PORT ANGELES — A physician charged with sexually assaulting patients under his care at Olympic Medical Center has been released on bail and an arraignment is scheduled for July 29, according to court documents.
Dr. Josiah Hill was arrested last Thursday for allegedly assaulting patients under his care while working in the emergency department at Olympic Medical Center (OMC).
Hill’s bail was initially set at $1 million but was lowered to $200,000 following a court appearance on Friday, court documents show. Hill, 39, was released on bail Friday night.
Last Wednesday the Port Angeles Police Department issued a warrant for Hill’s arrest following an investigation of accusations from three women who claimed Hill made inappropriate comments and sexually assaulted them under the pretense of a medical examination. Protective orders against Hill were issued Friday for each of the women.
Worked at hospital
OMC’s chief medical officer Dr. Scott Kennedy issued a statement Friday regarding Hill’s arrest.
“At Olympic Medical Center, it is our duty and responsibility to each and every one of our patients to investigate complaints without bias,” Kennedy said. “We are saddened and distressed by the allegations, and please know that every effort has been made to comply with law enforcement with care and caution.”
Hill had been contracted to work at OMC through Peninsula Emergency Services, Inc (PESI). On June 30, the hospital chose not to renew its contract with the organization, OMC’s statement said.
PESI representatives have said that they cooperated fully with OMC on the issue of the accusations against the doctor.
The hospital previously said it first became aware of the allegations against Hill on April 16, after one of the women reported the assault to a nurse. Hill was placed on administrative leave following the allegations, the hospital said.
According to court documents, the county initially requested bail to be set at $5 million, but was lowered to $200,000 at the request of Hill’s attorney, Karen Unger, who noted to the court that Hill had been working with the lawyer and had not fled despite the allegations against him.
Hill surrendered to law enforcement on Thursday. Court documents show Judge Brent Basden lowered the bail to $200,000 and order electronic home monitoring and for Hill to surrender his passport.
The warrant issued for Hill’s arrest charged three counts of indecent liberties by a health care provider and one count of second-degree rape of a vulnerable victim, all felonies.
Resources are available for anyone who is a victim or a survivor of sexual assault. Local resources in the community include Healthy Families of Clallam County, 360-452-3811; Forks-Mariposa House, 360-374-6411; Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, 360-681-5601; and Lower Elwha Family Advocacy, 360-565-7257.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at psegall@soundpublishing.com.
