A judge will no longer preside over a discrimination case against Columbia-based University of Missouri School of Medicine due to a potential conflict of interest, reports a local ABC affiliate.
The case involves a lawsuit filed in 2017 by Rachel Brown, MD, the medical school's former associate dean of student programs and professional development, who alleges racial bias led to her removal. It alleges Dr. Brown, who is white, was accused of "obstructing change" when she disagreed on how to improve diversity. Dr. Brown alleges she was concerned about the legal ramifications of focusing on minority applicants.
Judge Jeff Harris was asked to step down due to his relationship with former MU medical school dean Robert Churchill, MD, who is a potential witness, according to ABC 17. Dr. Churchill was a good friend of the judge's father-in-law, according to the report.
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