The chief urologist at the School of Medicine was suspended because of alleged financial improprieties, according to a published report yesterday.
Dr. Joseph Oesterling is being investigated in connection with consulting fees he received from drug and medical companies, according to an anonymous source in the Detroit Free Press.
The doctor said he was suspended Wednesday, but declined to say why. University officials have declined to comment on the suspension, saying it is policy to decline comment on personnel matters.
The University also is investigating possible expense account abuses and whether Oesterling hid his income from outside business arrangements, the Free Press reported.
"All of this is a misunderstanding," Oesterling told the newspaper.
Oesterling has refused comment to The Michigan Daily.
The school has strict policies on consulting arrangements, limiting it to two days a month, the source told the Free Press. Faculty also is limited from receiving more than 15 percent of their annual University salary from a single corporation, and no more than 25 percent from all corporations without prior approval.
Oesterling's colleagues yesterday remained confused over the suspension.
"I always thought he was an excellent researcher and provided excellent patient care," said Mack Ruffin, associate professor in the School of Medicine.
Ruffin said he worked with Oesterling on several projects, manuscripts and publications, but has no experience in any of his financial arrangements.
Ruffin added that he did not know enough to substantiate the allegations.
Thomas Dunn, chair of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs, said he expects the results of the investigation to be announced in a week or two.
Dunn said Oesterling remains a faculty member of the School of Medicine, where he teaches surgery.
Oesterling said the investigation was "no big deal" and was upbeat about returning to work.
"I want to get my tail back in the office, to help people and solve this problem with prostate cancer," he said. "That's my commitment."
One patient who had been scheduled for an operation with Oesterling said he went to the University specifically because of Oesterling's reputation.
"He can come here and do the operation on my dining room table," said Central Lake resident William Gadwau, a retired machine shop operator.
"That's how much faith I have in him."