GUMC Faculty Ombudsperson
About the Faculty Ombudsperson
The Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) Office of the Faculty Ombuds was established by the Executive Vice President (EVP) for Health Sciences in 2022.
The GUMC Faculty Ombuds Office serves as a confidential, independent, impartial and informal resource for the Georgetown University community. Anyone who utilizes the Faculty Ombuds Office and consults with the Faculty Ombuds is referred to as a “visitor.” The office is staffed by an ombuds professional who practices in accordance with standards set by the International Ombuds Association (IOA).
For further information, please see the Faculty Ombudsperson Charter.
Who does the Faculty Ombudsperson serve?
The office serves all GUMC faculty members including both university and non-university employed (employed by hospital affiliates such as MedStar Health) and GUMC postdoctoral fellows. The office serves all GUMC departments and schools including the School of Medicine (SOM), School of Nursing (SON), and School of Health (SOH). It does not serve faculty in Georgetown University Main Campus or the Law Center, who have their own faculty ombudspersons.
What concerns are typically brought to the Faculty Ombudsperson?
Please note that the faculty ombudsperson can only be a resource for concerns that relate to one’s faculty appointment and responsibilities; the ombudsperson cannot be a resource for concerns related to external employers (e.g. MedStar Health).
- Clarification of a policy or process
- Perceived inequities in work or pay
- Perceived unethical or inappropriate behavior
- Interpersonal conflicts and problems with workplace climate
- Concerns about career advancement and job satisfaction or security
- Advice on having a difficult conversation
- Problems of institutional non-responsiveness and red tape
- Concerns about procedural fairness or due process
- Requests for informal mediations and facilitated conversations
What are the authorities and limits of the Faculty Ombudsperson?
The Office supplements, but does not replace, existing formal processes available. Generally, the use of ombuds services does not delay the filing of any formal grievance or complaint procedure. In most cases, the Ombuds may serve as an informal mediator if the visitor has not started an appeal through formal procedures. The Office does not have the authority to change or overrule any university policy or administrative decision. The Office has no authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University or to receive notice of any claims against the University.
From time to time, the Office may require legal advice from the Georgetown University Office of General Counsel or other professional advice to fulfill its required functions.
Contacting and scheduling a meeting with the Faculty Ombudsperson
The GUMC Faculty Ombudsperson can meet with individuals for a virtual or in-person meeting. To schedule a meeting, please contact haddadb1@georgetown.edu.
The GUMC faculty ombudsperson is:
Bassem Haddad, MD
Professor in Department of Oncology