More than 300 current and former physician assistants have filed a lawsuit against Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine, alleging the academic health system dismissed years of gender-based wage gaps between male and female PAs.
The lawsuit was filed April 15 in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court and claims “systematic and long-standing gender-based disparities” violate Michigan’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, as well as other state and federal laws, according to local news reports.
The complaint was brought forth by Christine Oldenburg-McGee, a PA at the health system and former president of the United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine Union. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Ms. McGee and female PA colleagues who have been employed at the system at any point since 2022. Specifically, the suit claims female PAs have been paid $9,000 less per year on average compared to their male counterparts.
The plaintiffs allege gender-based wage gaps persisted, despite awareness from leaders at the organization. They are seeking back pay, associated retirement losses as well as exemplary and punitive damages to prevent future violations, their attorney told MLive.
The complaint names the University of Michigan Board of Regents, the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine the University of Michigan Medical School and several top executives, including David Miller, MD, incoming CEO of Michigan Medicine, as defendants.
A Michigan Medicine spokesperson told Becker’s the organization has no information to share on pending litigation.
