Portland, Ore.-based Oregon Health & Science University is pushing back on a demoted physician’s requests for records in her discrimination lawsuit against the university, The Lund Report reported Nov. 10.
Jennifer DeVoe, MD, who led OHSU’s family medicine department, filed suit in May. She alleges that School of Medicine Dean Dr. Nathan Selden demoted her after she won a Fulbright scholarship, amid a male-dominated “toxic culture” at the university. Dr. Selden told Dr. DeVoe she couldn’t accept the award because it would distract from her duties, according to a tort claim notice obtained by the outlet. More than 200 people signed a letter to OHSU leadership protesting her treatment. OHSU has denied the allegations.
In a September motion to compel, Dr. DeVoe’s attorney said OHSU has refused to turn over Dr. Selden’s personnel file and complaints filed against him by others. The motion argues the records would show that male department chairs who disagreed with Dr. Selden did not face retaliation. In court filings, OHSU said Dr. DeVoe’s legal team “significantly overreaches,” seeking entire personnel files and institution-wide communications “without meaningful limits tied to her claims.” In a late-October response, the university said it has provided more than 1,500 records so far.
The dispute is set for a Nov. 24 hearing in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Dr. Selden was listed as a finalist for president of the Medical University of South Carolina, according to the outlet.
“OHSU is committed to providing a work and learning environment that is respectful and safe for all. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or retaliation of any kind. OHSU is confident we have followed our HR processes and procedures in this case,” an OHSU spokesperson told The Lund Report earlier this year.
Becker’s has reached out to OHSU and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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