Nurses call for removal of Les Wexner, Landon names at OSUMC

Описание: https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local...

Across the campus of The Ohio State University and throughout the city, the Wexner name is hard to miss, including on the new Ohio State Wexner Medical Center tower set to officially open Sunday.

Public records show Les Wexner has personally donated more than $200 million to Ohio State, making him the largest individual donor in university history.

But the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) is calling for his name to be removed from all medical buildings, citing Wexner’s past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The push also involves Abigail Wexner's name on Nationwide Children's Hospital's Research Institute.

“I don't know how somebody could be that close to that situation and say that they had no knowledge, and that's concerning,” said ONA President Rick Lucas. “There’s enough out there in the public eye right now, this is the right time to be having this conversation with the new tower opening. We need to see a change.”

The Ohio State University Nurses Organization also voiced support for removing Wexner’s name, as well as that of Dr. Mark Landon, from the Labor and Delivery lobby. Nurse Tony Myers said the medical center “is a place of healing, and it should not carry the name of men that are publicly associated with a convicted criminal who systematically exploited women and children.” The group added that continued affiliation with the Wexner family “compromises people's trust and the safety of the care.”

Ohio State confirmed it is investigating Landon, an OB-GYN and professor who has been named in documents related to Epstein. A new Labor and Delivery visitors' lounge at the medical center bears his name.

"I did not provide any clinical care for Jeffrey Epstein or any of his victims," Dr. Mark Landon said in a Feb. 9 statement. "I was a paid consultant for the New York Strategy Group regarding potential biotech investments from 2001 to 2005. I had no knowledge of any criminal activities; I find them reprehensible and I feel terrible for Epstein’s victims."

When asked about removing Wexner’s name, the university referred ABC 6 to its “University Naming Review Procedure.” Officials say more than 300 requests have been submitted as of Friday seeking to remove the name. Under university policy, the board of trustees has final authority over naming decisions. ABC 6 has requested copies of those submissions.

The board of trustees ignored ABC 6 when asked about Mr. Wexner, following its executive session Thursday morning.

"There's a deep conflict of interest," Lucas said. "It's all a ruse to delay and deny justice. People deserve better. The University should recognize the pain that's associated with that name and scandal and they should act accordingly. They should stand with survivors."

The ONA is also urging Nationwide Children's Hospital to reconsider the name of its research institute, which bears the name of Abigail Wexner. ABC 6 reached out to Nationwide Children’s for comment but did not receive a response.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine weighed in on the controversy, saying he sees no basis for removing Wexner’s name.

“There is no evidence whatsoever that he has done anything wrong,” DeWine said in Washington D.C. Friday. “He has been a prominent figure of the community and done many, many things. From the Wexner Medical Center, not only has his name on it, he has put a significant amount of money into it and leadership there.”

DeWine added, “New information could come out, but this thing has been beaten around for a long, long time.”

Protesters plan to speak out Sunday during the official opening of the new university hospital tower, where the Wexner and Landon names remain prominently displayed.

Nurses say the timing of the opening only heightens their concerns.

“The time for change is now,” Lucas said. “Ohioans deserve better.”
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