Feb. 20, 2026
By Elise Takahama, Seattle Times health reporter
A Richland OB-GYN has been accused of medically and sexually abusing patients for years, with a state investigation and a flood of lawsuits outlining conduct ranging from invasive touching to performing major surgeries without consent.
At least 17 women have sued Dr. Mark Mulholland in King County Superior Court since August, detailing alleged instances of unprofessional conduct, verbal abuse and pelvic exams that were not medically necessary, sometimes painful and performed without gloves. The lawsuits also name Mulholland’s former employer, Providence Health & Services, headquartered in Renton, asserting that patient complaints were disregarded.
An additional 31 patients have filed lawsuits in King County Superior Court with similar allegations against Mulholland — but that solely name Providence and its Kadlec obstetrics and gynecology clinic, where he worked, as defendants.
The lawsuits come amid an investigation by the Washington Medical Commission that so far has resulted in the panel imposing restrictions on Mulholland’s medical license. Mulholland still has an active physician and surgeon license in Washington, but, per the commission, is not allowed to work with female patients while the state investigation continues.
Mulholland has not been criminally charged. Police in Richland said Thursday they are investigating.
Mulholland’s license, which he’s held for 26 years, comes up for renewal in March. It’s not clear if he will seek to renew it.
Attorneys for Mulholland did not respond to requests for comment, but have denied allegations in court documents, rejecting “any implications of negligence, liability, proximate cause.”
Providence is accused in the lawsuits of corporate negligence, and violating state discrimination and consumer protection laws. The 40 filings, with some filed by more than one patient, include plaintiff allegations from 2016 to 2025.
Emily Volland, director of communication for Providence’s Southeast Washington area, said she could not comment on ongoing litigation or the state investigation.
“We take our patient’s safety very seriously and are fully cooperating with the state in this matter,” Volland wrote in a statement.
The patients with medical malpractice claims are represented by Elizabeth Hanley, an attorney with Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle, and Tamara Holder, an attorney with Chicago-based Tamara Holder Law firm. In all, their teams have spoken with about 200 patients who say they were harmed by Mulholland, according to Hanley and Holder.
“I hope that we can resolve this case in a way that provides a meaningful outcome for the women who have been abused,” said Holder, who went to high school in Kennewick.
Range of complaints
Patient complaints about Mulholland date back more than 20 years, but it wasn’t until the state medical board brought disciplinary charges in April that a fuller scope of the accusations against the doctor emerged.
The Tri-City Herald and other local media covered the board’s actions, leading other patients to reach out to attorneys to inquire about possible legal claims, Holder said.
In one of the lawsuits, filed Aug. 25 by Hanley’s and Holder’s team, a patient identified as “Jane Doe 104” said Mulholland gave a “rough and aggressive” pelvic exam in 2023 that led her to scream out in pain. She told a supervisor at Kadlec’s Associated Physicians for Women clinic, the lawsuit says. The supervisor said they would look into it and call her back, but she was never contacted, the lawsuit says.
A few weeks later, the patient went to Richland police, but the department declined to further investigate. According to the case report, part of which is included in the Aug. 25 lawsuit, there was not enough evidence of a crime as the alleged misconduct “occurred during a medical examination,” an officer wrote.
Richland police Cmdr. Damon Jansen noted in an email to The Seattle Times that while law enforcement officers can investigate alleged incidents that occur during medical exams, “it is not something that happens with great frequency … due to a myriad of reasons.”
Jansen declined to elaborate on what those reasons might include.
In another lawsuit, which includes a claim of medical battery among other violations, Jane Doe 109 alleges that in 2023, she thought she would be undergoing a labiaplasty, but Mulholland ended up performing a much more major surgery — one that removed both her fallopian tubes, which left her unable to conceive. She did not consent to that procedure, the lawsuit says.
Jane Doe 110, who was 15 during her first pregnancy and when she became Mulholland’s patient, alleges he did an invasive examination without gloves. She had received hardly any gynecological care before meeting Mulholland in 2016.
It wasn’t until 2024, when she became pregnant again and started seeing a different provider for prenatal care, that she began questioning Mulholland’s behavior.
Her new provider expressed concern after the patient described his actions.
She also reported Mulholland to Richland police, the lawsuit says.
Jansen said police have not questioned Mulholland, but the department is investigating multiple allegations against him.
State inquiry
Since the Washington Medical Commission made its findings against Mulholland in April, the board has received at least 26 similar complaints about him, said Kyle Karinen, the commission’s executive director.
“That’s fairly unusual for us,” Karinen said. “I’ve worked here for a number of years and I can’t remember quite that number of complaints flowing in” after initial disciplinary charges were filed.
“That’s incredibly concerning,” he added.
The medical commission — run by 21 governor-appointed members — is housed within the state Department of Health and tasked with licensing and regulating physicians, physician assistants and certified anesthesiology assistants.
The commission’s April charges referenced reports from three patients who saw Mulholland between 2022 and 2024, during which he allegedly asked questions that made them uncomfortable and inappropriately touched them.
The commission ordered restrictions on Mulholland’s license in September.
In December, the medical commission updated its charges with accusations from six more patients alleging misconduct between 2017 and 2024. The additional patients described appointments where Mulholland allegedly instructed them to use sex toys, told them to call his personal cellphone, body-shamed them and made jokes about their vaginas, the charges say. The commission added sexual misconduct to its list of alleged violations.
The state group is reviewing four other accusations related to Mulholland, with several more “authorized for investigation” after those, Karinen said.
Mulholland has the opportunity to defend himself at an administrative hearing, where he can testify in front of a commission panel and state investigators will present evidence, Karinen said. After that, commission members will vote on what to do with Mulholland’s license.
A hearing has not yet been scheduled.
“The commission takes these cases incredibly seriously,” Karinen said. “These are a priority … and we devote an immense amount of resources into investigating these cases.”
‘Institutional failure’
In addition to bringing claims against Mulholland, Holder said the lawsuits are about “institutional failure” at Providence Kadlec.
According to the lawsuits, patients complained about him to the clinic’s staff, supervisors and its patient relations department, but felt their concerns were dismissed or ignored.
“One of the most shocking details is that after the Washington Medical Commission’s filing on April 29, (Providence) continued to allow him to work unchaperoned and without notifying patients,” Holder said.
Volland, of Providence, said Mulholland is no longer employed by Kadlec, but declined to answer questions about when he stopped practicing there.
Providence has locations in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, California and Washington.
The other lawsuits that reference Mulholland but do not name him as a defendant also include allegations of sexual abuse during medical appointments. But their claims are against Providence, Kadlec Regional Medical Center and the Associated Physicians for Women clinic, which the lawsuits argue “should have known that Dr. Mulholland was sexually abusing patients.” In cases like these, Hanley said there may be an “instinct by people to point the finger at one person.” “But I also think there needs to be more than lip service by corporate medicine as to what it means to treat women,” she said.
When there are “this many complaints over decades,” Providence has an obligation to “investigate those and take care of them,” Hanley said.
Because there are separate filings against Mulholland, there will likely be multiple civil trials. The first is scheduled for August, though the date could change as the cases progress.
This article was published by Austin Reed at Apple Valley News on Nov 12, 2025 Updated Nov 16, 2025.
RICHLAND, Wash. — Multiple civil lawsuits are raising questions about patient safety and oversight in women’s healthcare.
The lawsuits center around a longtime Tri-Cities OBGYN, and they claim that both the doctor and the hospital system failed to protect patients. But beyond the legal fight, this is also sparking a conversation about how to rebuild trust in healthcare.
When you make an appointment with your doctor, it's about more than just your schedule. The relationship between patient and doctor should be about respect and above all, trust -- trust that you are getting information or doing things that will help you live a happy and healthy life.
But what happens when that trust is shattered
"My life will never be the same,” said a former patient of Dr. Mark Mulholland, a doctor and surgeon in Richland. “I don't view doctors the same, I don't view medical procedures the same. I question everything and I don't view intimacy the same anymore."
According to the National Institutes of Health, commonly referred to as the NIH, there isn't a lot of data that measures the extent of sexual abuse of patients by their doctors.
The reason?
Abuse goes largely underreported. Patients often times are consumed by guilt, shame, and even shock that it happened to them.
Rosanna Herrera is executive director of SARC in the Tri-Cities. SARC provides advocacy and support to survivors of crime.
"Some may even question themselves and wonder if they are overreacting,” Herrera explained. “Is this something? Should I say anything? Is my feeling valid?"
Another factor the NIH says is that even when sexual misconduct by a licensed physician is reported, very few cases are acted upon.
"That healing journey is different for each person,” Herrera said. “They may not want to go get medical care in the future. They may feel like or prolong accessing medical care because they are worried about their experience."
The topic has been put front and center locally after a Richland doctor and surgeon is under investigation by the Washington Medical Commission after being accused of having inappropriate boundaries and unprofessional conduct, including that of a sexual nature, toward his patients.
For more than two decades, Dr. Mark Mulholland practiced in Richland and was affiliated with Kadlec Regional Medical Center and its Associated Physicians for Women Clinic.
Since July, dozens of women have filed civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and performing procedures without consent.
According to the statement of charges from the Washington Medical Commission Dr. Mulholland is accused of commenting about patients' bodies such as “body shaming” them for being overweight, or making sexual comments about body parts like their breasts and vaginas.
Patients say Doctor Mulholland would also comment about their sexual activity at length that didn't relate to a medical purpose and some patients even accuse him of touching, rubbing, or grabbing them inappropriately.
The women involved in these lawsuits say their experiences left lasting trauma. Those claims are now part of the civil filings.
"I tend to be vigilant more so now,” said another former patient. “I've done enough work to understand that this experience isn't isolated."
Attorneys representing the women say these accounts reflect warning signs seen in other states.
I just settled the largest doctor–patient sexual abuse case in Illinois’ history,” said attorney Tamara Holder, who represents some of the former patients of Dr. Mulholland. “My dad lives in Richland. He sent me the article about Mulholland and my phone went off the hook.”
Holder and co-counsel Elizabeth Hanley have filed multiple suits arguing the healthcare system failed to protect patients.
“When you’re giving birth or in an emergency situation, you need to be safe,” Hanley said. “Institutions must make sure the person they send you to won’t take advantage of that.”
It's not just Doctor Mulholland under fire. It's also Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Attorneys for the women say the hospital failed to protect patients and the state medical commission says complaints made about Dr. Mulholland's behavior toward patients and staff were often rationalized, normalized and minimized, meaning patients say they weren't taken seriously.
Kadlec Regional Medical Center declined to comment on the pending litigation, but confirmed Dr. Mulholland is not currently practicing at their clinic.
Dr. Mulholland has not been criminally charged. We asked the Richland Police Department if it has an active investigation regarding Dr. Mulholland. They did not provide specific records but did tell us some records we requested are part of an active investigation.
A 2016 nationwide investigation by the U.S. National Practitioner Data Bank found that for the thousands of medical board orders for doctors who were disciplined for having a sex related offense of a patient since 1999, more than half of them were still licensed to practice.
Furthermore, the same analysis shows that medical boards did not discipline 70% of the physicians who had peer-review sanctions or malpractice payments made on their behalf due to sexual misconduct.
Advocates say even as these cases move through civil court, there’s an urgent need to rebuild trust in healthcare.
"When survivors come to us, they’re often scared and unsure where to start," Herrera said. "We connect them to counseling, legal advocacy, and medical accompaniment so they don’t have to face the system alone."
Statewide, Washington now requires written consent for pelvic exams on unconscious patients. Hospitals are also reinforcing chaperone policies and staff training.
"I'm not just in this for myself,” a former patient of Dr. Mulholland’s said. “I'm in this to speak up for the women who don't want to come forward. Who don't want to speak up. Who are afraid to speak up. Who did speak up but got ignored. Whose complaints somehow disappeared. I want to be all those people's voice."
Bottom line, these lawsuits are about more than one doctor.
They’re about accountability, trust and making sure patient safety is never just a policy on paper.
SARC says anyone who believes they’ve experienced sexual misconduct in a medical setting can call their 24-hour confidential hotline at 509-374-5391.
The lawsuits against Dr. Mulholland are still pending.
The Washington Medical Commission has ordered Dr. Mulholland to restrictions in his practice. He is not to engage in the practice of medicine with any biologically female patients or those who identify as female, including in a consulting role.
Dr. Mulholland's license to practice is currently active
According to a recent article by the Tri-City Herald, the Washington Medical Commission has issued an interim order prohibiting Tri-Cities OB-GYN Dr. Mark Mulholland from treating any female patients amid mounting allegations from more than 100 women who say he sexually abused them under the guise of legitimate medical care. Under the agreement, Mulholland may not provide care to women in any capacity until the licensing charges are resolved.
While Mulholland did not admit or deny the allegations, the Commission’s charges describe a disturbing pattern of behavior between 2022 and 2024, layered on top of more than two decades of patient complaints. Allegations include inappropriate comments about women’s bodies, sexually suggestive remarks, aggressive and unnecessary pelvic exams, and other abusive conduct. According to the Commission, complaints were repeatedly “rationalized, normalized, and minimized,” leading to years of women’s concerns being dismissed by Providence St. Joseph and Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
The licensing order comes as civil and criminal actions continue to mount. At least 18 lawsuits have been filed in King County Superior Court, with patients alleging sexual assault, misconduct during exams, and even forced sterilization. Two criminal complaints have also been filed with the Richland Police Department.
Patients represented in these lawsuits describe a consistent pattern of abuse under the guise of legitimate medical care. Allegations range from inappropriate sexual comments during exams to physical assault, and even cases of forced sterilization. Despite repeated complaints to Kadlec Regional Medical Center and its parent company, Providence, patients say their concerns were ignored or dismissed.
Patients describe a consistent pattern: abuse disguised as medical care, coupled with institutional negligence that allowed Mulholland to continue practicing. These lawsuits aim to hold both Mulholland — and the institutions that enabled him — accountable for decades of harm. And as the cases progress, more women continue to come forward with their stories.
If You Have Information:
If you or someone you know has been mistreated by Dr. Mulholland, we encourage you to reach out to SGB and tell your story. Time to come forward may be limited.
Jane Doe 105 accuses Dr. Mark Mulholland of removing her fallopian tubes without her knowledge; Providence and Kadlec ignored her complaints
SEATTLE - Jane Doe 105 is the latest to file a new lawsuit amid mounting allegations against Dr. Mark Mulholland, a Tri-Cities OB-GYN who practiced for over 20 years at Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Ms. Doe is represented by Elizabeth Hanley and Julie Kline of Seattle’s Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, alongside Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law in Chicago.
Jane Doe 105 met Mulholland after being admitted to Kadlec Hospital in 2016 due to severe concerns around her pregnancy, including hypertension and pre-eclampsia, which compromised both her and her unborn child’s health and safety.
Ms. Doe recalls a nurse suggesting tubal ligation as her medical team prepared to deliver her baby via caesarean section. She was reassured that a tubal ligation, more commonly known as “getting your tubes tied” was an entirely reversible procedure, as Ms. Doe had expressly stated she was interested in growing her family further following this pregnancy.
During the procedure, Ms. Doe recalls hearing a nurse over the privacy curtain ask Mulholland why he was performing the tubal ligation in that manner – Mulholland responded, “Insurance pays more this way.”
Following the procedure, Ms. Doe experienced severe complications, including irregular periods, hot flashes, and extreme fatigue, all symptoms consistent with menopause and not expected after a standard caesarean section or tubal ligation.
Nearly ten years later in 2024, Ms. Doe was ready to continue growing her family. After meeting with a fertility specialist, Ms. Doe and her husband’s worlds were turned upside down. The specialist informed them that she would not be able to reverse her tubal ligation, as Mulholland had entirely removed her fallopian tubes. Ms. Doe was left sterilized against her will by Mulholland.
Ms. Doe complained to the hospital, but her complaints were ignored.
“Mulholland’s conduct in this case is unconscionable,” said Hanley. “He took away our client’s right to decide if and when to grow her family, a fundamental right that belongs to every woman. This is not just malpractice; it’s a profound abuse of trust. Providence and Kadlec had every opportunity to stop him, yet they failed, again, to protect their patients.”
Holder added, “This case reveals how a healthcare institution gave a male doctor unfettered power over and access over hundreds of female patients’ bodies over dozens of years. Due to Mulholland’s alleged abuse, our client now lives with the irreversible consequences. We will not rest until we have held every person and institution accountable for turning a blind eye to Mulholland’s conduct.”
Jane Doe 105’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating the Washington Law Against Discrimination, corporate negligence by the hospitals, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is limited.
To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: sgb-law.com or tamaraholderlaw.com/.
Another Case Alleges Providence and Kadlec Ignored Patient Complaints of Abuse
SEATTLE – Following two similar sexual abuse lawsuits, Jane Doe 102, represented by attorneys Elizabeth Hanley of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB) in Seattle and Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law in Chicago, has filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court. The complaint contributes to the growing number of female patients coming forward with allegations of physical abuse or sexual abuse by Mark E. Mulholland, a Tri-Cities OBGYN who worked for Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center, in Richland, Washington, from 1999 through June 2025.
Jane Doe 102 alleges that during an appointment in 2022, Mulholland explicitly asked her about her sex life and noted in her chart that she was a lesbian “and has never been in relationships with men.” During the appointment, a pre-operative meeting before Jane Doe 102’s hysterectomy, Mulholland performed a pelvic “exam” without informed consent and without explaining its purpose. Shoving his fingers inside her, he said, “You’re really tight in there.”
According to Jane Doe’s lawsuit, she worried that if she immediately complained, she risked affecting her upcoming medical care which included a hysterectomy. After surgery, however, she reached out to multiple people within the hospital’s hierarchy, including its CEO, and yet she received no response.
“Not only Dr. Mulholland, but Kadlec Providence, too, have failed these women,” said Hanley. “Had the institution responded properly to complaints by the hundreds of women who raised concerns about the numerous red flags and acts of abuse they experienced, we wouldn’t be in this position begging for answers and justice for so many victims.”
“Providence and Kadlec claim to be ‘the leading health care organization in the region’ while enjoying not-for-profit tax-exempt status. And despite allegedly being “committed to its mission of providing safe, compassionate care,” we have heard from hundreds of women who say this institution has chosen profits over female patient safety. ” Holder added
Jane Doe 102’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of gender-abusive conduct, failure to protect patients, and institutional negligence.
If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland, OBGYN, or the institutions where he worked, please reach out to tamaraholderlaw.com/ or SGB as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is not unlimited.
To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: tamaraholderlaw.com/ or sgb-law.com.
Growing Number of Female Patients Allege Providence and Kadlec Ignored Complaints of Doctor Sexual Abuse
SEATTLE – A new lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court by Jane Doe 101, represented by attorneys Elizabeth Hanley of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender and Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law, adds to the mounting allegations of sexual abuse and gender-based discrimination against Tri-Cities OB-GYN Mark Mulholland.
Jane Doe 101 alleges that in 2022, after surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, Mulholland subjected her to a painful and unnecessary pelvic “exam” at Kadlec Clinic, in Richland, where he shoved his entire hand inside her vagina without informed consent or an explanation. When she cried out in pain, Mulholland laughed, withdrew his hand, then said, “I will only use two fingers,” before continuing the invasive “exam.”
The complaint further alleges that Mulholland ignored Jane Doe’s medical needs, made dismissive comments about her medical concerns, and exploited his position of trust as her first gynecologist. Jane Doe 101 revealed that she did not recognize the conduct as sexual abuse until recently, when she learned that Mulholland was under investigation for assaulting other patients.
Jane Doe 101’s lawsuit signals a pattern of misconduct stretching back more than two decades. Since as early as 2003, Providence and Kadlec began receiving complaints about Mulholland engaging in suspicious behavior including unnecessary, and gloveless pelvic “exams;” as well as fat-shaming and abusive language yet the institutions allowed him to continue seeing patients until June of this year.
“Mulholland’s behavior with Jane Doe 101 was not an isolated incident, it was part of a decades-long pattern that Kadlec and Providence ignored,” said Hanley. “The survivors who continue to come forward today are playing a critical role – not only does it signal that this behavior is unacceptable, but they are giving other survivors the courage to come forward and share their story.”
“As a Kamiakin graduate myself, these cases hit close to home,” added Holder. “Our clients were failed twice: first by their doctor, then by the very institutions that promised safe, respectful care. We are devoted to obtaining justice for our clients, and to exposing how Providence and Kadlec profited off Mulholland’s alleged abuse rather than protecting the community.”
Jane Doe 101’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of sex-based discrimination, failure to protect patients, and institutional negligence.
If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out to tamaraholderlaw.com/ or SGB as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is not unlimited.
To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: sgb-law.com or tamaraholderlaw.com/.
SEATTLE – Jane Doe 104 has filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against Tri-Cities OB-GYN Mark E. Mulholland, Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center, alleging sexual abuse.
The case, brought by attorneys Elizabeth Hanley of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender and Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law, adds to the surge of legal action from women who say Mulholland abused them under the guise of legitimate medical care.
Jane Doe 104 met Mulholland in 2023 after making an appointment due to concerns regarding pelvic pain and her contraceptive care. According to the lawsuit, Mulholland began the “exam” by lifting the privacy sheet, making eye contact with Ms. Doe and smiling. He then reached under her with both hands and squeezed her buttocks before aggressively shoving his fingers in her vagina. Mulholland performed such an aggressive “exam” that she cried out in pain, even causing the nurse in the room to notice.
At the end of that same visit, as Mulholland was preparing Jane Doe 104 for an upcoming surgery, he told her through her Spanish-language interpreter: “Everything is ready for your surgery.” He then turned to the interpreter and added in English, “I’m excited to meet with your vagina again,” and instructed the interpreter to not translate his words to Jane Doe 104. Although she relied on interpreter services, Doe 104 understood enough English to know exactly what he said.
“Mulholland’s conduct shows a shocking abuse of trust, first in the exam room, then in manipulating an interpreter in an attempt to conceal sexual comments,” said Hanley. “Patients have the right to safe and respectful care. Providence and Kadlec utterly failed that responsibility.”
Holder added, “This case highlights that institutions still protect their doctors over their female patients. These initial complaints only scratch the surface of what we already know; rest assured, we are seeking liability from the bottom all the way to the top of Providence.”
Jane Doe 104’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of sex-based discrimination, failure to protect patients and institutional negligence.
If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is limited.
To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: sgb-law.com or tamaraholderlaw.com/.
Sep 05, 2025
Case claims Providence and Kadlec concealed decades of patient complaints
SEATTLE – Lawsuits continue to mount against Tri-Cities OBGYN, Mark E. Mulholland. Another, filed by Jane Doe 103, adds to the more than 100 other women who have come forward with abuse allegations. Represented by attorneys Elizabeth Hanley of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB) and Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law, Jane Doe 103’s lawsuit in King County Superior Court alleges physical and sexual abuse by Dr. Mulholland, who worked for Providence St. Joseph Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, from 1999 through June 2025.
Jane Doe 103 alleges that during her first appointment with Mulholland in 2022, he abused her by inserting his fingers into her vagina and rectum to perform an “exam.” He told her that she would need further treatment and directed her to return for another appointment. At the subsequent appointment, Mulholland performed the same “exam,” and complimented her figure and weight.
According to Jane Doe’s lawsuit, she continued to see Mulholland for an operation, and later, about a possible yeast infection. During her 2024 appointment regarding a yeast infection, Mulholland performed an “exam,” swabbing the inside of her vagina. He proceeded to sniff the swab and say, “It smells great,” and “You have a nice-looking vagina.”
Had she been notified by Kadlec Providence of the numerous complaints from female patients about Mulholland’s conduct, Jane Doe 103 would not have agreed to see him to begin with.
“As a medical institution, Kadlec Providence has an obligation to protect its patients,” said Hanley. “After receiving the first complaint about Dr. Mulholland’s crude statements and inappropriate conduct, they had the opportunity and, really, the duty, to investigate the patient’s claims or warn future patients of the prior complaints.”
“Dr. Mulholland treated his female patients in the most unthinkable ways. Additionally, despite Kadlec claiming to have ‘safe, compassionate care,’ it did not respond to the dozens of complaints about Mulholland that piled up over decades. We will not rest until we hold everyone accountable for this atrocious conduct on all levels,” Holder added.
Jane Doe 103’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of sex discrimination and abuse, failure to protect patients and institutional negligence.
If you or someone you know has information about Mark Mulholland or the institutions where he worked, please reach out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the amount of time to come forward is limited.
To learn more about the firms’ work representing survivors of abuse and discrimination, visit: tamaraholderlaw.com/ or sgb-law.com.
Divided Sky Foundation Launches New Women’s Scholarship Fund to Break Barriers & Expand Access to Recovery
Ludlow, VT – September 10, 2025 — The Divided Sky Foundation today announced the launch of a Women’s Scholarship Fund, designed to address the unique barriers women face when seeking treatment for addiction. The Fund will provide financial support so that women — regardless of income — can access a dignified and empowering path to recovery. The Foundation has set a goal of raising $500,000 for the Fund by the end of this year and invites supporters to learn more or contribute at HERE.
Founded by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and his former drug court officer Melanie Gulde, the Divided Sky Foundation provides an alternative, affordable option for addiction recovery. Its Residential Recovery Program has proven effective, with hundreds of guests completing the program and over 95% saying they would recommend it to a friend or loved one. The Women’s Scholarship will now help more women access these services, regardless of financial circumstance.
“We established the Women’s Scholarship Fund to help all women heal, regardless of their ability to pay for recovery — and it is clear our Fund is already working,” said women’s rights advocate and attorney Tamara Holder, who covered the cost of the first female guest at Divided Sky in 2023 and later made a major gift to establish the Fund. “Women are the fastest-growing demographic affected by addiction. The statistics are stark: more than 75% of women struggling with addiction have experienced sexual abuse, over 70% are mothers, and women face a higher risk of fatal overdose.”
Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) further underscores the need to make recovery services more accessible to women:
● Women account for just one-third of admissions to residential or inpatient recovery facilities.
● Only one in ten women with substance use disorder receive treatment.
● Women are more likely than men to encounter traumatic life experiences, including child abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault, which may increase their vulnerability to developing a substance use disorder.
“Women recover differently and face unique barriers that often leave them overwhelmed and discouraged,” said Gulde. “Stigma, cost, and childcare responsibilities can all stand in the way of seeking help. The Women’s Scholarship Fund is our response: more than financial aid, it’s a statement that every woman is worthy of a sober life — and we are here to support them.”
Gulde and Anastasio jointly developed the idea for Divided Sky after recognizing the lack of affordable recovery options in the Northeast. The initiative was first announced in 2020 during Anastasio’s Beacon Jams livestream series. Now, as the five-year anniversary approaches — along with a series of benefit concerts at New York’s Beacon Theatre — Divided Sky is taking the next step to address critical gaps in the recovery system.
“I’m so grateful that Melanie and Tamara are leading this next stage of Divided Sky with a dedicated women’s scholarship program,” said Anastasio. “With a women-led team that deeply understands the trauma that so often precedes addiction, and scholarships that remove the financial barriers to care, this program can give more women the chance to heal and start fresh.”
Those wishing to support the Divided Sky Foundation may make donations at HERE and direct their gift to the Women’s Scholarship Fund directly. Several Phish fan groups are also planning grassroots fundraisers tied to this announcement, which coincides with National Recovery Month. More initiatives will be unveiled ahead of the Beacon Jams anniversary concerts this fall.
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ABOUT THE DIVIDED SKY FOUNDATION (DSF):
The Divided Sky Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to addiction recovery. Founded through the friendship of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and his former drug-court case manager, Melanie Gulde,, the 46-bed Divided Sky residential facility opened in Ludlow, VT. in 2023.. Its non-medical program emphasizes mindfulness, emotional sobriety, and gaining tools to live a joyful life in recovery. Divided Sky is often the next step following a medical detox or relapse, or can be a primary option for anyone who is medically stable and ready to make a change. Divided Sky continues to make its 12-step immersive Residential Recovery Program affordable to all, with partial scholarships available to those who demonstrate need. For more information on the Divided Sky Foundation, the Women’s Scholarship Fund, or how to apply or contribute, visit DividedSky.org. Those seeking help for themselves or a loved one can call 877-TRY-DSKY to speak with Divided Sky’s admissions coordinator.
