In His Own Words: "The Issues of an 'expert' who advises with no hands on experience the unique case of Elian Gonzalez resulting in  blatant disregard for professional standards and serious derailment of public opinion."


The Finlay Working Group in the case of Elian Gonzalez if formed by AMGordon,MD,PhD; GLorenzo,PsychD; AArias, PsychD;ECanton,MD; SInclan Cossio,MA; JCPerez-Espinosa, DO; MESoler-Baillo, MEd; and HInclan, BA.  It was formed in April, 2000 to canalize the experience and concerns of Cuban American medical and mental health  professionals into effective assistance
to Elian Gonzalez, the Gonzalez family and our community in this difficult situation. It has gathered under the auspices of the Finlay Institute of the Finlay Society, a non profit organization of physicians, medical students and their associates founded in 1978. Previsous areas of concern, investigation and assistance where the Finaly Society intervened have been: the health issues of the Mariel exodus, the Cuban HIV epidemic, the Cuban "optic neuritis" syndrome, and the dietary deficiencies of Cubans under the "periódo especial." The Finlay society has a web site at www.finlay-online.com and can be reached at P.O. Box 523096, Miami, Florida 33152

www.finlay-online.com
305-556-6459
305-841-4517
Contact person AM Gordon MD, PhD; Director
released April 19, 2000 9:30 am

The publicly broadcast intervention of Dr Irwin Redlener in the unique case of Elian Gonzalez has inflamed health care and mental health professionals
because of the radical nature of the recommendations made by the New York pediatrician and the absence of commonly acceptable professional standards in the presumed evaluation that led to such recommendations. We feel very strongly, that Dr. Redlener has also misinformed the public and may have either ill-directed the government officials and agencies who presumably sought him out to aid in this difficult situation or conspired with them to achieve their desired goal, to separate Elian Gonzalez from his nurturing Miami family and place him in the full and isolated custody of Juan Miguel Gonzalez. The issues on these relationships has been discussed in previous press releases.

Dr. Irwin E. Redlener graduated from the University of Miami in 1969 with an MD degree. He entered the postgraduate program in pediatrics at Jackson Memorial Hospital and gained the position of chief of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit there in the 1970's. He gained a dual appointment in the junior clinical faculty in Peddiatrics and in  Family Medicine. Suddenly, he  fell into disrepute leading to a non renewal of his professional and faculty contract. At that time he disappeared from professional life for some time to reappear later in New York working with the homeless.  He presently directs a mobile health service for the homeless in NYC. In our opinion, his own words condemn his current, blatant disregard for professional standards in the case of Elian Gonzalez.  These are excerpts of the writings of Dr. Redlener.

"Returning a child to a hostile home environment because we do not want to cause discomfort to the parents by questioning them is a violation of the rights of the child."

"Naturally, we do not wish to cause additional social harm, but to stem the alarming rise of child abuse we must urge those involved in treating suspect cases to ask questions until they are thoroughly satisfied."

Lancet 1976: 1 (7959):590

"One value specific to the practice of medicine and learned during professional training is "the responsibility of the doctor for the welfare of the patient: by this is meant the responsibility he has for the damage he may do to a patient if he performs badly and conversely for the good he  can do
if he performs properly."

"In those situations in which the value conflict is of such nature that it is non-negotiable, orthodox health professionals are urged to maintain a transcultural posture. It may provide the means of avoiding actions which amount to psychological violence imposed upon unwilling participants in an 
unequal struggle for dominance..."

Soc. Sci. Medicine 1979, 13B: 89-93

"The building itself....was condemnable under the codes of New York. These facilities were kept open because the city had no other place to shelter
many...Entering..., we were faced with human and social chaos. There were broken elevators and cracked walls, as well as evidence of drug dealing and prostitution. The rooms themselves were barren and dark...Children were everywhere; many were hungry. The parents were frustrated and frightened."

New Engl. Journal of Med 1994, 331:327.

We call for an immediate investigation of the professional responsibility of Dr Irwin Redlener and a full disclosure of his relations with the Clinton Administration, the Castro regime,  and the U.S. Department of Justice.




Contacts:
E-Mail: agordon@finlay-online.com Beeper# 305-841-4517