A high-ranking doctor at a premier L.A. County teaching hospital, Dr. Louis Kwong, was fired following a two-year investigation that revealed he had been gawking at the genitals of anesthetized patients and had undisclosed financial ties to a medical device company. The hospital found that Kwong, an orthopedic surgeon, received more than $700,000 from Zimmer Biomet without disclosing the conflict of interest, and also engaged in inappropriate behavior such as discussing sex positions and making disparaging comments. The investigation uncovered that Kwong had also carried a gun in the operating room, which was not mentioned in his discharge notice.
Despite complaints about Kwong’s behavior dating back over a decade, the hospital did not take action until recently. Kwong had been reported for inappropriate conduct and conflicts of interest, but it wasn’t until 2021 that an official investigation was launched. Despite being placed on paid leave during the investigation, Kwong continued to receive a salary, becoming one of the highest-paid county employees in 2023. The hospital had been on probation since last summer due to complaints about an unprofessional work environment in the orthopedic department, which Kwong chaired.
Kwong denied the allegations of inappropriate conduct and appealed his firing to the Civil Service Commission. The hospital accused him of failing to disclose his employment with the Lundquist Institute and his financial ties to Zimmer Biomet, creating a conflict of interest. Kwong maintained that his decisions regarding medical device choice were based on clinical performance outcomes. Despite these denials, the hospital proceeded with his termination based on the lack of disclosure.
The hospital’s investigation revealed a troubling culture within the orthopedics department, with reports of racist comments, inappropriate behavior, and a fixation on patients’ genitalia. Complaints against Kwong had been ignored for years, allowing a toxic work environment to develop. Three doctors eventually sued the county, stating that they were tired of watching complaints against Kwong go unaddressed. The Department of Health Services declined to comment on the specific details of Kwong’s departure, citing personnel matters, but emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for staff misconduct.
The case of Dr. Louis Kwong highlights the importance of addressing complaints against medical professionals promptly to ensure patient safety and a healthy work environment. The hospital’s failure to take action for years despite multiple reports of inappropriate behavior and conflicts of interest raises questions about the effectiveness of its oversight mechanisms. Moving forward, it is crucial for healthcare institutions to prioritize transparency, accountability, and a culture of respect to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
