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UC Medical Center doctor at center of 2 Title IX investigations

582 views · Published 28 November 2018 · 3:25 · Indexed 13 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Local 12 has uncovered another Title IX investigation involving a prominent doctor at UC Medical Center. Dr. Michael Edwards is one of the two doctors who were at the center of another investigation from 2018.

In this investigation from 2017, Edwards was accused and cleared of harassment and discrimination. The Title IX investigation says Edwards' conduct could be interpreted as disrespectful, discourteous and intimidating. It also says several witnesses questioned if the UC College of Medicine could conduct its own investigation and whether there would be retaliation.

In the 2017 investigation, Dr. Edwards was accused of harassment and discrimination of Dr. Riesa Burnett. The plastic surgeon told investigators she was exposed to unprofessional conduct by Edwards, who is the head of surgery at UC Medical Center. Investigators found that “the record does not support a conclusion that there is reasonable cause to believe that university policy of non-discrimination has been violated."

Burnett told Local 12 she left UC because of Edwards' conduct. In a statement, Burnett says she's "not surprised someone else has decided to speak out against Dr. Edwards and his abusive practices. His treatment of me seemed completely unwarranted."

Dr. Burnett is referring to two investigations Local 12 first reported on Tuesday. Investigators said complaints against Dr. Kenneth Davis and Dr. Edwards did not rise to the level of sexual harassment, but they did implicate the university's code of conduct.

On Wednesday after the Local 12 report on the investigation involving Davis and Edwards, UC Health’s president and CEO issued a memo to staff saying, in part, "Each member of the team must have a voice and a place to contribute without fear."

Blair Leedy with Cincinnati organization Women Helping Women wouldn't comment on the UC investigations but says the #MeToo movement has brought light to issues that have existed for a long time and no institution is immune.

"The thing about gender-based violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault is that they're types of harm based on unequal power relationships, so we find that everywhere,” said Leedy.

Title IX investigators said there were concerns of retaliation and whether the UC College of Medicine could conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of Edwards' conduct. Dr. Burnett says the university never conducted any further investigation

Dr. Riesa Burnett now works at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She released the following statement to Local 12:

“While I'm shocked this issue is getting media attention, I am not surprised that someone else has decided to speak out against Dr. Edwards and his abusive practices. His treatment of me seemed completely unwarranted and was the sole reason I sought to leave a job I enjoyed, doing something I love. Perhaps his type of behavior was acceptable in years gone by, his abusive and demeaning ways are not, and should not be accepted, in today's society. UC and the people of Cincinnati deserve a good leader of such a critical component of the medical care that UC provides, General surgery and its subspecialties. I hope that some changes are finally implemented as a result of this investigation.”
A UC spokesperson released the following statement on behalf of Dr. Andrew Filak, Jr., Interim Dean and Senior Vice President for Health Affairs at UC:

“As the new college leader as of August 2018, I will review the sum total of these reports and findings and take the steps necessary to promote and ensure a working environment of respect, civility and inclusion in all that we say and do as leaders with an important role in our society. I am committed to living out my values and will uphold the highest standards of professionalism. To that end, we will continue to engage UC’s Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion around issues of training and assessment related to cultural competence and the university’s policies. As already stated, we will also engage with the Association of American Medical Colleges related to these issues, as some of these challenges are national in their scope and nature.”
Phone calls and an email to Dr. Edwards from Local 12 were not returned.

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