U-M Health System CEO calls delay in reporting child porn 'painful moment in our history'
Previous coverage
AnnArbor.com broke the news Sunday that university officials waited six months before filing a report with university police after records show a resident physician found child porn on a thumb drive in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Pescovitz
"The creation, use and distribution of child pornography is appalling on every level, and in situations like this when there are mistakes in how such a situation was handled, human nature makes us want to quickly identify and resolve the problem," Pescovitz wrote today on her blog, "Medicine That Speaks."
"However, jumping to quick conclusions and making assumptions with partial information isn't the answer. That's why the University is engaged in a comprehensive review into what went wrong in this particular case. This review and taking appropriate action are top priorities for President Coleman, for me and for leadership across the Health System and the University. We will make improvements to prevent this from happening again."
She wrote that the health system has a responsibility to "protect and care for the community's most vulnerable members."
"I want to take this opportunity to remind you — our valuable Health System faculty and staff — that is is our collective responsibility to be diligent in reporting behaviors and actions that are inappropriate, and that we applaud and support those who have the courage to do so. It isn't always easy to speak up, but it is always the right thing to do. And it is my and all leadership's responsibility to thoroughly and timely investigate reported concerns."
She reminded people that police haven't found any evidence of improper conduct with patients in the case.
"Undoubtedly, we should have done better. Moving forward, we will."
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
15crown00
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:25 a.m.
So do the right thing.Fire everybody involved and Resign Yourself. You Coveruppers.
anotheruofm
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 1:55 a.m.
I hope the public shows up for their monthly Regents meeting to share their disgust with the way this cover up came to light. I will be speaking and asking for names.
bunicula
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
@trespass : no doubt, Ms. Coleman has been busy with her extracurricular Board of Director memberships, which supplement her compensation by 55% !
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
That's another very good point! And we'd surely need to know whether somehow she was never able to "get to" considering how to proceed in this matter because she had sooo many other non-relevant-to-UM things on her well-gilded plate!
Trouble
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
Ora P. can " spin it " any way she wants. We ain't buyin it Ora P., we ain't buyin it!
quetzalcoatl
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
This all kinda reminds me of Sgt. Schultz on "Hogan's Heroes". You remember, the guard who always knew nothing, nothing.
Ron Granger
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.
Do you think she'll still get her bonus? Did she get her bonus at the end of 2011?
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
She might not now lol, but she probably got extra bonus last year!
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
She should be in line for a pink slip
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
@lumberg48108........how is it that you seem to know so much more about this incident than anyone else? This is a cover up and should be treated exactly like the one at Penn State....we are no better than them and this kind of thing must stop.
sHa
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
I've been wondering the same thing about lumberg48108...
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
If Lee Higgins could find out about this ten so could the department heads at the U of M. If this was not something of importance to them then they all should be fired because it is very important to society. Good Job Lee Higgins......Please keep digging for more things like this, we need to know what is going on behind closed doors at our State University's.
alan
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
Everyone seems pretty quick to condemn. They had no legal obligation. According to the original story, someone found a thumb drive which appeared to contain something and appeared to belong to someone but was gone when she returned. No judge will give anyone a search warrant for that. It also seems that initiating a police investigation based on 'someone said they think they saw something that might have belonged to so and so but it's not there anymore' is an invitation for a lawsuit. If you think that the law is deficient then change it. We can't enforce group moral outrage as a substitute for the law. Then it becomes too subjective and we all suffer.
momRN
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 6:03 p.m.
Shouldn't the Police be the ones to decide if they should investigate? Imagine if your child was being treated by a DOCTOR who had a CHILD porn fetish and that his employer KNEW that this was a possibility. THAT is an invitation to lawsuit. All the children in this mans care were placed at risk Morality should not have to be law, it should be was a person IS. There is nothing subjective about being outraged at a pediatrician looking at child porn, if you are not outraged, your morals are questionable.
sHa
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
If what you say is true, then how did they, in fact, get a search warrant?
Stephen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Fire them all.
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
I tried to post a comment in response to Pesvovitz's comment on the UM website but the moderator deleted my comment. I guess we know whether or not they want public comments. <a href="http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/984/my-comments-on-house-officer-allegationsinternal-review/#comment-555" rel='nofollow'>http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/984/my-comments-on-house-officer-allegationsinternal-review/#comment-555</a>
AJD
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
All right folks calling for heads on a platter. My personal desire is to see that the resident physician be locked up with other criminals and have bad, unmentionable things happen to him (trust me, I'm holding my tongue here). However, if we only rely on what the press is able to write, then we have only partial facts and a lot of congecture of what has occured. A knee jerk reaction (which is what I would do) is not always the best option, neither is waiting - but between the two there is the truth of what happened and it will be determined what went wrong, why it went wrong and I pray ways to fix it. Poeple citing the Joe Paterno/Pitt situation are conflating two only moderately similar situations. Please, let's not have a knee jerk reaction - find out the facts, find out who was responsible, hold them accountable and make sure nothing like this ever happens again. And for my own personal wish, make sure that resident physician never practices and perhaps has a few years in prison to consider what he's done.
JustMyOpinion
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
@ lumberg48108 I find it absurd that you categorize calling 911 as a bleeding heart response, seems more like common sense to me. What bother me the most is that you feel so sure about the system working, which creates the excuses for being derelict in reporting, as is what occurred here. I have called the police to report crimes I have witnessed and I have not only followed up with the Prosecutors office but gone so far as to go and meet with him. Some things are worth wrecking ones schedule over. I believe it's called personal responsibility.
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
@Michigan Man makes a very good point about physician training here... They are supposed to be inculcating a professional integrity here... Physicians training physicians is long-standing important activity... and here was one resident who in horror noted that a fellow resident has *child abuse depicted for the purposes of sexual excitement of those who find the abuse of children stimulating*--can that really be overemphasized in this context?! I'm not sure it can actually!--on his flashdrive. And not much more is done about it. I don't fault the resident who stepped forward. That wasn't easy to do perhaps. Because you know in that case that the resident whose suitability to become a pediatrician would come into deep question would deny it. And can you imagine having to try finishing up your work with him as a colleague, oh my. But what happened *afterwards* is a potentially huge indictment of the entire UM Health System. Truly. The facts need to be made clear now, if the UM has any hope of unsullying their reputation. This was a simple matter of calling the authorities at this point, and letting their investigation proceed. Am I in favor of witch-hunts about child porn? Not at all. I would like to see if the children who are being abused for the production thereof can be found and rescued of course. And perhaps referral of this case to the relevant *police* could have done this, no? But surely *nothing* could be achieved with silence except protecting the UM from having to either bother with the protestations of a pissed-off resident student if he was indeed not guilty of anything at all, or except protecting the UM from looking bad by having invited to work with children a pedophile or consumer of child porn, or except just deciding it wasn't worth the risk of having it found out that this resident *did* act in inappropriate ways with patients. None of those are good moves for the UM. And they reflect a now completely-suspect medical-education system.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
@AJD you make good points but how does your comment have anything to do with his comment, paraphrased into this sensible statement "Please, let's not have a knee jerk reaction - find out the facts, find out who was responsible, hold them accountable and make sure nothing like this ever happens again." This is completely logical
Michigan Man
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.
AJD - Residents physicians practice in the institutional culture established by the faculty, faculty leadership and hospital leadership. Attending physicians and faculty who are train/teach/lead residents are responsible for all things residents to including medical care, quality and patient outcomes. Writing this very serious matter off to unsupervised residents is incorrect, dangerous, silly and obviates the necessary physician leader and institutional investigation and subsequent corrective action activation.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
I love the commenters on here - because they think their hearts bleeds more than others they take a position of arrogance -- Some commenters call for cool heads and due diligence before making decisions regarding punishment and they repond with "should have called 911" --- get a clue -- folow up with the prosecutor? When is that ever done by someone reporting a crime? the sanctimonious comments are harder and harder to read; twisted with arrogance it makes these posts laughable taking a position that yours is superior does not make it so comparing apples and oranges is not good either --- on these comment pages one gets both
JustMyOpinion
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
What possible excuse could be acceptable for a 6 month delay in reporting a photograph (i.e. actual child) of child sexual abuse? I do not recall reading of any nuclear blast in the area or of a mass hemorrhagic plague. Short of that, its all excuses. What you are doing is elevating bureaucratic mumbo jumbo to the level of reason - any there isn't any reason here to be found. This is a very simple moral and ethical question ANY adult human being should be able to answer, regardless of employment position, salary or education: When YOU see EVIDENCE that a child has been / is being sexually abused, what do YOU do? Since you don't seem to get it, the answer is: CALL 911 and report it to the police and follow up with the Persecutor if you do not hear anything in reply by the next day. Notice I did not say 'call your employer' or 'call your mother or father' or 'call a friend'. Dial 911 - do the right thing. You may well save the life of child, and your own soul in the process.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.
@AJD --- thanks for a completely common sense post
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
am I the only one who thinks this case is being blown out of proportion a bit? This case is not a tragedy! there were no victims in the real sense - no child was molested at the U-M nor was a child molested by this doctor (as far as we know but that is irrelevant) of course they should have handled things better - their response is almost comical - and they should pay some pennance but lets tone it down folks - this was, for lack of a better phrase, a virtual crime and yes its illegal, but sans better response and reporting to police, it is not the schools/hospitals job to track down child pornographers - that is was police are for
sHa
Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:51 a.m.
@sheperd145 - From your comment, one could draw the conclusion that the safety and well-being of children is not important to you.
shepard145
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.
I agree with the original post but UM kicked over "the children!!!" hornets nest and the locals are hysterical ....this board's version of pitchforks and torches!!!" I'm surprised nobody has wondered why people who download forbidden picture aren't burned alive with their laptops. This is as close to a thought crime as we have in the United States.
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
@Michigan Man makes a very good point about physician training here... They are supposed to be inculcating a professional integrity here... Physicians training physicians is long-standing important activity... and here was one resident who in horror noted that a fellow resident has *child abuse depicted for the purposes of sexual excitement of those who find the abuse of children stimulating*--can that really be overemphasized in this context?! I'm not sure it can actually!--on his flashdrive. And not much more is done about it. I don't fault the resident who stepped forward. That wasn't easy to do perhaps. Because you know in that case that the resident whose suitability to become a pediatrician would come into deep question would deny it. And can you imagine having to try finishing up your work with him as a colleague, oh my. But what happened *afterwards* is a potentially huge indictment of the entire UM Health System. Truly. The facts need to be made clear now, if the UM has any hope of unsullying their reputation. This was a simple matter of calling the authorities at this point, and letting their investigation proceed. Am I in favor of witch-hunts about child porn? Not at all. I would like to see if the children who are being abused for the production thereof can be found and rescued of course. And perhaps referral of this case to the relevant *police* could have done this, no? But surely *nothing* could be achieved with silence except protecting the UM from having to either bother with the protestations of a pissed-off resident student if he was indeed not guilty of anything at all, or except protecting the UM from looking bad by having invited to work with children a pedophile or consumer of child porn, or except just deciding it wasn't worth the risk of having it found out that this resident *did* act in inappropriate ways with patients. None of those are good moves for the UM. And they reflect a now completely-suspect medical-education system.
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
"...that is what police are for..." exactly. so the U should have called them. And immediately had a real police-based investigation of anyone who was possibly consuming child-porn images and who *worked with kids*! As a doctor! Are you kidding me?! Child porn isn't just a niche variety of porn, don't you think?! You're okay with the idea of pediatricians getting excited by naked 10 year old girls?! Most adult men find that disturbing, even if they find naked 21 year old girls very compelling! You are okay with the idea that the UM didn't have a problem with letting a possible consumer of child porn finishing up his training to become a pediatrician!? I sure do...
momRN
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
Those ARE real kids. The children in those photos ARE someones children. It is a TRAGEDY for those children. My heart breaks for those victims. No, it is not the Universities responsibility to hunt down child pornographers, it IS the police's responsibility. It is the Universities responsibility to report criminals to the police. It is a moral responsibility at the very least.
liekkio
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
@ lumberg48108 You say: "Yes, the kids in the images were victims but they were not at U-M and taken from some sick website" How does this make it better? One of the recent examples of how such images come to be is here: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/teacher-arrested-bondage-photos-students/story?id=15480041" rel='nofollow'>http://abcnews.go.com/US/teacher-arrested-bondage-photos-students/story?id=15480041</a> By your logic, if Mr. Berndt shared some of his collection with another person outside of LA, this would become a "virtual crime" with no real victims?
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:33 p.m.
@lumberg48108........how is it that you seem to know so much more about this incident than anyone else? This is a cover up and should be treated exactly like the one at Penn State....we are no better than them and this kind of thing must stop.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
"just as bad as Penn State in one regard" -- being the issue of non-reporting. I would buy that to some extent expect Penn State had a real child molester and real kids as victims. Yes, the kids in the images were victims but they were not at U-M and taken from some sick website --- please stop comparing this case to Penn State folks - its not the same and constantly comapring it does not change the facts that these are two different instances that share a common backdrop but the details are not the same
Mick52
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.
I think "blown out of proportion" is a phrase not applicable here. And in most ways this is just as bad as Penn State in one regard, that being what gets reported to the police and who makes that decision and what is their reasoning for it. With the police department the rule to follow should be don't pick and choose, treat everyone the same. If you let one offender go on a particular charge, how do you explain that to the next one that you do charge? With some minor offenses a police officer can, and should exercise discretion, but that should only pertain to minor offense like traffic, etc. And my friend Trespass has frequently criticized the University's application of the trespass statute. Well perhaps in this case the person who decided not to report this to the police felt the same way about this incident for some reason. Happens all the time. Many people have a low opinion of the CJ system and think they know better.
a2citizen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:16 p.m.
@lumberg48108. It's not a virtual crime to the children in the photos.
godhelpus15
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
"is being blown out of proporition a bit?" seriously? how insulting. no quite frankly I don't believe it's getting the media attention it should. once the police confirmed through seizure of his personal property that he had pictures, people should have been screaming demanding answers from the UM as to why this guy was allowed to practice medicine until December 2011. SIX MONTHS after the thumb drive incident occurred. because as you state "no victim in the real sense" was present it makes it all the better." i don't even know what to say to people like you. so because the child couldn't be identified as one of his patients that doesn't mean he or she isn't a victim? you don't think being stripped of your childhood and having humilating pictures of you taken by adults that you are taught to trust is any less of a crime? disgusting. this continues to happen because people refuse to acknowledge that it goes on. unless someone is caught in the shower than it doesn't exist right? having been a victim i can tell you the photos are just as horrifying as the unspeakable acts themselves. i only wish more people had knee jerk reactions to protect all the millions of children that are being abused and distributed to sick and disturbed individuals. and yes it is the job of everyone to report on child pornographers. the police, FBI and feds are completely overwhelmed because it is such a wide spread problem that no one wants to deal with. guess what - deal with it, stand up for our kids and stop the abuse.
sHa
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
lumberg48108 - Yes, I did read your post. I stand by my previous comment. Little national play? I did not have to look too far: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-michiganhospital-,0,907380.story" rel='nofollow'>http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-michiganhospital-,0,907380.story</a>
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
@sHa did you even read my post? This is way overblown and the fact this story is getting little to no national play (or even Detroit media play) indicates that once again, people in Ann Arbor think they know best and more than everyone. i wrote --- but lets tone it down folks - this was, for lack of a better phrase, a virtual crime --- and that is a statement of fact. If you want to treat this like the Catholic Church or Penn State, I will call you out for shenanigans
sHa
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
The police were NOT NOTIFIED FOR SIX MONTHS after the incident. Your attempt to trivialize and minimize is inexcusable.
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
The cover up is worse than the crime (maybe not but). If this were an isolated incident it would be bad enough but it is the canary in the coal mine in terms of secrecy and cover up. Remember Chief Magee, Chief O'dell, Andrei Borisov, Alissa Zwick, trespass policy, DPS Oversight Committee. The list could go on and on.
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
The U of M must replace Pescovitz just as Penn State replaced Joe Paterno. The head of the department is responsible for setting policy and she failed to do this correctly. Anything less would be a travesty.
Mick52
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
Maybe when they asked Paterno what he knew and when he knew it it became very clear they had to let him go and waiting until further information came out would make it worse.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
Comparing these cases is apples and oranges and weak science comparing Pescovitz to Paterno is even weaker science since Pescovitz is more akin to an athletic director or school president. also, not everyone believes it was the correct move to displace Paterno so quickly as administrative leave would have worked the same while facts were gathered; his firing was a panic move by Penn State looking to save face U-M should not treat Pescovitz like Penn State treated Paterno precisely because these cases are apples and oranges
BhavanaJagat
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
'Medicine That Speaks' : Thanks to AnnArbor.com for including the hyperlink to the blog posted by the Hospital System CEO. I want to make it very clear to all of our readers that I am seeking the well-being of this house officer. It is our duty to provide him the tools to perform his duties and to modify his own behavior using scientific inferential knowledge about human nature and human behavior. I personally know as to how computers and internet service is used in the various central campus buildings of University of Michigan( excluding those of the Hospital System). I had worked for a private contractor and had access to all the University buildings and several of the computer labs and places where computers are used in these buildings. I know that the computers and internet services are frequently used to view adult pornographic material if not specifically that of child pornography. I would be very surprised if any of you would like to deny the fact of using computers and internet to view pornography. It describes a common human behavior. Please avoid haste, do not throw stones at the house officer or the Hospital. Human behavior is conditioned by external environmental influences. Many of us have lived before the advent of this era of computers and internet services. Most of us who use computers at home and at workplace are only a few mouse clicks away from pornography. I can suggest to this house officer and others to use human nature as an internal influence to control their own behavior, just like I do, and avoid the desire to view pornography while using computer and internet service. <a href="http://bhavanajagat.com/2012/01/06/spiritualism-and-knowledge-of-human-nature/" rel='nofollow'>http://bhavanajagat.com/2012/01/06/spiritualism-and-knowledge-of-human-nature/</a>
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
Sorry, dear student of human nature... Responsible adults can make the choice to view *adult* porn at home, but generally know how to draw the line at work. If they cannot, then very reasonably we can question the wisdom of letting them work in jobs where they get to interact with people in the ways physicians interact with people. And, then, *child* porn is not about sex but about pedophilia. One can argue that many forms of even adult porn is about power and abuse as well, but that is *always* the case with child porn. One can perhaps wonder whether someone who is 'caught' with some child-porn images viewed them 'by accident', because the internet is a strange place and all...but that's what I would want an investigation to discover and we know nothing about what the U did here... Surely they owed it to *everyone* to consider any any any evidence that child-porn was being consumed as very very serious indeed! They seem to have failed deeply in this...
lumberg48108
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
@a2citizen your comment is irrelvant because that is not the case in question how U-M reported or failed to report the incident is the case - end of story
James Leroux
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
Looks like there was a true attempt at concealing this material and bypassing IT detection. That material was on a memory stick along with documents in his name. He left the stick behind in error. That is how he got caught. This stick might have been used many time or not for viewing. This stick might have been used or not for distribution via hospital computer not a personal computer...not that it would make it more legal however the fact that he could not wait until home to view would suggest compulsive behavior. I do not disagree with you that humans are sexual beings, but this is clearly pathological. I also agree that today's technology along with the incredible number of hours certain professionals are required to work are contributing factors to these paths they take to express their sexuality. It is not a healthy way and should be addressed openly as part of our education in society in this day in time. As for this young man, perhaps practicing clinical medicine is not a good idea. Use his bright mind somewhere else.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
"It is our duty to provide him the tools to perform his duties and to modify his own behavior using scientific inferential knowledge about human nature and human behavior." Sorry, I am more concerned about the well being of the children exploited by people like him. No pity left.
Ron Granger
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
Devil's adovocate version: Pescovitz did her job well. She was almost able to cover this up, and spare the University the embarrassment. If not for Penn State, she probably would have.
Silly Sally
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 10:32 a.m.
Well, if this is similar to Penn State, but with pictures instead of a live boy, then should Mary Sue Coleman go, just as the president of Penn State was fired? I do not think so, unless she knew and covered it up. Did her direct report mentin this to her?
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
Yes, that *is* the devil's advocate version. And so we see that the 'devil' of trying to avoid bad publicity may very well have been present in the UM Health System's President's Office as she decided what to do here. We need to do an investigation--from *outside* the institution itself!--to make sure that 'devil' doesn't rear it's head again. Because what would stop it, if the same *people* are in office? New "procedures", that can be faulted as 'not well understood' or 'unclearly outlined' the *next* time something like this happens? This now becomes, ironically for anyone up at the top who tried to do 'right' by covering stuff up, the *only* way to save the reputation of the institution! The *only* way. Remorse for 'failed procedures' is *not* enough now!
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
The U of M must replace Pescovitz just as Penn State replaced Joe Paterno. The head of the department is responsible for setting policy and she failed to do this correctly. Anything less would be a travesty.
Ron Granger
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
It would be interesting to FOIA the reaction of the police department to this admission. I mean, they must have been completely shocked. When did the CEO, Pescovitz, know? It seems she must GO.
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:23 p.m.
If you really want to send a message, come join me at the Regents meeting and sign up to make a public comment about this case. The meeting is Thursday, February 16 at 3 PM. <a href="http://regents.umich.edu/meetings/publform.html" rel='nofollow'>http://regents.umich.edu/meetings/publform.html</a>
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.
The General Counsel dropped the ball on this. Should she have known better? Was she informed of the case? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia</a> Suellyn Scarnecchia is the general counsel and a vice president at the University of Michigan. "For 12 years, she worked in the University of Michigan Child Advocacy Law Clinic, concentrating on civil child abuse and neglect. "
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
My point is this. She has held herself up as being an expert in areas of child abuse and rights. She has written books and been cited. She is the person who oversees the Hospital General Counsel. Since they investigated and found nothing, I would think that she was privy to their investigation. It ended at the General Counsel. Did they (she) have a responsibility to report this to the police? Yes, I think so.
Ron Granger
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
What was her professional obligation to report that a crime had been committed? What does this mean to her law license?
Lee Higgins
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:59 a.m.
Other stories, posts and discussions about this topic: <a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/news/When-will-we-get-serious-about-reporting-child-sex-abuse/-/4714498/8567878/-/eikspdz/-/index.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/news/When-will-we-get-serious-about-reporting-child-sex-abuse/-/4714498/8567878/-/eikspdz/-/index.html</a> <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/washtenaw_county/u-of-m-hospital-investigates-6-month-lag-in-reporting-child-porn-discovery" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/washtenaw_county/u-of-m-hospital-investigates-6-month-lag-in-reporting-child-porn-discovery</a> <a href="http://www.fark.com/comments/6909358/And-this-months-Penn-State-award-for-delay-in-informing-authorities-of-child-sexual-exploitation-andor-pornography-goes-to-University-of-Michigan?startid=74628633" rel='nofollow'>http://www.fark.com/comments/6909358/And-this-months-Penn-State-award-for-delay-in-informing-authorities-of-child-sexual-exploitation-andor-pornography-goes-to-University-of-Michigan?startid=74628633</a> <a href="http://www.michigandaily.com/news/report-university-waited-six-months-reporting-man-child-pornography" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigandaily.com/news/report-university-waited-six-months-reporting-man-child-pornography</a> <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=157&f=1395&t=8639949" rel='nofollow'>http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=157&f=1395&t=8639949</a> <a href="http://schoolcrisisconsultant.blogspot.com/2012/01/u-of-m-child-porn-case-study-in-crisis.html" rel='nofollow'>http://schoolcrisisconsultant.blogspot.com/2012/01/u-of-m-child-porn-case-study-in-crisis.html</a>
Lily'sMom
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 9:05 a.m.
While I agree with Dr. Pescovitz's statement: "It is our collective responsibility to be diligent in reporting behaviors and actions that are inappropriate..., the extension of that sentence is frivolous: ...and that we applaud and support those who have the courage to do so". Her statement should also have included "behaviors and actions that are CRIMINAL and/or inappropriate". All professionals who work with children are obligated by law to report any incident that may involve child abuse, including children portrayed in pornography. This especially includes physicians, nurses, teachers, social workers and other professionals involved in caring for children. In addition, there should be a policy in place for all other employees to be aware of their responsibility in reporting suspicions to proper authorities. Care providers are not required to merely have 'courage' or to simply be applauded for doing their job, but they ARE required to know what the law states is their obligation. Less than this is criminal.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.
DHS said they didn't have an obligation because they did not identify the child in the photograph. Perhaps the problem we really have is with the U and DHS.
HowDareYou
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:52 a.m.
Accountability 101: Pescovitz needs to go! The system she heads had suffered a colossal failure in an area where there is zero tolerance - child abuse. She can't now hide behind all sorts of excuses, committees that are checking, and meaningless promises to learn the lessons for the future. No. She is responsible for the failure. Others will learn the lesson; the basic ethical principal for her is to take responsibility.She must resign or needs to be fired. But I highly doubt this will ever happened without a wide public outcry. Show me a university administrator that willingly will depart from her fat salary and all other benefits! Someone - create the facebook page - Pescovitz has to go.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:45 a.m.
Question. in the michigan daily comments, it states this <a href="http://www.michigandaily.com/news/dps-sheds-light-issues-public-crime-meeting?page=0,1" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigandaily.com/news/dps-sheds-light-issues-public-crime-meeting?page=0,1</a> "Detectives from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Dept. wanted to interview President Coleman for their investigation of O'dell's death but UM blocked any interview. " is this true?
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
@Kai Petainen is absolutely right. The coincidences here are way too suspicious.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
a power higher up... FBI?... must be brought in to make sure there is no link between the unfortunate coincidences. if his widely-reported depression was made any worse by this situation, then that should have serious consequences. (quite frankly, this incident depresses me) or, if the FBI can show there is absolutely no link, then that would be good to know as well. Whatever the case, an outside service needs to come in and conduct an external review. i'm not stating that there is a link or making that accusation, but i want an external group to investigate it.
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
Yes, the Sheriff's Department investigation of O'dell's death is being carefully controlled with little cooperation from UM or the AAPD. They are also hiding O'dell's emails from FOIA requests.
SW40
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 5:25 a.m.
People are still failing to see the big problem here. For years the University of Michigan has allowed their housing and hospital security officers to respond to crimes and then choose when to involve the university police department. A few posters have commented on the fact that security officers were using the title "Detective Sergeant" this is so because for years the University allowed civilian employees to work side by side with university police offiers in the detective bureau and investigate crimes. There needs to be a fundamental change in the security and police structure at UofM. It almost seems like the University benefits from their own bureaucracy in terms of using the "process" as an excuse.
James Leroux
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:40 a.m.
The question must be asked: who is feeling most pain here... How about the child in the photo? Let the FBI investigate if CPS does no have jurisdiction. Possession and distribution of child pornography is a Federal crime in a hospital or anywhere. If he is guilty, he will never finish his pediatric residency, will be stripped of his MD license and be on the sex offender registry. More scrutiny into the selection and credentialing of these individuals into medical school and residency is necessary.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 6:05 a.m.
James, from what I've heard, it is possible the feds will investigate this. At least one of the images is identified as one of those on the federal "prohibited and illegal" list (don't know the official name or where it's displayed). I also have the impression that in cases like this: the accused faces progressive "up the line" charges over a period of time, starting "at the bottom" and working up. Consumers of porn: are partially protected under the Constitution and so long as child porn isn't involved, there's "no crime" in the opinion of the courts. Privacy: so that makes it pretty near impossible to screen out those people from ANY occupation. We feel intense antipathy for consumers and producers of child porn: that is express to the extent possible in the laws we create. But "other porn" (the consensual adult porn) is apparently not so damaging and, judging by the reported size of the porn industry: there must be millions of consumers of that kind. I agree though: all possible must be done to control all aspects of child pornography.
shepard145
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:31 a.m.
I am disgusted by pedophiles as much as most people but the average Joe 12 pack has no idea how over the top these laws are. You download or otherwise have child porn on your PC, you go to jail and enjoy a few decades on the sexual predator list without ever touching a child. Seems like people get lighter sentences for real rape in some communities. This is as close to a thought crime as we have in the United States........so far.
shepard145
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Again, I am not defending these creeps but you seem to be claiming that people should be classified as pedophiles and go to jail because they've been "exposed" to a picture that might influence them to do something illegal in the future? Stalin agreed with you after WWII, deciding that soldiers captured or who fought outside of Russia had been exposed to potentially disruptive foreign ideas so put them in "re-education camps" for a decade or so just to be sure everyone was on the same page. …so if you are correct about the rationale for these laws, this is one case where a harmful physical act does not exist, but people are going to prison anyway because of something someone else did in the process of taking a photo – perhaps a decade ago or longer. …and your contention that it's okay because the image of that child might still be recognizable as an adult so the harm exists in space forever? …. These are virtual, thought crime laws that are more about politics than justice for child victims.
Silly Sally
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 10:19 a.m.
What I mean by "no child is harmed by someone viewing the picture" is that the picture was already taken and it could be 5 years old. That act is in the past. But I rescind what I said about the child not being harmed since if the kid is identified by others and the photo is widely distributed, then the child can be harmed into adulthood.
Silly Sally
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 10:14 a.m.
The danger is that while no child is harmed by someone viewing the picture, far too often with porn, those who view it want more and turn to more hard core porn and then for a few, when this is no longer enough, they turn to actual live people. This is bad when it is adults, far worse when it is children
shepard145
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
…so you think this is an economic problem? I am not going to defend pedophiles, however, you are nuts if you think these creeps write a business plan and then head down to the bank for a small business loan …and if they don't find customers, their child porn businesses closes!? If the world worked as you believe, ending this would be easy. What you miss is that these people don't do it for the money, they do it because they are born with an illegal kink – mis-wired from birth. All they can do is control it and if they fail, they can download an image that sends them to prison without leaving their bedroom. A lot of sexual behavior in the US was outlawed at one time but that did not erase any of those practices between consenting adults. That is also why the recidivism is so high for pedophiles – the money is irrelevant. This is as close to a thought crime as anything in the United States.
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
shepherd145, how do you think that that porn gets created for you to view??? You did "touch" and harm that child by being part of the system...you'd like to think that the average Joe 12 pack doesn't know how over the top these laws are, but you are fooling yourself - average Joe 12 pack is okay with these laws -
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:54 a.m.
"You download or otherwise have child porn on your PC, you go to jail and enjoy a few decades on the sexual predator list without ever touching a child." Sounds good to me. What part of this nasty crime don't people get?
DBH
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:43 a.m.
As I and others have pointed out on this site elsewhere, if one views child porn, one is part of the market and, therefore, part of the reason it exists in the first place. If there were no viewing of the images, the production (and, therefore, the abuse) of the children would be substantially reduced. It is not even close to a thought crime.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:37 a.m.
ann arbor.com it would be nice if you included a link to the blog,here... <a href="http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/984/my-comments-on-house-officer-allegationsinternal-review/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.medicinethatspeaks.org/984/my-comments-on-house-officer-allegationsinternal-review/</a>
Lee Higgins
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
We added the link. Thanks.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 11:58 a.m.
DBH, people are probably afraid to say what they really feel in fear of losing their jobs. This is an "in house" blog.
DBH
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:39 a.m.
Thanks for that, Kai. As of the time of this reply, there were no comments listed in response to her entry. I find that surprising and odd.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:25 a.m.
I propose a 7 week class on ethics. And how about a textbook. Let's call the textbook, "Unethical Legal Behavior: A How To Guide for Students" It'll teach about what is legal, but might be considered unethical by others. We can combine law, marketing, public relations.... Folks at the hospital get paid a lot.... as it is a high risk, high reward profession. You do well, you get a lot of money. You are rewarded. But if you don't do well.... then the market should react accordingly. This is what happens in football. Hopefully we'll find out who did what well, and who didn't. Go... Blue? I wish I could say it... and I am a huge fan of this university, but today I am disheartened and disappointed. Please, fix this instead of giving legal excuses.
Scott
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:45 a.m.
$700, 000 a year and Ora doesn't have in place a policy that if you find illegal material belonging to an employee dial 911? This woman is nothing more than a rich hack and mouthpiece for the overpaid and arrogant physicians. She recently said that "only those in the healthcare profession can fix healthcare". You don't even have a procedure in to call 911 when felony material (child porn) is found on an employees possession and you are going to fix healthcare from the inside. Ora needs to be fired so she can live out her life in opulence on a beach somewhere. I'm sure she'll collect a few million in severance and can haul in boatloads of $ as a part time consultant and sitting on the board of a few doctor controlled quasi government board of directors. Sic semper tyrannis
godhelpus15
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
i completely agree with you. as a side note though, when you dial 911 from inhouse numbers you get campus security. if you dial 911 from your cell phone and tell them your on UM property they will send you to campus security for non-emergency life threatening type issues.
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:03 a.m.
The poor child raped at Mott's Children Hospital a few months back and now this? This is all inexcusable and all occurred on University of Michigan property! Gross negligence doesn't even begin to describe this...
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
A commentary on this situation. <a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/news/When-will-we-get-serious-about-reporting-child-sex-abuse/-/4714498/8567878/-/eikspdz/-/index.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/news/When-will-we-get-serious-about-reporting-child-sex-abuse/-/4714498/8567878/-/eikspdz/-/index.html</a>
JustMyOpinion
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
"Detective Sargent" is derelict in his duty as any kind of law enforcement - private or public - and needs to be "the former Detective Sargent".
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:07 a.m.
One of the excuses that UM is using is that they were confused as to whether or not they were talking to police. I would point to one case where a security officer was routinely using the title "Detective Seargent", which was known by the campus police officers he worked with. Anyone who is talking to a detective seargent is going to assume he is police. Security guards must use titles that clearly indicate that they are not police. Even saying officer so and so is confusing.
mohomed
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
Interesting that a sculpture just across the street of the Hospital (off of Glen Ave) is a Naked man, woman, and young boy child. The father is holding the boy close to private region. This statue is a little disturbing for a society that wears clothes. Why a Greek nude with naked boy and man together. The only statue like this I believe on campus is found on Health System grounds.
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
lol @Middle America... um, @mohomed, I think, just for the record lol, that this little group of people represents a family. Some cultural traditions don't have a problem with the idea that under our clothes, we are naked, and some cultural traditions don't even have a problem with the idea that families together don't need to hide their nakedness from each other. This is so utterly and completely different from the nakedness depicted in the image that this resident was alleged to have had. And what exactly is "greek" about that statue lol?!
Middle America
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:22 a.m.
dang ol' naked people claimin' to be art! offensive! knock it on down and put up a year round manger scene with lil' baby jesus!
JustMyOpinion
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
She needs to go, and quite a few others as well. This is a failure of command to set expectations and make clear that inaction will not be tolerated.
A2Boiler
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.
"And it is important to remember that there is no evidence of improper conduct with patients in this case." The old 'were not as bad as Penn State" defense. How aspirational.
Scott
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:50 a.m.
no but possession of child pornography is a felony and she did nothing for what ? 6 months. please. She is a physician and is owned by the arrogant physicians. The crime may not have been as severe but the cover-up was just as bad. If Ora isn't fired from her $700,000 dollar a year job plus benefits than U of M has no integrity. Zero
Roadman
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.
Why the delay? Easy. The University of Michigan Health System does not benefit from the investigation or attendant publicity arising out of an charges or suspicion of these type of actions that are believed to have occurred i.e. possession of child pornograhy. Not only bad publicity for the hospital but the potential for legal liability if those photos conceivably may involve patients of the hospital. Not to mention the reputation and employment of those supervisory staff who may have had notice of such improper conduct but failed to take appropriate action. Same reasons most school districts abhor investigation of alleged sex abusing teachers.
say it plain
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:46 p.m.
exactly right @godhelpus15...I would think it should deeply tarnish UM Med School's reputation for *anyone* involved in deciding on med-school reputations. Nasty for what it implies about their commitment to integrity for physicians. Nasty for what it implies about their commitment to the best care for patients. Nasty for what it implies about their commitment to work-environments for residents--I am sorry for the poor resident who came forward with this and had to see it, from what it looks like here, terribly and perhaps scandalously mishandled. I'd have my son or daughter look elsewhere professionally if they went into medicine, it really seems like an ethical problem. If they are serious about it being elsewise, then I'd hope they'd allow an outsider to investigate. And I'd hope they'd allow an outsider to look into what happened with their chief of police resigning and then continuing on in a depression that led to suicide. I'd hope they wouldn't resist an investigation into O'Dell's emails, for instance. And that they would truly avoid further 'circling the wagons' on this. Those who are claiming there aren't obvious parallels to the Penn State case aren't paying full attention I think. This is also an issue of integrity, or lack thereof, among people charged with serving children and acting as an institution to support those who truly care about children. Worrying about possible legal liability is the last thing you want when ethics clearly indicate that you at the *very least* take any indication of unseemly behavior deeply seriously... And when all you'd have to do at that point is to *call the outside authorities* and let them do their jobs!
godhelpus15
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
i understand the need for investigation and the typical CYA scenario - but SIX months. that's inexcusible and quite frankly a huge liablity for UMHS. this isn't an incident of a chemical spill or missing funds. i'm disgusting that they allowed him to practice medicine. when this happens in the schools usually suspension occurs until the outcome of the investigation. if anything UMHS has given the example of WHAT NOT TO DO. great job - go blue!
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
I still don't get it. The problem doesn't go away. It only gets worse....which could only wreak more havoc as far as publicity is concerned and also create more liability.
Scott
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
Just like Penn state. Expediency over integrity.
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.
<a href="http://www.securityoncampus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=318%3Ajeanne-clery-act-text&catid=64%3Acleryact&Itemid=60" rel='nofollow'>http://www.securityoncampus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=318%3Ajeanne-clery-act-text&catid=64%3Acleryact&Itemid=60</a> The Clery Act requires policies which include: (ii) the working relationship of campus security personnel with State and local law enforcement agencies, including whether the institution has agreements with such agencies, such as written memoranda of understanding, for the investigation of alleged criminal offenses; and (iii) policies which encourage accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the campus police and the appropriate law enforcement agencies. AND (3) Each institution participating in any program under this title shall make timely reports to the campus community on crimes considered to be a threat to other students and employees described in paragraph (1)(F) that are reported to campus security or local law police agencies. Such reports shall be provided to students and employees in a manner that is timely and that will aid in the prevention of similar occurrences. AND (B) (i) All entries that are required pursuant to this paragraph shall, except where disclosure of such information is prohibited by law or such disclosure would jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim, be open to public inspection within two business days of the initial report being made to the department or a campus security authority. Any of these provisions may have been violated in this case.
Scott
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:52 a.m.
They all were violated and so was integrity and common sense.
NorthMaple
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.
An honest question: is this a violation of the Cleary Act? I don't know if viewing child porn legally makes the accused "an unsafe element" for the university community. Just curious if someone knows the details of the law.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
So who is The General Counsel and what do they do? Office of the Vice President and General Counsel <a href="http://www.ogc.umich.edu/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ogc.umich.edu/</a>
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:35 a.m.
Ms Scarnecchia oversees the Health System General Counsel and other offices as well. Her previous position would seem to indicate that she would be interested in this case.
trespass
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.
The General Counsel is a Vice President and reports directly to President Coleman. When did the General Counsel report this to President Coleman?
OnTheRight
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.
The Health System legal office would probably be the lead in-house legal counsel for this matter. They are basically a good group, but at the University very few issues are allowed to be handled in simple, straightforward or common-sense ways. The layers of departments and committees (and committees set up to supervise those committees), and the political jockeying between all involved parties, tends to delay action and cloud judgement.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:41 a.m.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suellyn_Scarnecchia</a>
Cash
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
The law may on the side of UM upper echelon....but in the Court of Public Opinion they are guilty as sin. I have nothing but contempt for the General Counsel who took it upon themselves to decide they didn't have a "crime". If that was their child laying there, as described in prior articles....would that still be their decision? Or because it was some anonymous child, unknown to them did that child not matter enough to get the police to investigate? Spin, spin, spin....but there's no way to come out looking good folks.
15crown00
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:26 a.m.
Agree Completely.
a2citizen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
Actually, the "General Counsel" is probably the one that needs to be terminated.
sHa
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.
I am waiting for the Office of General Counsel to explain their reason for not reporting it to the police.
average joe
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
And it isn't General Counsel's responsibility to decide if there was a crime. That's what so smelly here.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
If Penn State was willing to fire Joe Pa over something simular to this then the U of M should be willing to fire some department heads over this. The U of M is no better than Penn State when it comes to this disgraceful conduct. Fire them and set an example, just as Penn State did.
a2citizen
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
Had the thumb drive been found at the Athletic Campus someone would have already been fired.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.
"It's safe to say that there were gaps in procedures," Fitzgerald said. "The procedures are at fault here, not the people." Poppycock! Of course there is personal responsibility here. The University administration will try to say it is all about bad procedures but no person is responsible. That is their standard response but in this case it will be a travesty if no one is held responsible.
15crown00
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:32 a.m.
A basic question Who is responsible for implementing and following procedures? Procedures can't be responsible for implementing themselves.No flesh and blood humans,People,do that. there in lies the cause.PR be damned.
Linda Peck
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.
This is the way of big institutions and corporations - nobody has to take responsibility for their huge mistakes! It is a disgrace! Someone should be prosecuted for negligence at the very least.
javajolt1
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
The announcement was pretty contrite. That's a pretty big mea culpa from the top. There's really nothing more they can say. it's a good first start. Now comes the messy part of revealing the details and internal failures....with specifics. That isnt going to be easy for big UM either!
Steve
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
I don't think they have a choice. To compound one cover up with a second would be suicidal.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:15 a.m.
You really think they will "reveal the details"? I don't.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
If you want real reform at the University of Michigan you need to elect regents who are knowlegible enough to know how to fix this. You need to restore shared governance with the faculty so that the corporate administrators don't hide the truth. Read more at <a href="http://www.professorkaufmanforregent.com" rel='nofollow'>www.professorkaufmanforregent.com</a>
a2citizen
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:17 p.m.
If Joe Paterno does not get fired on November 8, this incident does not come to light on November 21 and quite possible never would.
Ron Granger
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
Agreed. In fact, I made a very similar comment in an earlier version of this story. My comment was removed.
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:07 p.m.
I never thought that I would be grateful for the Penn St. case, but at least the uproar over it seems to have motivated someone. Thanks to the "hospital security official" for finally coming forward and reporting it to the police.
average joe
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
The timing speaks volumes.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.
The UM administration knew about this delay since November. Why did they not say anything about it until an intrepid AA.com reporter, Lee Higgins, took the initiative to find the search warrant?
Goober
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
Several need to quit over this. The delay is advising the proper authorities immediately is not acceptable. Nothing, absolutely nothing can defend these actions.
Mick52
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
Yup. To me, the most interesting point in re all this is, Why wasn't this reported to the police? That (honest) answer is the one I want the most (including who made the decision).
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
Bravo!
Michigan Man
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.
Very weak executive response from the U of M healthsyste andms leader and U of M President. 35+ years ago I served as an ER medical social worker in a very large Michigan hospital. Reporting suspected cases of child abuse/child neglect was one aspect of my position. Reporting is really very simple = Pick up the phone and call the proper external authorities. Last I knew for those who failed to report they are a risk for liabilities on the failure to report side. U of M, St. Joe the Washtenaw County Medical Society need to stand tall, be more visible in their mission of patient protection (especially those who are vulnerable and on the losing side of the power relationship with physicians = children and adolescents) and renounce the recent cases in Ann Arbor of pediatric provider interest in child porn as antithetical to the very mission they promote. Silly comments that we can "do better" are an insufficient response to these very serious and recent healthcare matters in Ann Arbor.
Scott
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:53 a.m.
If the president doesn't fire Ora he should be fired. Tomorrow.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:10 p.m.
You were present at the Regents' meeting when I warned you in November that the UM was protecting the institution at the expense of the victims. You ignored me, so don't act as if this a surprise. This is just another example. This is normal behavior for the UM administration of President Coleman and particularly the General Cousel's Office. We need a house cleaning.
anotheruofm
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 2 a.m.
How about Susan Balkema-General Counsel, Marilyn Hollier-Director Hospital Security, Tony Denton Director General Counsel, Corbi Wells-Hospital Investigator. Here are the names you want to talk too.
UtrespassM
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
Believe or not, there are people on medical campus here feel so sorry for the guy and are not happy to the woman who made the report.
DBH
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
Given the circumstances as they are now known to have occurred, this seems like a reasonable and prudent stance and I expect UM Health System will devise an effective plan for handling similar situations in the future. I also feel, though, that UM will have a responsibility, as a public institution providing medical care for the public, to share with the public what went wrong and what their future strategy will be in preventing such oversights in the future. It can't just be kept in-house.
jcj
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
"People are going to turn away never to return." I doubt it. This is not like a private doctors office. It will have minimal effect on who goes to the U hospital. But hopefully a big effect on how they operate.
DBH
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
To @trespass and (especially) @RuralMom, reread my comment again, paying particular attention to the first phrase: "Given the circumstances as they are now known to have occurred..." My comment in no way excused UM or anyone else involved for the behavior, or lack of behavior, leading up to this declaration by Dr. Pescovitz. Given what is now known about what has happened (in its totality), the plan enunciated by Dr. Pescovitz seems reasonable and prudent. They and everyone (i.e., the public) needs to know what happened and how it happened. This includes tryiing to identify the child in the video, if possible, how miscommunications occurred, who dropped the ball(s), etc. Once the facts are known, then action can be taken, including resignations and firings, if that is deemed appropriate. Should things have been handled differently, in a more timely manner? Of course! My comment never stated otherwise.
RuralMom
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
I guess in your world it is reasonable and prudent to leave children at risk! Children have RIGHTS too, number one would be to be protected from harm by people who take an oath to do no harm.
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
There was a huge coverup and now they must fire someone, maybe a few should go.
trespass
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
If this is a reasonable and prudent stance why did they wait until AA.com found the search warrant before they told the public about their "painful moment"?
Linda Peck
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
With emotions very high on this matter, "reasonable and prudent" are appropriate but there will be much more to be said on this subject and definitely this will need to be a public issue. Trust in the University's medical system has eroded significantly here. People are going to turn away never to return.