Recent reports indicate that a prominent growth specialist, Dr. Reginald Archibald (now deceased), allegedly abused more than 1,000 children who were patients of his at Rockefeller University Hospital. Many of Dr. Archibald’s patients went to him for help in finding ways to increase their growth. Dr. Archibald, alongside Rockefeller University Hospital, utilized what they learned […]
Recent reports indicate that a prominent growth specialist, Dr. Reginald Archibald (now deceased), allegedly abused more than 1,000 children who were patients of his at Rockefeller University Hospital. Many of Dr. Archibald’s patients went to him for help in finding ways to increase their growth. Dr. Archibald, alongside Rockefeller University Hospital, utilized what they learned from many of these children for research. As part of this research, many patients say nude photographs were taken of them. Despite reports of sexual abuse over the past couple of decades, no significant steps were taken to address allegations of abuse and to hold Dr. Archibald responsible for his behavior.
Because of the large number of potential victims, the investigation into Dr. Archibald may turn out to be the largest in United States history, demonstrating a well-known individual was able to get away with his horrific behavior until the day he died. Many of Dr. Archibald’s patients thought they were part of a “study” into adolescent growth, and therefore, believed the nude photographs taken of them were for research purposes. However, some patients have requested copies of their medical records which have not included nude photographs. The whereabouts of these photographs are unknown to Dr. Archibald’s victims.
When so many patients have complained about Dr. Archibald’s sexually abusive behavior, it seems unfathomable that Rockefeller University Hospital would not take steps to determine the truthfulness of the allegations and question Dr. Archibald’s integrity. It seems as though that because Dr. Archibald was so well-known, sexual abuse allegations were disregarded. Had Rockefeller University Hospital been more thorough in investigating Dr. Archibald, there may have been fewer victims to suffer the consequences of being inappropriately touched and photographed without their clothes on.
Whether Rockefeller University Hospital is involved in a massive coverup will become clearer as patients continue to come forward following receipt of a letter regarding Dr. Archibald’s “inappropriate behavior” that they received in October of 2018. Given that so many of Dr. Archibald’s patients have been irreparably harmed from years of sexual abuse, they deserve answers from Rockefeller University Hospital. Dr. Archibald is no longer alive to answer for himself. As such, it is time for Rockefeller University Hospital to take responsibility for Dr. Archibald’s conduct and the Hospital’s inability to put a stop to the abuse much earlier on.