Nonprofit physician support program faces lawsuit from two docs who say it irreparably damaged their careers

A nonprofit contractor of the Washington State Department of Health is being sued by two medical residents who allege the program—designed to support the mental and physical well-being of doctors—was nothing but a nightmare that derailed their careers. 

The Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) is a confidential support service for healthcare professionals in the state, whose reported mission is to provide resources to support the careers of doctors and to ensure they, and their practices, stay healthy as they care for patients. 

But, in a lawsuit filed in King County court, two former University of Washington medical students who joined WPHP said they now feel the organization is “difficult ever to exit,” writing in the lawsuit that it is “[f]ar from a place that helps doctors get better, WPHP has become a place that ruins lives and derails careers.”

Dorender Gray, MD, and Temi Ogunleye, MD, are primary plaintiffs in the complaint filed in February. However, their lawsuit is seeking class action status, looking to represent anyone who participated in WPHP over the last decade. 

Both doctors said in the lawsuit that they struggled to keep up with the pace of their jobs and were succumbing to burnout, which is why their employers referred them to WPHP.

The organization, with the approval of the employers, subjected the doctors to mandatory evaluations as a condition of keeping their jobs, the duo allege in court documents. Further, it’s alleged they were misdiagnosed with mental conditions that would require treatment. 

"They each were made to undergo psychological testing at one of WPHP's preferred providers,” the lawsuit reads. "Both of the 'preferred providers' concluded that Plaintiffs suffered from significant mental deficits. Each report, however, was riddled with basic errors."

The lawsuit goes on to allege that WPHP screwed up the paperwork, and that the diagnosed conditions were meant for others being evaluated. All the same, the group allegedly refused to clear the medical residents to return to work until they sought treatment.

Nonprofit denies allegations

According to coverage from local NPR KUOW, Gray and Ogunleye are no longer licensed to practice medicine in Washington, something they allege is directly linked to WPHP’s mishap.

The outlet reports that a state law in Washington forbids public health programs from being subject to civil lawsuits. As such, WPHP is seeking to have the complaint dismissed. 

In a statement, the nonprofit said that it “cannot comment on the specifics of active litigation” but added that it believed the claims to be “without merit.” It went on to defend its core mission. 

“At the same time, we recognize that situations involving a physician’s health, training, or ability to practice can be deeply difficult and life-altering,” a spokesperson said, “We have compassion for those navigating these challenges, including the individuals referenced in the complaint, as well as for the impact on their families and colleagues."

This is a developing story. The lawsuit is still pending. 

For more, read NPR KUOW’s full story at the link below.