Statement regarding Dr. Reginald Archibald from the Rockefeller University Hospital (October 5, 2018)
We have come to learn that Dr. Reginald Archibald, who retired from the Rockefeller University Hospital in 1982, engaged in certain inappropriate conduct during patient examinations. The Hospital and University deeply regret pain and suffering caused to any of Dr. Archibald’s former patients.
Dr. Archibald began working at The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (later, The Rockefeller University) as a visiting investigator in 1940, and at the Hospital as an assistant resident physician from 1941-1946. He later returned as a Hospital senior physician and University professor from 1948-1980, with medical staff privileges at the Hospital until 1982. He became professor emeritus in 1980 and senior physician emeritus in 1987. He passed away in 2007. Dr. Archibald studied childhood growth and maturation, focusing on children of short stature.
In 2004, The Rockefeller University Hospital was informed of a report by a former patient related to the propriety of certain of Dr. Archibald’s conduct during physical examinations. The University notified the federal Office of Human Research Protections, the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct, and the Manhattan District Attorney. In addition, the University retained legal counsel Debevoise & Plimpton LLP to investigate. Following its review of then-available information, including from interviews with former patients, faculty, administrators, and staff, and two prior reports made in the 1990s that were located, Debevoise found certain allegations credible and determined that it was likely that some of Dr. Archibald’s behavior towards this patient was inappropriate. A policy relating to the further protection of pediatric patients was added to the Hospital’s then-existing safeguards and processes designed to protect patients.
Earlier this year, another former patient of Dr. Archibald’s, who had not been identified in the 2004 investigation, came forward to make a similar report. In response, the University again reported the matter to appropriate state and federal authorities and re-engaged Debevoise to investigate further. The 2018 investigation benefited from additional information that was not available in 2004, including information from several former patients who came forward. Based on its investigation, the law firm concluded that some of Dr. Archibald’s behaviors involving these patients were inappropriate.
In response to these findings, Dr. Archibald’s emeritus status at the Hospital and University have been rescinded and references to him have been removed from the Hospital and University webpages.
The Hospital is now reaching out individually to Dr. Archibald’s former patients, so they can share their experiences or any concerns. Due to the passage of time, though, the Hospital has encountered difficulties in locating all of Dr. Archibald’s former patients. Patients with information they would like to share regarding their interactions with Dr. Archibald should contact Helen Cantwell, of Debevoise at: (212) 909-6312 or [email protected].
Update on Previously Announced Investigation regarding Dr. Archibald from the Rockefeller University Hospital (October 18, 2018)
In response to sexual misconduct allegations made earlier this year against Dr. Reginald Archibald, a physician who worked at The Rockefeller University Hospital from 1941-1946 and 1948- 1982 and died in 2007, the University retained external legal counsel to investigate. Dr. Archibald studied childhood growth and maturation.
The investigative team, aided by new information from former patients who came forward, is conducting a comprehensive review. In early October, the Hospital sent letters to as many of Dr. Archibald’s former patients as it could locate, asking them to share information about their interactions with Dr. Archibald, and posted a statement on the Hospital website on October 5, 2018.
In the two weeks following the mailing of the letters, we heard from many of Dr. Archibald’s former patients, including a number who told us that they had been subjected to sexual misconduct. We are appalled to hear those accounts of Dr. Archibald’s reprehensible behavior. We deeply regret pain and suffering caused to any of Dr. Archibald’s former patients. We are extremely grateful to patients for sharing their experiences with us.
The University will continue to provide additional updates, while protecting patient privacy.
As communicated in our previous statement, patient protections and safeguards have been enhanced at the Hospital over the past several decades, making an occurrence of this type highly unlikely today.
Counseling Support for Dr. Archibald Patients
We anticipate that some of Dr. Archibald’s former patients may wish to seek counseling. The Hospital is establishing a Rockefeller Hospital Therapy Fund to provide financial resources for counseling services for those of Dr. Archibald’s former patients who request it. The Hospital is partnering with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), a national nonprofit organization providing support for survivors of sexual assault, which will assist former patients of Dr. Archibald to locate qualified counselors and therapists. We will provide updated information about the terms of the counseling fund, and how former patients can access counseling funds once the RAINN Hotline is live.
Reimbursements to providers for the cost of counseling will be managed by a third-party claims administrator. Patient communications with RAINN, the claims administrator, and visits with a therapist or counselor will be kept confidential from Rockefeller. We will soon post information on our website with additional details, including contact information, on the Rockefeller Hospital Therapy Fund.
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We are greatly indebted to all patients who have shared their experiences with the investigators to date. This investigation has been aided immeasurably by the responses that have been received.
