Physician who resigned as vice president of Colmed is acquitted of misuse of license

A doctor who resigned from his position as vice president of the College of Medicine has been cleared of misuse of medical leave, according to a letter he submitted to the general council of the organization. The resolution came more than 445 days after Iván Mendoza stepped down from his role. His name was among 25,078 public officials who left the country while on medical leave between 2023 and 2024, as revealed by a report from the Office of the Comptroller. Mendoza, a specialist in pathological anatomy from the University of Chile, confirmed in a three-page letter that both administrative and ethical investigations into his case had concluded with his acquittal. He explained that upon learning of the allegations, he immediately resigned from his position, stating that he did so voluntarily and without being asked to do so. He emphasized that he felt supported by colleagues and believed that stepping aside was the responsible action while doubts remained about his conduct. In the letter, Mendoza detailed the circumstances leading to his resignation and the subsequent investigations. In October 2023, he took his legal holiday and traveled to Mendoza. His return to Chile was delayed due to the closure of the Los Libertadores border crossing caused by adverse weather conditions. He informed his supervisor promptly about this delay. Once the passage reopened, he returned to Chile and, following health issues, used a three-day medical leave, which he completed within the country. The investigation by the National Ethics Tribunal of the College of Medicine found that there was no breach of ethical norms, nor violation of the duty of integrity or professional dignity. It concluded that the doctor had correctly used his medical leave. Similarly, the administrative investigation conducted by the Hospital Dr. Exequiel González Cortés, where he worked at the time, concluded with Resolution No. 2516 issued in April of this year. This resolution absolved him of all charges, finding no evidence of misconduct or breach of the Administrative Statute. Mendoza expressed relief at these outcomes, acknowledging that they confirmed his initial stance and brought closure to a process he chose to undergo. He described the experience as costly, both personally and for his family, and admitted that resigning from a responsibility he had taken seriously was not an easy decision. Having served as a leader since his student years, he noted that the College of Medicine has played a significant role in his professional and personal life. However, he stated that if faced with the same situation again, he would make the same choice. He also acknowledged the impact the process had on the broader medical community, noting that many professionals feel questioned or threatened by inspections that may not always be conducted fairly. He empathized with those concerns, emphasizing the importance of due process and rigorous oversight, while stressing that such measures must be carried out with fairness and thoroughness.