Harbor-UCLA medical chief placed on leave amid investigation

The chief medical officer at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center near Torrance has been placed on leave amid an ongoing investigation, sources said late Wednesday.

Gail V. Anderson Jr., who also is an associate dean at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, was escorted out of the hospital Tuesday, sources said. William Stringer, chief of internal medicine, was named interim chief medical officer.

Mitchell Katz, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, said Anderson was on leave but would not comment on the investigation.

"This is a personnel issue. I cannot say anything else," Katz said.

Anderson could not be reached for comment.

Anderson, who started at Harbor-UCLA in 1998, is responsible for medical care and also oversees the programs for residents, fellows and medical students, according to the hospital's website. He previously worked as the acting chief medical officer for the county Department of Health Services.

Anderson earned more than $420,000 in 2009, making him one of the county’s top earners.
 
Harbor-UCLA is operated and owned by the county and is affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine.

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-- Anna Gorman

Photo: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times