Growing Number of Female Patients Allege Providence and Kadlec Ignored Complaints of Doctor Sexual Abuse

SEATTLE – A new lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court by Jane Doe 101, represented by attorneys Elizabeth Hanley of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender and Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law, adds to the mounting allegations of sexual abuse and gender-based discrimination against Tri-Cities OB-GYN Mark Mulholland.

Jane Doe 101 alleges that in 2022, after surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, Mulholland subjected her to a painful and unnecessary pelvic “exam” at Kadlec Clinic, in Richland, where he shoved his entire hand inside her vagina without informed consent or an explanation. When she cried out in pain, Mulholland laughed, withdrew his hand, then said, “I will only use two fingers,” before continuing the invasive “exam.”

The complaint further alleges that Mulholland ignored Jane Doe’s medical needs, made dismissive comments about her medical concerns, and exploited his position of trust as her first gynecologist. Jane Doe 101 revealed that she did not recognize the conduct as sexual abuse until recently, when she learned that Mulholland was under investigation for assaulting other patients.

Jane Doe 101’s lawsuit signals a pattern of misconduct stretching back more than two decades. Since as early as 2003, Providence and Kadlec began receiving complaints about Mulholland engaging in suspicious behavior including unnecessary, and gloveless pelvic “exams;” as well as fat-shaming and abusive language yet the institutions allowed him to continue seeing patients until June of this year.

“Mulholland’s behavior with Jane Doe 101 was not an isolated incident, it was part of a decades-long pattern that Kadlec and Providence ignored,” said Hanley. “The survivors who continue to come forward today are playing a critical role – not only does it signal that this behavior is unacceptable, but they are giving other survivors the courage to come forward and share their story.”

“As a Kamiakin graduate myself, these cases hit close to home,” added Holder. “Our clients were failed twice: first by their doctor, then by the very institutions that promised safe, respectful care. We are devoted to obtaining justice for our clients, and to exposing how Providence and Kadlec profited off Mulholland’s alleged abuse rather than protecting the community.”

Jane Doe 101’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of sex-based discrimination, failure to protect patients, and institutional negligence.

If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out to tamaraholderlaw.com or SGB as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is not unlimited.

To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: sgb-law.com or tamaraholderlaw.com.