Can Michigan Medicine Save Michigan Football?

Over the last 16+ years Sorry Works! has featured Michigan Medicine's impact on the world of disclosure and apology. The "Michigan Model" has provided a wealth of data, case studies, and encouragement to other healthcare organizations interested in embracing disclosure and transparency post-event. Perhaps the Michigan football program and the university as a whole can learn a thing or two from their medical school.

Over the last couple weeks, horrifying stories of sexual abuse by the team doctor which were allegedly covered up by famed coach Bo Schembechler have been reported by various media outlets. Unfortunately, the chief actors ---- Schembechler, the team doctor, the athletic director at the time -- are now dead, but consider what it must have taken for former football players --- tough guys, Macho men -- to come forward and say they were sexually assaulted by a physician?  The stories are sickening, especially to parents of young athletes (myself included). Sadly, this is apparently not the only sexual abuse scandal roiling the Maize and Blue.  Female students and staff complained for well over a decade about the sexual advances of a former Michigan provost, but the provost was only relieved of his duties in 2020. There is an apparent culture problem in the administration at Ann Arbor.   

The lessons from Michigan's medical error apology program are useful here as well as to all organizations dealing with problems, big and small, immediate and long-term. Serious injury or death by medical error carries many of the super charged emotions as sexual assault allegations. Medical errors and sexual abuse too often involve violations of trust, coverup, and life-changing outcomes for victims. Michigan medicine has taught us these situations must be quickly met head on with empathy, timely and credible investigations, fair compensation for the injured and grieving, and honest and transparent reforms. It's not rocket science, but it's still "new stuff" for far too many attorneys and claims managers. Hopefully those leading the University of Michigan through these incredibly tough times will borrow the lessons from their own medical school which are now being used in healthcare organizations around the world, because the world is watching.  

Sincerely,

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, Founder and President,
Sorry Works!
618-559-8168 (direct dial)
doug@sorryworks.net