An Orlando-based University of Central Florida medical school graduate is suing Orlando Regional Medical Center for "false and defamatory statements" that hurt her chances of obtaining an emergency medicine residency, The Orlando Sentinel reported April 15.
Natalie Bonthius, MD, completed a monthlong clinical rotation at the center and received "exemplary reviews" from supervisors but was then ranked at the bottom third of students rotating at the hospital. Medical school leaders denied Ms. Bonthius' appeal after she pointed out inconsistencies, as she believed she received an evaluation intended for another student.
Kena Lewis, a spokesperson for Orlando Health, forwarded Becker's an emailed statement from Mario Madruga, MD, the institutional official for graduate medical education at the system.
"Orlando Health's emergency medicine education program is one of the best in the country. In addition to providing experiences in both adult and pediatric emergency medicine and level one trauma care, the program is among the select few in the United States that participates in an emergency care research network. Given this reputation, Orlando Health's emergency medicine residency program attracts the best and brightest medical students from across the country. Consequently, only top performing students are accepted," the statement said.