'Dr. Oz' dancing 'nurses' draw ire of nurse groups

[December 07, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A "Dr. Oz Show" segment that featured women costumed as sexy nurses is drawing fire from groups representing the nursing profession.

A November episode of the syndicated TV show included a segment about dancing to lose weight. At one point, series host Dr. Mehmet Oz briefly danced onstage with six women wearing high heels, retro nurses' caps and white dresses with red lingerie showing.

Sandy Summers, executive director of the nonprofit group The Truth About Nursing, called the segment demoralizing and demeaning to nurses. Her organization launched a letter-writing campaign encouraging others to protest the depiction.

A spokeswoman for the American Nurses Association called it a "sexist caricature" of nursing.

In a statement Monday, the "Dr. Oz" show offered an apology to anyone offended and said the doctor has the highest respect for nurses.

[Associated Press]

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