Three female physicians are suing Los Angeles County and alleging that Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, Calif., ignored multiple complaints against the hospital's former orthopedic department head, NBC News reported Oct. 11.
Orthopedic surgeons Haleh Badkoobehi, MD, and Jennifer Hsu, MD, and former director of emergency medicine Madonna Fernandez-Frackelton, MD, filed their lawsuit earlier this month. They allege Louis Kwong, MD, put patients at risk and created a toxic work environment.
Their lawsuit alleges sexual misconduct on unconscious patients, delaying acute surgeries in favor of elective procedures and making misogynistic comments to staff.
The physicians were either demoted or retaliated against when they reported Dr. Kwong's behavior, their lawsuit alleges. They also allege the hospital ignored written and verbal complaints about him over the years.
Los Angeles County oversees Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Kwong was put on administrative leave in 2022, and LA County hired a law firm. That firm declined to comment for NBC News.
A spokesperson for the LA County Department of Health Services didn't comment on the lawsuit but told NBC News, "Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is committed to the health and safety of our patients and staff. These allegations of misconduct are being thoroughly investigated and, if substantiated, will result in appropriate corrective actions. We deeply value the trust the public places in our dedicated medical and patient care teams. Safeguarding patient care is our highest priority."