Elizabeth Hanley speaks with local news about lawsuits against Tri-Cities OBGYN Dr. Mark Mulholland
SGB Attorney Elizabeth Hanley and Co-Counsel Tamara Holder detail civil lawsuits and police reports of abuse by Mulholland
Elizabeth Hanley of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle and Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law in Chicago – both longtime advocates for survivors of sexual abuse – recently spoke with several media outlets in the Tri-Cities area regarding the growing number of lawsuits filed against Dr. Mark E. Mulholland, who practiced as an OB-GYN in the Richland, Washington, until as recently as June of this year.
Hanley and Holder commented both on allegations against Dr. Mulholland and on the role of his employers, Providence Health & Services and Kadlec Regional Medical Center, who failed to protect their patients and ignored patient complaints for over two decades.
In an interview with NonStop Local, they underscore the documented history of patient complaints of sexual abuse, as detailed in the recently filed lawsuits against Dr. Mulholland. Survivors describe experiencing unnecessary and painful pelvic “exams” that went beyond the norm, explicit comments about their bodies, and, in one case, the unsanctioned and unwarranted removal of her fallopian tubes, leaving her unable to conceive.
The Tri-City Herald also highlighted that two police reports were filed alleging sexual abuse by Mulholland, detailing unnecessary, aggressive pelvic “exams” and inappropriate remarks. The first was dismissed by the Richland Police Department, and no charges have been filed.
A story from KEPR explores police reports tied to Mulholland, one of which was previously dropped due to insufficient cause for an arrest, and another that remains under investigation. In the article, Hanley emphasizes, “It's been Washington law for decades that just because sex assault occurs during a medical examination by someone wearing a white coat, that does not insulate anyone.”
Elizabeth and Tamara are committed to pursuing justice for survivors and encourage any former patients of Dr. Mulholland who believe they may have been harmed to come forward. Learn more about the lawsuits here.
