Findings of Whistleblower Retaliation by IHS Tribal 638 Health Care Facility Management Official

The Special Investigations Branch (SIB) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), conducted an investigation in response to allegations brought forth by a complainant who worked at Tohono O’odham Nation Health Care in Sells, Arizona.  The complainant alleged in an OIG Hotline submission that, while working as a manager in one of the facility’s clinical departments, the complainant’s second line supervisor and responsible management official (RMO) threatened to investigate the complainant for disclosing reports about a staff member who exhibited inappropriate sexual behavior toward patients and other staff.  Investigators found that the complainant made protected disclosures to the RMO and others.  OIG investigators further found that the RMO threatened the complainant’s employment in retaliation for making protected disclosures. The OIG investigative report was provided to the Department and included recommendations for appropriate action.