Kaiser Permanente hires third party to investigate claims against late pediatrician Dr. Michael Wilmington
May 15-Kaiser Permanente has hired a third party to investigate claims the now-deceased Clark County pediatrician Dr. Michael Wilmington sexually abused patients in his care.
Wilmington, of La Center, was found dead by apparent suicide along a Lewis County highway May 2, a day after a Clark County judge issued a warrant for his arrest for first-degree child molestation.
He worked at the Kaiser Permanente Salmon Creek Medical Office and was employed by the healthcare organization for over two decades. Police say he had been affiliated with multiple medical facilities in the Vancouver-Portland metro area for 35 years.
"We have initiated an ... investigation led by Helen Cantwell of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a former federal and state prosecutor with extensive experience leading sensitive investigations, to help us understand all relevant facts and inform our practices going forward," Kaiser Permanente said in a news release Friday.
Cantwell is a co-chair of the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Her experience includes investigations involving allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment, dating back to her time as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office's Sex Crimes Unit, according to the firm's website.
Vancouver police were investigating Wilmington, 61, in connection with three other Clark County residents - former PeaceHealth employee Chad Hartley, 36, his wife, Anna May Hartley, 41, and William J. Sneiderwine III, 61, all of Vancouver.
Police said their investigation found Wilmington hosted naked sleepovers with young children at his residence.
Kaiser Permanente spokesperson Debbie Karman previously said the organization fired Wilmington when it learned April 30 of the criminal investigation.
On Monday, an Oregon woman filed a lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente in King County Superior Court, alleging she was victimized as a child while a patient of Wilmington's. The lawsuit alleges the healthcare provider knew Wilmington posed a danger to its pediatric patients but failed to protect them.
Attorneys at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the woman, said it is the first in a series they plan to bring against Wilmington's former employer.
Kaiser Permanente has not commented on the allegations in the suit.
On Friday, Karman said "caring for children is among the most profound responsibilities we hold, and it rests on trust."
"The allegations against our former pediatrician, Dr. Wilmington, are serious," Karman said in a news release. "And they run counter to everything our mission requires of us."
Karman did not immediately have an estimate for the number of patients seen by Wilmington. Kaiser Permanente recently sent letters to families under Wilmington's care, but Karman did not know how many letters were sent.
Karman said the healthcare organization is committed to accountability and acting on what it learns from the third-party investigation.
Anyone aware of a child who had unsupervised contact with Wilmington should contact local law enforcement.
Kaiser employees with information relevant to the third-party investigation should reach out to Cantwell's investigative team at KPReview@debevoise.com.
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