Boston Doctor Succeeds In Claiming Conscientious Objector Status

An Army doctor has succeeded in her attempt to obtain conscientious objector status after her religious beliefs changed since her enlistment. Anesthesiologist Mary Hanna will repay with interest the money the government spent on her medical education. Yesterday's Boston Globe reported that a Boston federal district court reversed the ruling of an Army review board denying CO status. The review board had relied extensively on evidence that the doctor's Coptic Orthodox faith does not have pacifism as one of its tenets. Last month the same court had issued a temporary injunction barring the Army from forcing Dr. Hanna into active duty. (See prior posting.)