Status report on Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic
Editor’s note: The UW–Madison Equity and Diversity Center concluded a thorough investigation earlier this month into charges of harassment and discrimination at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic (REI). That report was made public on Monday following a media request, along with statements of reaction from both the School of Medicine and Public Health and the university administration. Both statements follow.
It is important to note that the REI Clinic physicians and staff continue to meet the important needs of their patients for infertility care. School of Medicine and Public Health leaders have a comprehensive plan in place to ensure that a respectful and professional environment exists for patient care and teaching. That plan includes a daily monitoring of the program to insuring there is no harassing and disruptive behavior. An experienced clinical manager has also been hired to ensure efficient daily operations.
Statement from Casey Nagy, executive assistant to the chancellor, on the investigation into the UW Reproductive Endocrinology Program (REI):
July 24, 2006
“The University of Wisconsin remains committed to providing a top-quality clinic to serve the needs of southern Wisconsin couples seeking help with having children. However, this long-term goal cannot be achieved until the entrenched problems with clinic’s morale and climate are resolved. I understand that Robert Golden, dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health, is moving quickly to implement the five recommendations outlined in the report.
“While no finding of discrimination or harassment was made, the report identifies grave concerns that go beyond the scope of allegations raised by the complainant. First, the report paints a picture of a disturbing environment among the three lead physicians at the clinic, a picture that was acknowledged publicly several months ago. That environment appears to have damaged relationships with some patients, students and staff, and certainly had a detrimental effect on relationships among the three physicians. Second, the report indicates that the environment there was a matter of concern to some medical students, and that the school should work to improve the suitability of the clinic as an educational resource.
“Finally, there is testimony related to questionable behavior, sexually suggestive and insensitive comments, and failures of oversight at REI that would be inappropriate in any professional setting — and are particularly so in a sensitive medical environment such as this one. The testimony of one patient notes that the infertility treatment process is ‘deeply personal, confidential, expensive and emotional.’ While plausible reasons for engaging in this kind of conduct were put forth by some participants, this type of environment requires a clear line be drawn on acceptable behavior. That line was crossed.
“During the past several months, UW Health leadership has been carefully monitoring the clinic. We are confident that Dean Golden is addressing the problems outlined in this report, and that he will continue stringent efforts to ensure a healthy work climate that respects patients, staff and students.
“I would like to thank investigator Stephen Appell of the Equity and Diversity Resource Center (EDRC) for his thorough investigation of discrimination and harassment allegations filed by a physician of the REI Clinic.”
UW Health Statement on EDRC Report on Dr. Pritts’ Grievance
July 24, 2006
The UW School of Medicine and Public Health has received the report of the Equity and Diversity Resource Center (EDRC) regarding Dr. Pritts’ complaint, dated July 6, 2006.
We appreciate the investigator’s thorough review of the serious charges made by one of our faculty including interviews with a large number of faculty and staff involved in the Reproductive Endocrinology Program (REI). The School immediately addressed each of the report’s five recommendations.
In addition to acting on the recommendations in the report, UW Health took a series of steps over the last several months to address the situation the report describes. We established daily monitoring of the REI clinical program to assure there is no harassment or disruptive behavior that could conflict with patient care or teaching. We hired an experienced clinic manager to ensure that day-to-day operations improve and meet patient needs. UW Health leadership met several times with staff and emphasized that staff should make our leadership aware of any inappropriate behavior. While tension remains among members of this faculty group, they have continued to meet the important needs of their patients for infertility care. Patients are receiving all requisite clinical care consistent with our commitment to maintain this important clinical service. Patients, as well as our trainees, are being treated respectfully.
The education mission for Reproductive Endocrinology has been restored with OB/Gyn resident physicians again receiving learning experiences in REI. At this time, medical students are not working in the REI clinic, as this specialized clinical area is beyond the scope of the required medical student curriculum. Medical students have the opportunity to learn about advanced reproductive endocrinology through a number of venues, if desired.
While the EDRC report made no finding of sexual harassment, the investigator and the School’s leadership find the described conduct of the physicians involved to be extremely troubling and unacceptable. All physicians are subject to a conduct policy which is supported with corrective action measures. We will not tolerate recurrence of the inappropriate behaviors described in the report.
Robert N. Golden, MD Dean, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Jeffrey E. Grossman, MD President and CEO, UW Medical Foundation Senior Associate Dean for Medical Affairs, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Donna K. Sollenberger President and CEO, UW Hospital and Clinics