HPH NOWNew Ombudsperson for HSPH Announced
Melissa Brodrick has been appointed HSPH's new ombudsperson, effective February 1, 2010. Deans Julio Frenk, Jeffrey Flier, and Bruce Donoff made the announcement in an email on January 12, 2010.
According to the Ombuds Office site: "The Ombudsperson strives to see that people are treated fairly and equitably at Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Harvard School of Public Health. The Office is independent of any existing administrative or academic structures and is responsible only to the dean of each school."
Students, fellows, faculty members, and employees affiliated with HSPH, HMS, and HSDM are eligible for this service.
Examples of the types of situations handled by the Ombuds Office include if you:
• believe you may have been a victim of discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment based on your race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or veteran's status
• have a problem you do not want others to know about because you fear retaliation or negative evaluation
• are facing an ethical dilemma
• are experiencing a personality conflict
• question school policies or procedures
• feel you have nowhere to turn
Brodrick has served as executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Mediation Programs and Practitioners, director of The Children's Hearings Project and mediator of educational appeals for the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Former ombudsperson Linda Wilcox, who had served in the role since 1991, is retiring.
