More than 55 women have alleged serious misconduct against Major Blaine McGraw, an Army OB-GYN, prompting significant scrutiny of the Army’s handling of these claims. The allegations involve inappropriate touching and recording of patients during medical examinations at military hospitals in Texas and Hawaii. Concerns have emerged regarding the Army’s response to these allegations, including why action was not taken sooner and whether prior complaints were overlooked.
McGraw was assigned to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood and previously worked at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. His suspension occurred on October 17, 2023, following a patient’s report of discovering unauthorized photos taken during an examination. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated an investigation on the same day.
Attorneys representing the women have claimed that the misconduct spans several years and that patterns of behavior observed at both hospitals are strikingly similar. Andrew Cobos, one of the attorneys, expressed that the women had trusted the Army but felt their concerns were repeatedly ignored. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Cobos noted that the public statements from the Army have provided minimal information and seemed to prioritize institutional protection over the needs of the affected patients.
On November 10, the Army announced that notification letters had been sent to more than 1,400 women treated by McGraw at CRDAMC. These letters, however, lacked details regarding the nature of the allegations or potential risks, leading many recipients to feel confused and uncertain about their next steps. Cobos described the outreach as cold and unhelpful, with numerous clients reporting long wait times and poor communication from staff who seemed unfamiliar with the case.
Several women who were treated by McGraw at Tripler before his transfer to Fort Hood reported recognizing similar troubling behaviors, including unnecessary examinations and invasive procedures without medical justification. Additionally, the use of a phone positioned in McGraw’s chest pocket during appointments raised red flags among patients. Former personnel from Tripler have indicated that concerns about McGraw’s conduct were not new.
The Army has not disclosed whether any reviews or investigations were conducted during McGraw’s tenure in Hawaii or if previous complaints were communicated to Fort Hood. Publicly, the Army has confirmed McGraw’s removal from patient care but has remained largely silent on whether complaints were made prior to October 17 or if any internal reviews were conducted.
The lawsuit against McGraw accuses him of recording patients without their consent and performing inappropriate examinations. It highlights systemic failures within the Army’s oversight mechanisms. Notably, the suit claims that chaperones, including nurses and the clients’ husbands, were not permitted in the examination room during appointments with McGraw, further emphasizing the alleged lack of oversight.
Cobos has indicated that further lawsuits may follow, potentially targeting the Department of the Army due to the extensive breaches of trust. He emphasized that the women’s claims reflect not just individual misconduct but a broader institutional failure to provide adequate support and accountability for victims.
As of now, McGraw has not been charged with any crime and is presumed innocent under military law. The CID has not provided a timeline for the completion of its investigation. Cobos mentioned that his firm continues to receive daily inquiries from former patients, illustrating the widespread impact of the allegations and the need for a thorough examination of the Army’s response.
The situation remains delicate, with many questions lingering about the Army’s commitment to addressing the concerns of its patients and ensuring their safety in medical environments.
