German Jews have slammed a decision by a leading medical organization to bestow a top honor on a prominent physician who was once a member of the SS and the Nazi party.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Sewering, 92, was one of four physicians honored with the top award of the Professional Association of German Internists (BDI), on March 30, 75 years after he joined the paramilitary SS organization the year that Adolf Hitler was elected chancellor of Germany. Sewering joined the Nazi party a year later, but denies he took part in the murder of innocent people.

Still, Jewish leaders in Germany said the award sends the "wrong sign." "The BDI is not facing the history of the medics during the Nazi period..." said Stephan Kramer, general secretary of Germany's Central Council of Jews. "It is a very, very bad sign that people are not eager nor open to looking into the past... This is absolutely the wrong signal and it's a scandal."