Surgeon from I Am Jazz Fired After Posting Photos of Trans Patients' Genitals on Instagram
A University of Miami Health System surgeon has been fired after sharing photos of his transgender patients’ genitals on Instagram.
Dr. Christopher John Salgado, who is certified in plastic surgery in Florida and consulted with TLC star Jazz Jennings regarding her gender confirmation surgery on an episode of I Am Jazz, served as the section chief of UHealth’s LGBTQ Center for Wellness, Gender and Sexual Health, the Miami Herald reports.
As recently as Valentine’s Day, Salgado shared a photo of a patient’s removed penis, which he molded into a heart, according to archived photos obtained by The Trans Advocate.
“There are many ways to show your LOVE,” Salgado captioned the post shared on his since-deleted personal Instagram account @sexsurgeon.
The disgraced doctor also used derogatory slang terms to describe his patients’ private parts, according to the Herald.
In addition, Salgado shared a photo of himself wearing scrubs, holding an adult toy he claims he removed from a patient’s rectum, according to The Trans Advocate.
Salgado did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Salgado’s Instagram content prompted transgender advocates to launch a petition, calling for the American College of Surgeons to take action.
Salgado, however, is not a member of the American College of Surgeons, Miami Herald reported.
“Transgender patients are an incredibly vulnerable population as it relates to seeking medical care,” the petition states.
“We experience violence, neglect, misgendering, sexual assault, and more. To see a surgeon who claims to specialize in treating transgender patients using racist, homophobic, and transphobic hashtags… is beyond unacceptable.”
“Beyond Dr. Salgado’s blatant disrespect for trans people, his public vulgarity, lack of professionalism and questionable ethics around patient privacy must be immediately addressed.”
Lisa Worley a spokeswoman for UHealth confirmed that “Dr. Christopher Salgado is no longer employed by the University.”
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“The University of Miami is committed to promoting and supporting diversity in its students, faculty and staff. As health care providers, we continue to have a team of experts dedicated to delivering the full continuum of care for gender reassignments patients,” Worley added.
As of Wednesday, Salgado remains a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
“The American Society of Plastic Surgeons believes all patients deserve privacy and dignity. The plastic surgery speciality is privileged to provide care to the transgender community through gender affirming treatments, and we strongly condemn any disregard for human decency,” ASPS told PEOPLE.
It is not immediately clear if Salgado’s medical license will be revoked at this time.
