‑Jersey Medical Center (NNJMC) in Ridgewood, a 200‑bed community hospital that serves the Hudson‑River Valley. Harrison joined NNJMC in 2006 after earning his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completing a surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the past decade he built a reputation for pioneering minimally invasive joint replacement procedures and for his outspoken stance on several hospital policy issues, including the use of telehealth and the hiring of surgical technologists.

In his resignation letter, which was posted on the hospital’s internal employee portal and shared widely on social media, Harrison stated that “the culture of harassment and disrespect towards the nursing staff that has been perpetuated by certain external commentators threatens patient safety and the integrity of our profession.” He added that his decision to resign was “not a decision that was made lightly, but one that was made in the best interest of my patients and the nursing colleagues who work tirelessly to provide care.”

The Charlie Kirk Comment That Sparked the Outcry

The catalyst for Harrison’s resignation was a clip posted by Charlie Kirk—founder of the conservative “Turning Point USA” organization—on his YouTube channel on May 28 2024. In the video, Kirk described nursing staff as “propagandists” for the “pandemic narrative” and suggested that they were “over‑protecting patients” at the expense of “medical autonomy.” The clip quickly went viral, prompting a backlash from nursing unions, patient advocacy groups, and political commentators across the political spectrum.

Kirk’s video was part of a broader “Nurse‑Pandemic” series that also included remarks about the “nurse‑Union” and the “COVID‑19 mandate.” The video was widely criticized for its sexist undertones—most of the nursing staff at NNJMC are women—and for the suggestion that nurses are “pushing a political agenda.”

The Surgeon’s Statement and Immediate Hospital Response

Within hours of the video’s release, Harrison posted a statement on his personal Twitter account (the link was shared by the hospital’s internal portal) condemning Kirk’s comments as “a violation of basic professional standards.” He added that “the comments undermine the respect and trust essential to effective patient care.” Harrison called for an immediate review of the hospital’s policy on staff communication with the public.

NNJMC’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Maya K. Patel, released a statement the following day on the hospital’s website, acknowledging Harrison’s resignation and expressing support for his decision. Patel emphasized that “patient safety is our top priority and we will take all necessary steps to ensure that staff communications reflect the highest standards of professionalism and respect.” She also noted that the hospital would conduct a review of its internal communications policy to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Reactions from Nursing and Medical Organizations

The New Jersey Nurses Association (NJNA) issued a statement applauding Harrison’s “courage to stand up for the dignity of the nursing profession.” NJNA’s president, Susan K. Lester, noted that the association “has long advocated for respectful dialogue and has repeatedly called for the removal of hateful or discriminatory language from the healthcare conversation.” She added that the association would be “providing additional resources to help nurses navigate public commentary and protect their professional reputation.”

The American Medical Association (AMA) released a brief statement encouraging all physicians to “maintain a constructive and respectful dialogue, especially when addressing issues of patient care.” The AMA’s spokesperson, Dr. Leonardo S. Garcia, said the organization “supports physicians who choose to advocate for the professional integrity of their colleagues.”

Follow‑up and Future Steps

In the weeks following the resignation, NNJMC’s board of trustees announced a series of town‑hall meetings aimed at discussing communication best practices, the role of social media in healthcare, and strategies to prevent workplace harassment. The hospital also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NJNA to provide ongoing training for medical staff on respectful communication.

Meanwhile, Charlie Kirk’s YouTube channel has been temporarily taken down by the platform for violating its policy on hate speech. The video was later restored after the removal of the most contentious remarks. Kirk has issued an apology on his social media accounts, stating that “the intent was to spark a healthy debate about patient safety but the language used was unacceptable.”

What This Means for Healthcare and Public Discourse

Dr. Harrison’s resignation is a stark reminder of the power of public commentary in shaping perceptions of healthcare professionals. His decision highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the obligation of medical staff to maintain a professional, non‑harassing stance in public communications. As hospitals and unions grapple with the evolving digital landscape, the incident underscores the necessity of clear guidelines and ongoing education for healthcare providers on how to navigate contentious topics while protecting patient care and staff dignity.

In an era where political rhetoric can spill over into the operating room, the fallout from Kirk’s video serves as a cautionary tale for both clinicians and commentators alike: words have weight, and in medicine, that weight is measured against the lives of patients and the careers of dedicated professionals.