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Puliafito 7/31 EOD

    Traditional Media Coverage

  1. PR experts give USC an F in crisis management (AUDIO)

    Jul 31, 2017 | Southern California Public Radio

    Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for USC, there's more news about how the school handled bad behavior from its former medical school dean. Listen to segment here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2017/07/31/58280/pr-experts-give-usc-an-f-in-crisis-management/
  2. USC scandal raises question of drug testing for doctors

    Jul 31, 2017 | FierceHealthcare

    By Joanne Finnegan

    Alleged drug use by the former dean of the University of Southern California medical school has brought to the forefront the controversial question of whether physicians should be subject to random drug testing.

    3. Broadcast Media Coverage

  3. Vicky Moore/Dick Helton

    Jul 31, 2017 | KNXAM (KNX) (Los Angeles)

    Listen to clip here: https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/28560537?token=5236aab1-5fcc-4555-8753-93535f28c89b

    4. Please Find Full Texts and Transcriptions Below

    Traditional Media Coverage

  1. PR experts give USC an F in crisis management (AUDIO)

    Jul 31, 2017 | Southern California Public Radio

    Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for USC, there's more news about how the school handled bad behavior from its former medical school dean.

    USC now says it knew about Carmen Puliafito's illicit drug use for years. 

    Now that the story has grown into a scandal, how should an institution like USC mitigate the blow back?

    To fine out, Take Two's A Martinez spoke with Dan Loeterman. He's Vice President of Public Relations and Crisis Management at Cerrell Associates, an LA based communications firm. 

    Listen to segment here: http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2017/07/31/58280/pr-experts-give-usc-an-f-in-crisis-management/

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  2. USC scandal raises question of drug testing for doctors

    Jul 31, 2017 | FierceHealthcare

    By Joanne Finnegan

    Alleged drug use by the former dean of the University of Southern California medical school has brought to the forefront the controversial question of whether physicians should be subject to random drug testing.

    Some wonder whether such drug testing would have helped Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., and prevented the scandal that has rocked USC's medical school after the Los Angeles Times published a report that detailed the renowned eye surgeon’s methamphetamine use, partying in the dean’s office and his presence at the scene of a 21-year-old woman’s overdose in a hotel room.

    Puliafito resigned as dean of the USC Keck School of Medicine in March 2016 shortly after that incident but continued to serve on the faculty and treat patients until the newspaper investigation, when the university started the process to fire him. The latest Times article says Puliafito's problems may not have been so secret. A report published in the newspaper Sunday said the university had received complaints about Puliafito's drinking and abusive behavior from other staff at the medical school and chose to reappoint him five years ago. 

    But the case raises the question of whether random drug testing might have made a difference in detecting Puliafito’s drug problems, according to STAT.

    In a high-stress work environment, and with easy access to prescription medications, it's estimated that more than 100,000 doctors, nurses, medical technicians and aides abuse these drugs or are addicted to them.

    With no state or federal regulations, it’s up to individual hospitals and health systems to decide the question of drug testing, STAT noted.

    With many states liberalizing drug laws, Michael Fitzsimons, M.D., who oversees the drug testing program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told STAT healthcare organizations should consider random testing. At his hospital, doctors are tested if there is a suspicion of drug use, with random testing for anesthesiologists.

    The issue draws emotional debate, according to a recent Medscape report, that included comments from doctors. One anesthesiologist in practice for 35 years said he knew two faculty members and two residents who died of drug overdoses, with several near-misses. “Random test everyone. . . These were all good people whose behavioral clues were obvious in hindsight, but were excused or written off as fatigue, stress, etc.,” the doctor said.

    Other doctors told the publication they were adamantly against random drug testing, saying it violated their rights and was an invasion of privacy.

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    3. Broadcast Media Coverage

  3. Vicky Moore/Dick Helton

    Jul 31, 2017 | KNXAM (KNX) (Los Angeles)

    Listen to clip here: https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/28560537?token=5236aab1-5fcc-4555-8753-93535f28c89b

    Rough transcript: still more questions about usc's handling of the former med school dean who is now in the process of being fired amidst claims of drugs and prostitutes. the latest issue centers on the school's decision five years ago to renew doctor carmen puliafito's appointment. the times says it came despite what it called a ground swell of opposition from faculty and staff. they cited his temper, his public humiliation of colleagues, and his perceived drinking problem. 

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    4. Please Find Full Texts and Transcriptions Below

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