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Title IX investigation recommends changes at UC Medical Center after misconduct claims

532 views · Published 26 November 2018 · 4:22 · Indexed 1 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A Title IX investigation at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center recommends UC make changes to prevent misconduct after two women claim they were exposed to a toxic work environment full of racism, sexism and unwanted sexual advances.

The investigation, conducted by an attorney hired by UC, finds two prominent doctors may have violated the university's code of conduct. It also suggests disciplinary action after several women alleged harassment and misconduct.

One of those women, Sarah Jacobs, has worked at UC Medical Center for a decade.

“In a lot of ways, it's been great,” said Jacobs.

But the last year has been anything but great for the UC graduate.

“I grind my teeth at night. I have nightmares,” said Jacobs, who is an administrative supervisor in the general surgery department. Jacobs told investigators Dr. Michael Edwards and Dr. Kenneth Davis have fostered a hostile work environment, subjecting staff to racism and sexism.

“Sometimes it was subtle and sometimes it was blatant and direct, and when you have someone in tears over how they're being treated by a supervisor in the workplace, that's just not right,” said Jacobs.

Jamilah Kinebrew says the harassment got so bad, she quit.

“I have been through so much with them and it's still tough,” said Kinebrew through tears.

Kinebrew, who now lives in Texas, says she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances from Dr. Edwards -- which Dr. Edwards denies -- while receiving vulgar emails from Dr. Davis.

The Title IX investigation found Dr. Davis was told to stop sending those emails through his UC account. He did but continued sending them to employees' personal accounts from his personal account.

“There were attempts to stop it and they were just ignored,” said Jacobs.

The Title IX investigation finds Dr. Davis did not engage in discrimination or harassment but his behavior implicates UC’s conduct policy and his actions should be reviewed.

As for Dr. Edwards, the investigation found "his conduct did not constitute harassment or discrimination under university policies.”

The report goes on to say "sexual and gender-based animus exists within the department of surgery because of verbal comments, inappropriate discussions and a failure to discipline."

The report also says college leadership should review the findings to ensure professional conduct.

Jacobs and Kinebrew say that's not enough.

“I would love to see UC Health, UC the college, UC physicians, I would like them to do the right thing and the right thing is to clean house,” said Kinebrew.

“I don't think Dr. Edwards should be running the department of surgery. I think he has abused the trust given to him,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs still works at UC Health. She says she's not suing the university because she doesn't want any financial gain -- she just wants institutional change.

As for Kinebrew, she now lives in Texas doing the same job she did in Cincinnati.

While the investigations call for the university to take action, it remains to be seen what specific action the university will take.

A university spokesman released the following statement on behalf of Andrew T. Filak, Jr., MD, the interim dean and senior vice president of health affairs:

“The two reports regarding employee behavior were finalized and provided to the complainant and the college just today, and I will review the findings, decide upon and take disciplinary actions and remedial steps as appropriate and necessary. As the new college leader, I have been in place since August of this year, and I am committed to systematic and consistent enforcement of university policies and education around a respectful, civil and inclusive environment, working with UC’s Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion to provide training, workshops and assessments. The college will also work with the Association of American Medical Colleges related to issues of culture, as some of these challenges are national in their scope and nature."

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