The billboard for Cheshire Regional Rehab Center, which said “Who’s caring for you mom?” and showed a shirtless man wearing just a stethoscope.
The billboard, which was located on I-84, was taken down after making national news. Many found the billboard offensive.
“As a nurse and especially a male nurse I find this both degrading and disgusting,” registered nurse Daryn Calsetta told FOX 61. “It almost says that male nurses are predatory or something. I also feel that a female only hiring practice is discriminatory.”
However, Victoria Walker, director of community awareness for Cheshire Regional, said the ad was not meant to be offensive or discriminatory.
“It’s not meant to be derogatory at all. We employ male nurses. They’re fantastic,” Walker said. “We really respect and appreciate the work that they do and they still work at our facility. More than half of the population at this facility is mixed gender, male and female and our nurses are the same. Just this one particular floor is available for females who prefer female only caregivers.
The billboard was initially set to be up through the end of the month.
