Former patients of Dr. Mark Mulholland accuse the Washington obstetrician-gynecologist of sexual misconduct during medical care. The allegations focus on repeated improper exams and inappropriate comments. The case raises serious concerns about patient safety and institutional oversight at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Providence Health & Services.
The lawsuits highlight a pattern of complaints spanning many years. Many patients say the system failed to protect them. The events now place strong pressure on regulators and the civil courts. The case also highlights how survivors can pursue justice under Washington law.
How the Lawsuit Started
Multiple women spoke out about Dr. Mulholland. Their reports describe improper pelvic exams, sexual remarks, and conduct outside accepted medical standards. Legal sources state that the Washington Medical Commission issued a formal statement of charges on April 29, 2025. The charges outline alleged misconduct between December 2022 and August 2024.
Several law firms then filed civil lawsuits. The cases accuse Kadlec, Providence, and associated clinics of negligence. The filings claim the institutions ignored clear warning signs.
Background of the Dr. Mark Mulholland Case
Dr. Mulholland practiced in the Tri-Cities region (Richland, Washington) for more than two decades. He worked at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and clinics affiliated with Providence Health & Services.
Over time, former patients say his exam-room behaviour crossed the line from medical care into misconduct. The lawsuits allege long-standing institutional failures: from early complaints dating back to at least 2005, to records of ungloved intimate exams, to patients reporting physical pain or unwanted sexualized remarks during procedures.
The state regulatory context is also important: Washington law recently expanded survivors’ time to file civil claims in sexual abuse cases, giving more women legal options even years after the fact.
Key Allegations
The plaintiffs’ key claims centre on several themes:
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That Dr. Mulholland made sexually inappropriate comments during exams—asking about patients’ sex lives or masturbatory habits, even when irrelevant to care.
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That intimate exams were performed without proper informed consent or medical justification—examples include gloveless exams, or patients left in pain after a procedure.
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That the hospitals and clinics failed to act despite complaints—former employees and patients say their concerns were ignored or trivialized (“that is just Mulholland being Mulholland”).
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That is because of the alleged misconduct, patients suffered emotional trauma, physical injury, and a violation of trust. Care providers and institutions should safeguard patients’ safety; the lawsuits assert that this did not happen.
To date, Dr. Mulholland and the hospitals have responded through regulatory processes and legal representation, but I did not find a public statement from Mulholland or the hospitals in one of the referenced sources that changes or refutes the core allegations.
Timeline of the Dr. Mark Mulholland Case
1 . Early Complaints & Consumer Reports
In 2005, according to one lawsuit, a former employee of Kadlec (who also had been a patient) reported sexually inappropriate comments by Dr. Mulholland to the office manager, only to be told “that is just Mulholland being Mulholland.” Over the years, numerous patients allege having disturbing exam experiences—such as gloveless pelvic exams or being physically restrained—dating up to 2023.
2 . Company Response or Public Reaction
Despite the alleged complaints, the hospitals involved (Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Providence Health & Services) are accused of doing little in response. Plaintiffs claim management ignored warning signs and failed to protect patients.
3 . Legal Filings & Court Actions
- On April 29, 2025, the Washington Medical Commission issued a statement of charges against Dr. Mulholland alleging unprofessional conduct between December 2022 and August 2024.
- On August 12, 2025, law-firm sources reported that five new sexual-abuse lawsuits were filed against Kadlec, Providence and associated clinics on behalf of former patients of Dr. Mulholland.
- On September 2, 2025, another complaint (Jane Doe 102) was filed in King County Superior Court alleging abuse by Dr. Mulholland during a 2022 pre-operative exam.
4 . Judge Notes / Judicial Comments
I did not locate a verified public record of detailed judge comments or a published judicial decision beyond filings at this time.
5 . Regulatory or Government Actions
The Washington Medical Commission has issued charges of unprofessional conduct against Dr. Mulholland. Additional complaints were submitted to the Washington State Department of Health, urging action.
6 . Settlement Timeline
At present, I found no publicly verified settlement amount or finalized settlement announcement for these lawsuits. Therefore, I cannot include a settlement timeline.
7 . Current Status
As of November 2025, more than one hundred women are reported to have come forward with similar allegations. Investigations and civil lawsuits are ongoing. The regulatory process is still active. The doctor is under investigation and has been barred from practicing with female patients, according to some reports.
Additional Case Details
Survivors describe a breach of trust during medical care. Their accounts show deep emotional and physical impact. The lawsuits also outline systemic failures. These include alleged lack of oversight, lack of proper reporting procedures, and lack of protective action.
Washington’s expanded statute of limitations gave many patients a path forward. The legal changes play an important role in this rising number of cases.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information, not legal advice. If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
