A Michigan State University (MSU) inquiry has found that radiology department chief Dr. Suresh Mukherji did not engage in any wrongdoing in connection with the university's investigation of Dr. Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics team physician convicted of sexually abusing gymnasts.
In a March 22 letter to Mukherji posted on the university's website, College of Osteopathic Medicine Interim Dean Dr. Andrea Amalfitano, PhD, said that Mukherji was reinstated as chair of the university's department of radiology. Amalfitano said the university found no evidence that Mukherji had attempted to obstruct or interfere with the university's investigation into Nassar's conduct, nor had he tried to cover up any wrongdoing.
Mukherji was suspended earlier this year as MSU investigated complaints that officials at the school had been alerted to Nassar's conduct years before it became public but did not adequately investigate him or prevent him from having access to USA Gymnastics athletes. Mukherji was in the university chain of command with authority over Nassar, along with Dr. William Strampel, the former dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Strampel stepped down from his position as dean in December 2017 amid revelations that Nassar continued to abuse gymnasts despite the fact that Strampel had put in place protocols that were supposed to prevent Nassar from molesting girls. Strampel and Mukherji wrote the September 2016 letter that terminated Nassar's employment with MSU after he failed to follow the protocols. Strampel was also arrested last week on a variety of charges, including sexually harassing MSU students.
While Mukherji was cleared in the investigation, Amalfitano's letter did mention that an "atmosphere of anxiety and distrust" exists with some personnel in the radiology department. Amalfitano said he has asked the university's human resources department to look into ways of improving the climate within the department.
Amalfitano also agreed to begin a review of Mukherji's term as department chair, which must occur at least every five years according to university bylaws. Mukherji was appointed department chair in 2013.
