RICHLAND, Wash. – Dr. Mark Mulholland, an OB-GYN who practiced at Kadlec for over 20 years, is now facing several lawsuits. Allegations against him include sexual assault and unnecessary medical procedures.
Attorney Elizabeth Hanley, involved in the case, emphasized the gravity of the allegations, stating, “I want to be clear that these civil lawsuits are a last resort for women who, since 2003, have been reporting issues with sexual assault or unnecessary medical procedures.”
Mulholland’s case has seen legal notices filed on behalf of both Kadlec and the doctor. Efforts to obtain statements from their lawyers have been unsuccessful.
Kadlec confirmed Mulholland is not currently practicing there but did not clarify if he is fired, suspended, or on leave.
The Washington Medical Commission, overseeing doctor licensing and monitoring, confirmed Mulholland’s status is under investigation. As of last month, they received 19 complaints against him.
Attorney Tamara Holder, a Kamiakin High School graduate, known for settling a major doctor-patient abuse case in Illinois, is representing some of the women claiming to be victims of Mulholland.
She stated, “There are all kinds of different abuses this man engaged in. There’s medical abuse, sexual abuse, battery, sexual harassment.”
One woman, who requested to remain anonymous, alleged Mulholland removed her fallopian tubes without her knowledge. She recounted, “They ended up doing an emergency C-section. And at the time, I thought they were going to perform was a tubal ligation, getting my tubes tied. After that, I actually just found out last year, that that is not what he did. What he did was take my insides out. He cut it out. I no longer have my [fallopian] tubes. After they took the baby, everything got quiet. I don’t know who that person was, but he asked Doctor Mulholland: ‘Why are you doing it that way?’ His response was, ‘the insurance pays more money this way.'”
Another alleged victim claimed Mulholland performed an unnecessary pelvic exam. She shared her frustration with Kadlec and Providence, saying, “I knew what he did was without and not within the standard of care. I received a response from them saying that someone would be in contact. No one ever called me back.”
Despite being in an adjacent medical field, this woman expressed feelings of guilt and self-doubt. She recounted a conversation with a doctor friend who recognized Mulholland’s name, saying, “Everybody knows, the hospital’s known for decades. They do nothing. No one is going to call you back.” She continued, “It’s effectively institutionalized, sanctioned sexual assault. And this cycle will continue under the watchful eye of these institutions in the name of payment for insurance coverage.”
The situation surrounding Dr. Mulholland continues to develop as court proceedings unfold. NonStop Local will continue to monitor updates.
