Los Angeles County and Louis Kwong, M.D., former head of the orthopedics department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles County, are facing a number of employment violation allegations related to the medical center and Dr. Kwong’s alleged behavior.
At least two lawsuits have been filed against Dr. Kwong and Los Angeles County in Los Angeles Superior Court. Los Angeles County operates the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The allegations include retaliation, hostile work environment, harassment, gender discrimination, and pregnancy discrimination. Dr. Kwong was placed on administrative leave last year.
One lawsuit was filed by orthopedic surgeons Haleh Badkoobehi, M.D., MPH and Jennifer Hsu, M.D. Another lawsuit was filed by Madonna Fernandez-Frackelton, M.D., Harbor-UCLA Medical Center’s former director of emergency medicine.
There are a number of claims being made against Dr. Kwong. Some of these claims allege that Dr. Kwong committed sexual misconduct on unconscious patients at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. This includes an allegation that Dr. Kwong was observed inserting fingers into a surgical hip wound and making sexual noises.
Another claim against Dr. Kwong is that he purportedly delayed performing acute procedures to perform elective procedures. Additionally, it is alleged that Dr. Kwong had his staff switch an operating room monitor to a baseball game during a surgical procedure.
The physicians who filed lawsuits assert that Harbor-UCLA ignored their complaints. They also contend that when they complained about Dr. Kwong’s behavior they were demoted or retaliated against.
In a comment to the press, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center stated, “Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is committed to the health and safety of our patients and staff. These misconduct allegations 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.”
