Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC (PCVA Law) filed 7 new lawsuits on behalf of former patients of Dr. Mark Mulholland against Providence Health & Services – Washington, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, and Kadlec Clinic – Associated Physicians for Women (APW).
The lawsuits allege that these medical institutions knew for years that Dr. Mulholland was sexually abusing vulnerable patients—and repeatedly failed to intervene or protect them.
The newly filed cases follow the release of disturbing records from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which detail years of complaints from patients, physicians, and staff that were allegedly dismissed or ignored by clinic and hospital leadership. PCVA Law now represents more than 95 survivors who allege sexual abuse by Dr. Mulholland.
Years of Warnings Ignored by Hospital Leadership
DOH records reveal a troubling pattern: multiple medical professionals raised serious concerns about Dr. Mulholland’s conduct, only to be met with inaction.
In January 2024, a physician who worked alongside Dr. Mulholland for years submitted a detailed complaint to the DOH. She described repeated incidents of sexually inappropriate behavior toward patients and staff—behavior she had previously reported internally to leadership and human resources.
Despite her reports, she alleges that Kadlec and Providence took no meaningful action, ultimately forcing her to leave her position. In her complaint, the physician described a consistent pattern in which patients who had previously seen Dr. Mulholland requested appointments with “any provider except Dr. Mulholland.”
She reported that Dr. Mulholland:
- Commented on patients’ vaginas during pelvic examinations, calling them “pretty” or “tight”
- Asked patients about the size of their partners’ genitalia
- Asked a staff member to show him her breasts after she received implants
When the physician raised these concerns with clinic management, she was allegedly told, “He’s always been like that.” She further raised concerns about Dr. Mulholland’s long-standing personal friendship with the clinic manager, which she believed compromised accountability.
After escalating her concerns to Kadlec’s Human Resources department and following formal reporting procedures, she alleges she encountered the same response: inaction and indifference. Ultimately, she left the practice, stating she could not remain part of a system that “facilitated, or at the very least, did not prevent, the potential victimization of patients.”
Additional Complaints From Medical Staff
Other healthcare professionals echoed similar concerns.
- In February 2024, a nurse practitioner at APW reported to the DOH that Dr. Mulholland made inappropriate comments to a patient about her vagina and removed a patient’s pants without consent.
- That same month, another APW employee reported that Dr. Mulholland asked patients’ husbands whether they wanted a so-called “husband stitch”—a medically unnecessary and harmful suture sometimes added after childbirth. She also reported that Dr. Mulholland favored patients he was attracted to, stating that his behavior “disgusted [her] beyond belief.”
Patients Describe Sexual Abuse During Exams
DOH records also document multiple complaints from former patients describing sexual abuse during medical appointments.
One former patient—who was also an employee at Kadlec—reported that during a pelvic exam, Dr. Mulholland asked sexually intrusive questions about intercourse with her husband, performed a rough and painful vaginal examination despite her objections, and made comments about the appearance of her vagina. She stated that these comments were made after the medical assistant chaperone was dismissed from the room.
Another patient filed a complaint in September 2024, alleging that Dr. Mulholland touched her inappropriately and made sexually suggestive remarks. She reported being “deeply disturbed” and “appalled” that he was allowed to continue practicing medicine. Despite reporting her concerns to clinic management, she stated that no action was taken and that leadership and physicians within APW were likely aware of his conduct for some time.
Criminal Report and Institutional Failure
DOH documents further reveal that a criminal report was filed against Dr. Mulholland in 2023.
“These deeply disturbing allegations are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Mallory Allen, partner at PCVA Law and attorney for the survivors. “Kadlec and Providence’s callous dismissal of years of complaints enabled Dr. Mark Mulholland to serially abuse hundreds of women and girls over more than a decade. The more records we uncover, the clearer it becomes that these institutions failed in their most basic duty—to protect patients from harm.”
PCVA Law will continue to pursue accountability on behalf of survivors and to expose the institutional failures that allowed this abuse to continue.
About PCVA Law
Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC (PCVA Law) represents hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse throughout Washington State and nationwide. Since 2002, PCVA’s nationally recognized attorneys have represented thousands of child and adult survivors in complex cases against powerful institutions, including religious organizations, youth organizations, and major medical systems.
PCVA Law has represented over 450 survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated by physicians and remains committed to holding institutions accountable when they fail to protect patients.