GME Ombuds

The GME Ombuds is an independent, confidential, informal, neutral and safe place to voice concerns without fear of retribution.

Role of the GME Ombuds

The GME Ombuds provides informal, impartial, and confidential dispute resolution services for UofL medical residents and fellows. The ombuds assists people with interpersonal misunderstandings or disputes as well as those with concerns about training, academic, or administrative issues. The goal is to help individuals or groups of individuals to resolve their concerns fairly and, if possible, informally. The GME Ombuds operates independently as a supplement to existing administrative or formal grievance procedures and has no formal decision-making authority. The ombuds does not act as an advocate for either side in a dispute. The GME Ombuds operates confidentially and will not acknowledge who has contacted the office without the permission of the individual. The GME Ombuds reports administratively to the Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education.

What the Ombuds Office Does

• Listen and discuss questions, issues, and concerns
• Help evaluate various options to address concerns
• Answer questions or help find others who can
• Facilitate communication between people
• Advise individuals about informal steps to resolve issues
• Advise individuals about formal and administrative options
• Facilitate discussions to seek “win-win” resolution
• Make appropriate referrals when informal options don’t work
• Point out patterns of problems/complaints to administrators

What the Ombuds Office Does Not Do

• Participate in formal grievance processes
• Make administrative decisions for GME administrators
• Determine “guilt” or “innocence” of those accused of wrongdoing
• Assign sanctions to individuals
• Receive official notice for the GME Office about issues
• Give legal advice
• Serve as a mental health professional in any way