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Re: academic verification question.



Although I cannot solve this dilemma for you, I will share with you some bit
of insight which might explain the roadblocks you're experiencing.
Ironically I am currently reading "Blind Eye", by James Stewart, about the
circumstances surrounding Michael Swango, the OSU medical grad, who is also
a serial killer. He has been on telly and has a most interesting career,
eventually finding a job in Africa when things started looking bad in this
country for him. He killed off patients there as well.  It is an
interesting/shocking/disappointing case from many angles, and I imagine that
OSU medical school and legal departments will for a long time have
repercussions, and react accordingly, because of the way that entire matter
was dealt with.   Frankly, OSU has a doggone fine hospital there, but in
this litigous world we live in, things sometimes go awry.  I am an OSU
undergrad, worked at OSU hospital as a ward secretary for some time after my
undergrad, and I feel it is still one of the best hospitals in the midwest
you will find. Unfortunately, a bad apple like Swango comes along, rarely,
and the damage control mechanisms sometimes overshadow proper investigation
and common-sense handling of the matter.  The Swango matter and it's
handling, by OSU, along with some other places,  is an unfortunate thing and
one reflecting poor investigation, diligence, and judgment on behalf of OSU.
Unfortunately, cover-ups like that are not unique to OSU. My ward secretary
experience there is one I would not trade for anything. Such interesting
cases, always something happening, a real insight into human nature, as well
as some of the grand people who devote themselves to medicine, doctor and
nurse alike....    That aside, have you checked the American Medical
Association Directory of Medical Specialists? Is this individual in there? I
would hope AMA requires something from the graduating university that indeed
the individual did graduate from whatever university. I do not know what
that policy is. The blurb in that multi-volume set (also there's a website,
but I don't think it is as complete as the hardcopy) reflects when born,
when/where attended undergrad and med school, if stint in military,
residency/internships, etc. Also where currently practicing, at least at
time volume composed. Also indicates if board-certified, yet I do not know
if information could be falsely represented. (It is always a professional
concern of mine the authoritativeness of info I provide, especially in areas
of sci/tech/med). It seems to me that MD's must register somehow in the
state in which they get a medical degree, yet I am not sure on that point.
Each state operates differently, too, I imagine. I think some of the charges
against Swango were for fraudulently representing himself, but then some
places he worked NEVER checked back with former employers.......go
figure.....Seems to me plenty of red flags went up around this guy, yet what
I and a lot of other folks might deem appropriate action, was not done, not
only by OSU ut by other employers. Enough said about Swango, who had even
changed his name, attempting to continue a medical career.
Somehow, I smell a snake in the grass here.


Sharon Lee Butcher
Reference Librarian
AEDC Technical Library
100 Kindel Drive, Ste C212
Arnold AFB, TN  37389-3212
931-454-4430
Fax:  931-454-5421
sharon.butcher@arnold.af.mil

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vickie and Tom Travis [SMTP:tomnvic@EARTHLINK.NET]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 10:51 AM
> To:   ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
> Subject:      academic verification question.
>
> Hello:
>
>      For several months I have been attempting to verify whether an
> individual did in fact graduate from the Ohio State University College
> of Medicine.
>
>      Previously the Admissions Office had informed us that he never
> attended said college.  This morning I again contacted the admissions
> department for the Ohio State University College of Medicine to verify
> yet again that they had not made an error with their records.  My
> intention was to then request in writing verification of their
> statements as this matter is very serious.
>
>      I have now been informed that unless this individual provides
> written authorization to release this information the college is unable
> to verify attendance as per the attorney of the Ohio State University
> College of Medicine.
>
>      My question is:  As this is verification of an M.D.'s college
> attendance and graduation only that is being requested and he has
> publicly posted this information at numerous locations why is it a
> privacy issue to verify said statements?
>
> Vickie Travis
>
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A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

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      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
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Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
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Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>