Michigan State University in East Lansing will fire William Strampel, DO, the dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Strampel told police he never followed up after ordering former sports physician Larry Nassar to have a third person present during certain treatments, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Here are five things to know:
1. Interim President John Engler decided to fire Dr. Strampel in his first major personnel action since temporarily taking the helm at MSU. Mr. Nassar was convicted of molesting girls and women who came to him for treatment, including members of the USA Gymnastics Team. He was also found in possession of child pornography.
2. Dr. Strampel was dean of the MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine until he took a leave of absence for medical reasons in December. He still has tenure, protecting his employment status as a Michigan State faculty member.
3. Mr. Engler said he will ask a faculty committee to revoke Dr. Strampel's status.
4. In 2014, Mr. Nassar was under investigation for allegedly assaulting Amanda Thomasow. The investigation concluded that his bare-handed penetration "technique" was not sexual in nature. Dr. Strampel ordered Mr. Nassar to have another medical staffer in the room when providing treatment to "anything close to a sensitive area." He also said any skin-to-skin contact needed to be explained in detail.
5. Many of Mr. Nassar's victims are suing Dr. Strampel, but MSU will not cover his legal expenses.
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