Explosive MUSC Memo Unearthed
For the second time in less than a year, allegations of personal and professional misconduct are being levied at the leadership of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
This time, the allegations are from a three-year-old memorandum that was written by a former MUSC forensic pathologist.
Who wrote the memo?
Sources tell FITS that the author is closely related to an “incredibly powerful” political figure in South Carolina, although they would not elaborate beyond that.
The allegations – which we have been told are still being investigated – were first revealed during an internal review of one of MUSC’s many departments back in August of 2006.
As part of the review process, faculty in the department were asked to submit feedback.
This memo was clearly more than they asked for …
As you can see, allegations of illicit relationships, misuse of public funds, sexual harassment and numerous other indiscretions fill its pages, painting a grim picture of just one department at a massive University – one that at the time this memo was written in 2006 hadn’t been reviewed in more than a decade.
At the center of the storm is department chair Janice M. Lage, who is portrayed as a petty, vindictive bureaucrat at best – a criminally-deceptive, wasteful and negligent administrator at worst.
Most interesting are the repeated references the memo contains to alleged conduct that would put MUSC at risk of multiple lawsuits – a likelihood that will no doubt will increase with its specific allegations being published here for the first time.
FITS has spoken with multiple sources at MUSC who have independently corroborated nearly all of the substantive accusations contained in the memo, although none would reveal its author to us.
Obviously MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg – who was copied on the memo – didn’t see a problem with Lage’s leadership, because she is still employed as the head of the department drawing a state salary of $220,000.
Developing …
Comments
By Just Checking on March 26th, 2009 at 9:17 am
looks like you typed that up on your typewriter…of course anyone with that many complaints would have just signed their name, as they cannot be fired for it…outcast yes, but fired no…and from the looks of it they probably weren’t well liked anyhow
By franksboy on March 26th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Hey, up there at Clemson, Mr. Jim Barker – come on out and be proud, – some other folks are taking your lead – you just have to be proud to have Dr. Ray Greenberg following your lessons – or, did you pass some tips to Dr. Greenberg for “handling the little people”??
By Watchman on Gadsden St. on March 26th, 2009 at 10:22 am
It’s hard to believe that the memorandum is three years old, since the author left MUSC just last Spring. And she wasn’t the only one to go…
This memo answers a lot of questions that I had.
By franksboy on March 26th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Just Checking – undoubtedly, you have never experience the retalliation heaped upon an employee after vocally or written complaint or grievance. I can only vouch for the emotional battering, slander, bogus “charges” and total hostility that is taking place at Clemson. Sounds like MUSC has some of the same disregard for employee health and safety.
By Just a thought on March 26th, 2009 at 10:58 am
as i commented yesterday, holderman part deux?
By Fiscal Conservative on March 26th, 2009 at 11:18 am
This is not news. Do you really think these things don’t happen in any public or private organization of 11,000 employees? It would really be a treat to see a positive, pro-South Carolina story of substance for a change.
By Watchman on Gadsden St. on March 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am
This most certainly is news. MUSC is an institution with excellent physicians, researchers, and ancillary staff. But when evidence of financial impropriety exists in the public setting, greater scrutiny is warranted. Lage’s conduct as chairwoman of the department should be thorougly and fairly reviewed.
By GnuBerry on March 26th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I tried to read the memo but it was too explosive, not to mention a little dirty from being unearthed.
By fitsnews on March 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
GnuBerry-
Your made a funny! Two of them!
Seriously, that is good stuff. Your first worthwhile comment ever. Congrats.
-FITS
By franksboy on March 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
You are correct about his not being News – HOWEVER -it should be News and should be covered in every detail until this mess is cleared up in out Institutions. I have always worked in the private sector and have never experienced the complete lack of care, lack of leadership and lack of willingness to face up to a problem than with the President of Clemson and, it appears, MUSC may be reaching that lofty reputation. Sure they go on but, it can and should be stopped and we certainly should not accept this attitude and human care by the Presidents of Clemson and, in this case, MUSC. Anyone can understand an underling getting involved and trying to intimidate his/her way out but, it is totally without excuse for a President to condone such actions – WHICH IS WHAT IS BEING DONE NOW – with apparently no oversight by any of our fine folks in State Government.
By James the Foot Soldier on March 26th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Interesting – apparently all the money MUSC spends on a compliance program is a waste – or the lawyers in that compliance department are incompetent.
Lawyers incompetent?
Redundant I know, but I digress.
The allegation Dr. Lage UNDERBID a private pathology group for services to Occonnee is a good thing – only in the minds of a physician would lower healthcare costs be considered a bad thing – just wait until President Obama’s healthcaer “reform” cuts physician pay – bwwaahh haaaa haaaa.
By Not funny on March 26th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
James,
You think physician pay cuts are a good thing? Just wait to see who takes care of you when you have your next heart attack/cancer/stroke/motor vehicle accident/poison ingestion/burn wound/broken bone/infectious disease/etc… Good physicians don’t go through a decade of training to be poorly compensated for their hard work.
By Truth Teller on March 26th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Well, another scandel. Guess what, another one is brewing now with the Dean Jerry Reves. I think he will be the next to be implicated and disciplined. His inability to lead has led to the shape that MUSC finds itself in. He is just too focused on attracting a few underperforming blacks to MUSC with full scholarships. He actually forced the COM Departments to cough up 2 million dollars to match the 2 million donated by UMA. All of this while many others are furloghed or losing their jobs entirely. Now the basic sciences are being reorganized. Thankfully, we will have a few underperforming blacks in the medical school! What a great plan! I’m sure patients would be excited to know that their physician was admitted (and given a full scholarship) not because of their knowledge or ability but because of the color of their skin. That would be enough for me to avoid minority physicians at MUSC.
By Chloe on March 26th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Truth Teller,
Wouldn’t it be nice if our institutions judged “not by the color of one’s skin, but by the content of one’s character”?
By James the Foot Solder on March 27th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Not Funny:
Thank you for totally missing the point.
Dr. Lage had the temerity to UNDERbid a private physician group to provide pathology services at Oconee Hospital. And the whining physician that made that “allegation” thought that was a bad thing!
No telling how much Oconee Hospital is saving but that money just might be enough to keep a nurse or an aide that actually provides hands on patient care from being laid off.
The only loser in this situation is the private physician group and I’m quite sure they’ll be able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and make their Mercedes payments.
The other point was a WARNING to the physician who thinks President Obama’s health care reform will do anything but cut physician pay.
Is that a good thing? Ask the folks that run Oconee.
I happen to believe America has the best health care system in the world and the only “crisis” is eminating from the folks that want someone else to pay for their healthcare.
By Rebecca on April 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am
How on earth did the Joint Commission miss this, among many other serious signs of noncompliance. Gee, has anyone considered that Uncle JC did find these failures and lies, which explains MUSC’s “cuts” in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement? PR can’t fix THAT one, or did it?
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