UES Hospital Missed Warning Signs Of Predator Doctor: Report

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side's vaunted hospital and medical school Rockefeller University may have missed warning signs that one of its doctors abused hundreds of children during a four-decade career at the institution, according to an investigation conducted by a law firm retained by the hospital.

Investigators from the firm Debevoise & Plimpton spoke to more than 900 people during an investigation into the conduct of Dr. Reginald Archibald and found that the doctor: "engaged in a widespread pattern of misconduct and sexually abused many children at the Hospital over the course of many years when offering patients medical care and treatment." The firm released its full investigation Thursday.

Archibald worked at Rockefeller University as a professor and senior physician from the 1948 to 1980. During that time he frequently abused patients while performing medical procedures and evaluations, according to the Debevoise & Plimpton investigation. Archibald's specialty was childhood growth and maturation, and he conducted studies on growth and sexual maturity as well as treating patients who had growth and hormone issues.

While Archibald performed routine medical tests on some patients, he sexually abused others, according to the investigation. The doctor's predatory behaviors included fondling patients while taking measurements of their genitalia, brushing up against patients' genitals, brushing up against patients with his genitals and taking nude photographs of patients without a valid medical reason, according to the investigation.

Rockefeller University hired Debevoise & Plimpton in 2018 to conduct the investigation and has previously taken action to remove mentions of Archibald from its records and apologize to survivors and their families. But the investigation release Thursday revealed that the institution missed signs while Archibald was still working there, and some high ranking members may have been aware of complaints and allegations against the doctor.

The president of Rockefeller University Hospital was aware of a grand jury investigation into Dr. Reginald Archibald in 1960 that eventually resulted in no charges and the Physician-in-Chief of the hospital from 1960-1974 said in 2004 that he received complaints from patients against Archibald, according to the investigation. While allegations of Archibald's predatory conduct were known, action was never taken against the doctor due to his good standing at the hospital, investigators reported.

"In light of today’s greater knowledge of sexual abuse and current standards of appropriate practices and procedures for studies and treatment of children, there were warning signs that could have been seen, appreciated or further pursued earlier," the investigation reads.

Lawyers representing survivors of Archibald's abuse say the report offers proof that "Rockefeller University Hospital knowingly employed a child sexual abuser for decades," Marsh Law Firm attorney Jennifer Freeman said in a statement. Marsh Law Firm is representing more than 200 of Archibald's accusers.

"Over a 40-year period, Dr. Archibald abused more than 1,000 children on University grounds, under the guise of scientific study. Moreover, the University has now admitted that Dr. Archibald kept detailed note cards on each patient, with written records proving that pornographic images of his patients were taken – something that survivors have long been asking to see. The fact is, Rockefeller University knew that Dr. Archibald was under grand jury investigation and had multiple abuse complaints filed against him – but they allowed his abuse to continue anyway," Freeman said in a statement.

Victims of Archibald have previously called on Rockefeller University to turn over any illicit photographs the doctor took of them. Investigators with Debevoise & Plimpton were unable to track down records of these photographs, according to Thursday's report. Searches have taken place at the Rockefeller University campus and off-site archive facilities. Investigators believe the evidence indicates Archibald may have destroyed many of the photos.

In a statement regarding the investigation, Rockefeller University apologized to the survivors of Archibald's abuse.

"We have shared the entire report by Debevoise on the results of its investigation with Dr. Archibald’s former patients and made it publicly available. We profoundly apologize to those patients who experienced pain and suffering as a result of Dr. Archibald’s reprehensible conduct. Former patients of Dr. Archibald may call the Rockefeller Hospital Therapy Fund’s dedicated hotline operated by RAINN at 855-774-4690, for confidential support with ongoing therapy costs and assistance in finding a therapist, if needed," the statement reads