A spokesperson for the medical board told the Los Angeles Times the board is “looking into the allegations … However [the board does] not discuss complaints or ongoing investigations by law.”
A July 17 Los Angeles Times report detailed 66-year-old Dr. Puliafito’s alleged drug use and connections to drug misusers and criminals in 2015 and 2016.
Dr. Puliafito served as dean of the medical school from 2007 until his resignation in March 2016. He continued to work as a faculty member at the medical school and represented the university at various public events as recently as July 15, according to the report.
USC said in a statement July 17 Dr. Puliafito was no longer seeing patients and was on leave from the university.
On July 18, USC President C.L. Max Nikias, PhD, wrote a letter to the USC campus community stating the university would “examine and address” the allegations against Dr. Puliafito and said officials “understand the frustrations expressed about this situation.”
To read the Los Angeles Times‘ investigation into Dr. Puliafito, click here.
More articles on hospital-physician relationships:
Thomas Jefferson University medical school unveils new curriculum post-merger
Cleveland Clinic performs third successful face transplant
USC president issues statement to quell uproar about former medical school dean accused of drug abuse
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