Dr. Louis Kwong, former chief of orthopedics at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations leading to the hospital’s probationary accreditation status.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center’s Former Chief of Orthopedics Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations
At Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Louis Kwong, the former chief of orthopedics has left amid sexual misconduct allegations. The hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Griselda Gutierrez, informed staff on March 13th, leaving the nature of his departure unclear. Kwong had been on paid leave since March 2022 per county rules, according to the crime report of Daily Brun.
Orthopedic surgeons Drs. Haleh Badkoobehi and Jennifer Hsu, alongside former emergency medicine director Dr. Madonna Fernandez-Frackelton, filed lawsuits alleging misconduct dating back to 2013, including carrying a firearm and ignoring complaints.
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Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Under Fire
Former UCLA medical student Dr. Melani Cargle filed a lawsuit in June alleging similar misconduct, raising concerns about the hospital’s complaint handling. In June 2022, the Accreditation Council placed Harbor-UCLA Medical Center on probationary accreditation status impacting its educational mission.
Furthermore, Kwong’s exit and Dr. Darrell W. Harrington’s resignation amid misconduct issues highlight systemic problems. The hospital’s probation status underscores accountability concerns as plaintiffs allege complaints were ignored emphasizing the need for reform.
