Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect South Peninsula Hospital's comments.
A physical therapist at Homer's hospital who was demoted following allegations of sexual misconductwill keep his professional license. The therapist's accusers had appealed to the state's licensing board to take action.
KBBI is aware of eight women, most of them current and former South Peninsula Hospital employees, who made serious allegations against Douglas Westphal in recent years.
Westphal has worked for South Peninsula Hospital’s rehabilitation department for 25 years and was department head for nearly a decade. That changed late last year when the hospital launched an administrative probe into allegations ranging from sexual harassment and sexual assault to bullying and intimidation.
He was placed on leave and subsequently demoted to physical therapist. He continues to work at the hospital.
At least three women took their complaints directly to the state's Division of Professional Licensing, which houses the Alaska Board of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy.
Former patient Lora Wilke’s complaint with the board and a 2018 report she filed with the Homer Police Department alleges Westphal sexually assaulted her during treatment in 2009.
South Peninsula Hospital Occupational Therapist Sarah Bollwitt worked under Westphal, but transferred to another department. She filed a complaint alleging that Westphal sexually harassed and bullied her and others.
The physical and occupational therapy board’s inquiries into the complaints never rose to the level of an investigation and ended earlier this month, according to letters sent to Wilke, Bollwitt and one other woman.
The Division of Professional Licensing wrote on Dec. 7 that an unnamed “licensed member of the board” had determined that Westphal had not violated any “statutes and regulations that govern the practice of physical and occupational therapy in the State of Alaska.”
Two of the letters also said matters of sexual harassment and bullying were internal personnel matters that the hospital's administration had addressed.
The division declined to comment as did the three women who made the complaints. Westphal didn't respond in time for this story.
Hospital spokesperson Derotha Ferraro said the hospital is pleased with the board’s findings.
“We take complaints seriously and always support help of an outside regulatory body like this looking into unusual allegations,” she said. “We appreciate that the state investigated.”
The board's decision means Westphal remains licensed to work as a physical therapist anywhere in Alaska. He continues to see patients and his staff bio is posted on the Homer hospital's website.
However, Westphal isn't in the clear yet.
At least three of Westphal’s former subordinates filed grievances with the hospital union, General Teamsters 959. The union declined to comment on the matter, but those who filed the grievances said they have not come to a final resolution.
The hospital also confirmed earlier this year that there's at least one complaint filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding Westphal and the hospital. The Seattle field office is investigating that complaint.