Two former University of Washington medical residents who participated in the Washington Physicians Health Program are suing the program, alleging it harmed them financially and professionally, according to court documents obtained by Becker’s.
Dorender Gray, MD, and Temi Ogunleye, MD, filed the lawsuit, which seeks to represent a class of people who participated in WPHP from 2015 to present. Both physicians claim that the program “hurt their financial and mental health and set their careers back,” according to an April 28 report by NPR affiliate KUOW.
Dr. Oguneleye was a resident at Harborview Medical Center, and Dr. Gray was at UW’s obstetrics-gynecology program. They both struggled with job performance and mental health and were referred to WPHP by their supervisors.
However, both physicians say they were required to complete “improper” treatment before returning to work, including psychological testing at one of WPHP’s ‘preferred providers,’ according to the lawsuit. Both of the ‘preferred providers’ concluded that plaintiffs suffered from significant mental deficits. The plaintiffs claim that the reports were riddled with basic errors.
The plaintiffs further allege that they were misdiagnosed and received a medical report that belonged to another patient entirely, but were not cleared to work by WPHP. Neither plaintiff currently practices in Washington.
WPHP is a nonprofit organization and a contractor of the Washington State Department of Health. The lawsuit does not name the University of Washington as a plaintiff, and a spokesperson for the university told KUOW that they were unable to comment on the case in an April 30 report.
WPHP is seeking dismissal of the lawsuit on the ground that programs such as theirs, known as “physician health and voluntary substance use disorder monitoring programs” are “immune from civil liability” under state law, according to KUOW.
WPHP provided the following statement to Becker’s:
“WPHP has been named in a recently filed legal complaint. While we cannot comment on the specifics of active litigation, we believe the claims are without merit and are responding vigorously through the appropriate legal process. At the same time, we recognize that situations involving a physician’s health, training, or ability to practice can be deeply difficult and life-altering. We have compassion for those navigating these challenges, including the individuals referenced in the complaint, as well as for the impact on their families and colleagues.”
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