More Bad News For MSU-COM - Former Dean Felony Arrest

[ChicagoBear]

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More bad press for MSU-COM. This explains how Nassar could get away with his activities.

Court records: Former MSU dean William Strampel sexually harassed students, had pornography on university computer

 

[Aspiring_Future_D.O.]

I saw a similar article on the BBC front page. I applied to MSU-COM twice, maybe I dodged a bullet.

 

[DubbiDoctor]

He allegedly sexually harassed four female medical students. Don't apply to MSU-COM.

 

[Skiiiiiing]

"Come here my pretties, let me show you the magic of bone whispering"

 

[Aspiring_Future_D.O.]

"Come here my pretties, let me show you the magic of bone whispering"

A.T. Still was a bone whisperer!!

 

[DanseMacabre99]

Just saw the news all over /r/medicalschool. It's utterly disgusting and I can't imagine what it's like to be in those students' situation. I'm glad he's been outed and will be punished, unfortunately not far far sooner, but it really makes you think where else this might be occurring.

 

[Alienman52]

More bad press for MSU-COM. This explains how Nassar could get away with his activities.

Court records: Former MSU dean William Strampel sexually harassed students, had pornography on university computer

Awful not only for MSU, but for DO schools in general.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[RockMcat520]

I wonder what does @Goro think of this? or think of MSUCOM overall?

Edit: Specially this:

"The dean held power and was willing to wield it. He routinely glared at women sexually, made them spin around for him and suggested he send them nude photos or engage in sexual acts in exchange for preferential treatment from him, according to prosecutors. He reminded them of his might and their vulnerability – young students piling on debt who could fail to graduate and thus have no doctor’s salary to eventually pay off their loans.

“I hold your entire future in my hand and I can do whatever I want with it,” Strampel told one alleged victim. On multiple occasions, he allegedly told her to present herself to him so he could see her body. Once was in a group setting. To another female student, he allegedly requested she stand and turn around before him while stating, “What do I have to do to teach you to be submissive and subordinate to men?”

The nude photo requests seemingly worked with many young female students.

A forensic examination of Strampel’s seized computer revealed “approximately 50 photos of bare vaginas, nude and semi-nude women, sex toys and pornography,” according to court documents. “Many of these photos are what appear to be ‘selfies’ of female MSU students as evidenced by the MSU clothing and piercings featured in multiple shots.” There was also a close-up video featuring masturbation and other photos that authorities allege were deleted.

And then there was perhaps the most vomit-inducing detail of the entire affair.

“Also uncovered on Strampel’s work computer were pornographic videos and a video of Dr. Larry Nassar performing ‘treatment’ on a young female patient.”"

Larry Nassar wasn't the only sexual predator at Michigan State, prosecutors allege

 

[JudgeIsInTheHouse]

Jeez WHAT A MESS

 

[Lawpy]

I said this in a related thread in the osteo forums but I feel really bad for students and faculty at MSUCOM. However, I lost all respect for the school and administration. I don’t think I feel comfortable suggesting applicants to apply to MSUCOM in the future. Sorry.

 

[Gilakend]

I said this in a related thread in the osteo forums but I feel really bad for students and faculty at MSUCOM. However, I lost all respect for the school and administration. I don’t think I feel comfortable suggesting applicants to apply to MSUCOM in the future. Sorry.

MSUCOM or MSU in general? they have MD and DO school

 

[deleted831695]

Just saw the news all over /r/medicalschool. It's utterly disgusting and I can't imagine what it's like to be in those students' situation. I'm glad he's been outed and will be punished, unfortunately not far far sooner, but it really makes you think where else this might be occurring.

It absolutely sucks seeing your school in a bad light due to the actions of a few dinguses.

Can't speak for everyone, but vast majority of the time, the scandal hasn't really affected day-to-day stuff. I'll give credit to the school for trying to shield this away from the students. The new dean is a very accomplished physician that most of us feel is a good person; he's been receptive and has had several open meetings with us. COM has done other things to acknowledge what's going on and try to make things better. I hope the investigation cleans house anyone else who took part in any of this and/or did nothing about it. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm still happy that I'm here. The docs who mentored me, wrote my LORs, and inspired me in how I should be as a physician all came from MSU, so that's the perspective I have.

I just hope none of this **** ever happens again here or at any other medical school.

 

[Lawpy]

MSUCOM or MSU in general? they have MD and DO school

It's just MSUCOM. I don't think MSUCHM was involved or associated with the current mess.

It's going to take a long time for MSUCOM to clean up its reputation. Until then, it's better for applicants to apply to other schools.

 

[Lawpy]

Awful not only for MSU, but for DO schools in general.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

You're right. From a top comment in NYTimes: Scrutiny of Michigan State’s Role in Nassar Case Brings New Sex Charges

Why in the world would a state university have an osteopathic medical school? Osteopathy, rejected by scientists as an evidence based discipline to the extent it exists as one, was tolerantly absorbed by the scientific establishment to avoid a greater battle that science would have won. Time to end this farce and the danger it poses of accepting, as science, doctrines that have no scientific merit (such as "The body is a... body, mind, and spirit," and capable ... self-healing....").

We don't need spirit in medical classrooms, if it exists, nor is there much to self healing as a doctrinal subject when we are sick. To emphasize self healing, as only one example, to the exclusion of all other possibilities (the field announces this as it's whole and singular form of healing) is more religion, or simple nonsense, than science. It has no place in a state university medical school. It becomes a school for quacks or worse

This comment has 30+ likes so far

 

[Goro]

I said this in a related thread in the osteo forums but I feel really bad for students and faculty at MSUCOM. However, I lost all respect for the school and administration. I don’t think I feel comfortable suggesting applicants to apply to MSUCOM in the future. Sorry.

Yup

 

[fldoctorgirl]

This comment has 30+ likes so far

This guy got ripped in further comments, though. Most people weren't having it. He then went on a rant about how he "wouldn't want a doctor who graduated last", which is what he considers DO students to be.

I agree that this whole thing sucks, but this guy is clearly a bit much.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Here's another quote from a comment he posted: "I don't like to say this to you but I didn't raise the issue, you did, and that is these schools are for medical school rejects who won't or can't get into one of the real Caribbean ones."

Clearly he doesn't really know what he's talking about since he's claiming people go DO because they can't get into Caribbean schools.

 

[Lawpy]

This guy got ripped in further comments, though. Most people weren't having it. He then went on a rant about how he "wouldn't want a doctor who graduated last", which is what he considers DO students to be.

I agree that this whole thing sucks, but this guy is clearly a bit much.

The fact that he got 30+ likes to begin with and his followup comments had 10+ likes is more concerning tbh. Even the responses countering the claims didn't get that many likes. I think more readers basically silently agree with that guy's comments but decided not to respond for whatever reason.

That comment is #4 in Reader's Picks btw.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

The fact that he got 30+ likes to begin with and his followup comments had 10+ likes is more concerning tbh. Even the responses countering the claims didn't get that many likes. I think more readers basically silently agree with that guy's comments but decided not to respond for whatever reason.

That comment is #4 in Reader's Picks btw.

Valid point. Things like this definitely aren't helping the DO bias disappear.

 

[bigindian4891]

Definitely lost all respect for the school. This systematic abuse didn't consist of just one person.

Some of my friends withdrew their acceptances.

 

[Osminog]

Under all this pressure, maybe MSUCOM will finally lower its $85K/year OOS tuition.

 

[CJhooper123]

Valid point. Things like this definitely aren't helping the DO bias disappear.

It's quite unfortunate. Definitely not the type of press DO schools need at this time (let along any educational institution).
That being said, I won't be applying to MSU-COM this upcoming spring.

 

[Alienman52]

Under all this pressure, maybe MSUCOM will finally lower its $85K/year OOS tuition.

Loled at this. You're so right!

 

[deleted831695]

In case anyone was wondering if MSUCOM was doing anything after what happened, just want to let people know that the med school has taken several steps going forward after Nassar and the former dean (and I'm sure the investigation will remove anybody else who was involved). The new dean, Amalfitano, is an accomplished physician and seems like a good person. The school will be working with external experts to examine all aspects/culture and ensure everyone has a chance to make their voices heard. There was a faculty/student task force created, and I believe next year's class will have workshops on these issues during orientation. Our class also had a meeting with the university police and sexual assault program on what to do and whom to report to if in any situation. It's going to be a process, but I believe it'll make the school even better, and hopefully other schools will also be encouraged to internally review everything so nothing like this ever occurs again.

 

[JudgeIsInTheHouse]

I just don’t buy that there weren’t members of admin and faculty who knew about this behavior and decided to maintain a “hush” culture regarding the dean. He was in this position for years, and you’re telling me all the victims didn’t consult another head of authority within this large institution?

 

[814965]

I can't help but wonder how many of you are on MSUCOM's waitlist.

 

[Skiiiiiing]

It's quite unfortunate. Definitely not the type of press DO schools need at this time (let along any educational institution).
That being said, I won't be applying to MSU-COM this upcoming spring.

It's particularly damaging for an entity headed into uncharted territory with respect to brand management.

Moreover, you fix these types of things culturally by mandating week-long behavioral realignment seminars for everyone and encouraging reporting. Which is necessary to clean up a culture like MSU's...but extremely awkward for normal people.

 

[Aspiring_Future_D.O.]

I was on the fence about applying to MSUCOM. Not anymore.

As for the NY Times comment

1) I don't see what osteopathy has to do with this at all. A sick individual can come from any field, school, or background.

2) Ignorant comments should just be ignored. You'll find irrational and/or misinformed comments anywhere and everywhere from politics to sports to religion to basically anything. Anyone going the DO route would probably do well to steel themselves.

3) For every comment about osteopathy such as the above, you can easily find people who think doctors are just pill-pushers trying to make money of your illness. Or "naturals" who don't believe in medical treatment. Or the belief that dentists charge 3x the amount they should for a procedure or filling. And on and on and on. So I think it's fruitless to worry about this comment, no matter how many people upvote it. I've seen blatantly false and idiotic things get thousands of upvotes before...

Your points are all valid. Great perspective.