From Tenure to 5.09: Dr. Bradley Foerster’s Medical Leave and Dean Runge’s Dismissal Recommendation on the First Full Day Back (2016–2018)
February 1, 2016 — Dean Runge Recommends Promotion with Tenure
On February 1, 2016, University of Michigan Medical School Dean Marschall Runge recommended Dr. Bradley Foerster to Provost Martha Pollack for promotion to Associate Professor of Radiology with tenure.
Dean Runge described Dr. Foerster as an “outstanding physician-scientist and educator” and cited Dr. Foerster’s research funding, publication record, teaching, and national reputation in ALS neuroimaging.
The Advisory Committee for Appointments, Promotions and Tenure approved the recommendation unanimously, 9-0-0. The Medical School Executive Committee then voted 6-0-2 to confirm the recommendation, with the abstentions attributed to departmental affiliation.
The recommendation followed the professional trajectory documented six months earlier by the University of Michigan Career Development Committee, which had described Dr. Foerster as a “rising star translational researcher” on an “excellent trajectory to receive a promotion with tenure.”
May 19, 2016 — Promotion with Tenure Confirmed
On May 19, 2016, Dean Marschall Runge and Senior Associate Dean Margaret Gyetko formally congratulated Dr. Bradley Foerster on promotion to Associate Professor of Radiology with tenure, effective September 1, 2016.
The Medical School concluded:
“On behalf of the Medical School, we wish you continued success and look forward to watching your academic career flourish.”
August 5, 2017 — Medical Disability for Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy
On August 5, 2017, Dr. Bradley Foerster’s total medical disability became effective. University of Michigan Work Connections later confirmed support for “total disabling, beginning August 5, 2017.”
University administrative records separately documented the effect on Dr. Foerster’s University responsibilities:
“Effort 08/05/2017 to Present: Removed from all grants and all activities to reflect medical leave”
Contemporaneous medical documentation identified lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy, right-sided back pain, a right-sided limp, and radiating right-leg symptoms. Dr. Foerster’s treating neurosurgeon documented that Dr. Foerster was disabled and unable to perform work duties, planned surgery, and certified a continuous period of incapacity beginning August 5, 2017.
September 8, 2017 — Treating Neurosurgeon Certifies Disability
On September 8, 2017, Dr. Foerster’s treating neurosurgeon completed a Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Health Condition. The certification documented right-sided back pain, a right-sided limp, radiating right-leg symptoms, and lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy.
The treating neurosurgeon documented that Dr. Foerster was disabled and unable to perform work duties, planned surgery, and certified a continuous period of incapacity beginning August 5, 2017.
2017–2018 — Neurosurgical Treatment and Staged Return to Work
Dr. Bradley Foerster continued neurosurgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy and postlaminectomy syndrome. Dr. Foerster underwent a right L5-S1 lumbar discectomy on October 19, 2017, followed by a redo lumbar discectomy and L5-S1 lumbar fusion on February 8, 2018.
On June 29, 2018, Henry Ford Health System completed a disability assessment identifying lumbosacral spondylosis without myelopathy and residual right lower-extremity paresthesia in an L5 distribution. The assessment identified August 5, 2017 as the date the symptoms first appeared.
The accompanying Functional Abilities Form established the next stage of the chronology: part-time work through July 2018, followed by return to full-time work in August 2018.
The complete Henry Ford Health System record below documents Dr. Bradley Foerster’s lumbar spine condition, neurosurgical treatment, surgical history, and subsequent clinical follow-up during 2017–2018.
August 21, 2017 — Annual Faculty Review
On August 21, 2017, Dr. Ashok Srinivasan and Department Chair Dr. N. Reed Dunnick issued Dr. Bradley Foerster’s annual faculty review. The August 21 letter memorialized an annual-review meeting held on June 26, 2017, before Dr. Foerster’s total medical disability became effective.
Dr. Dunnick and Dr. Srinivasan reported good resident and fellow teaching scores with positive comments while raising concerns about Dr. Foerster’s VA appointment, publication rate, participation in departmental meetings, and the continuing NIH R01 grant dispute.
Dr. Dunnick and Dr. Srinivasan also addressed a sexual-harassment allegation made by Duaa Altaee during the R01 dispute and recorded the University of Michigan Office for Institutional Equity conclusion:
“insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation.”
Dr. Dunnick and Dr. Srinivasan stated that mediation of the broader R01 dispute had been unsuccessful and criticized Dr. Foerster’s decision not to participate in a subsequent arbitration process.
Dr. Dunnick and Dr. Srinivasan closed the annual review by acknowledging the personal difficulties facing Dr. Foerster:
“We appreciate the pain in dealing with some of the personal issues with which you are currently challenged…. We wish you the best in getting these issues resolved.”
The June 26 annual-review meeting preceded Dr. Foerster’s total medical disability. The written annual review, however, was issued on August 21, after the August 5 effective date of total medical disability. The annual review identified concerns but made no reference to Regents’ Bylaw 5.09, dismissal proceedings, termination, or a recommendation to initiate dismissal proceedings.
August 6, 2018 — First Full Day Back and Recommendation to Initiate 5.09 Proceedings
Dr. Foerster remained away from full-time work during the period of medical treatment and approved medical leave described above. Henry Ford Health System subsequently supported a staged return to work, culminating in return to full-time work in August 2018.
August 6, 2018 was Dr. Foerster’s first full day back at work from approved medical leave.
Dr. Ella Kazerooni had scheduled a meeting in advance to discuss Dr. Foerster’s return to work. During the meeting, Dr. Kazerooni and Dr. Bradford handed Dr. Foerster a four-page letter from Dean Marschall Runge recommending initiation of dismissal proceedings under Regents’ Bylaw 5.09 and recommending immediate relief from University duties.
The August 6 letter marked a new stage in the chronology. The University’s August 21, 2017 annual review had identified concerns but had not referenced Regents’ Bylaw 5.09 or recommended dismissal proceedings. On Dr. Foerster’s first full day back in August 2018, Dean Runge recommended initiation of those proceedings.
5.09 Documentary Chronology
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Selected Reporting
- Bradley Foerster Submits 140-Exhibit, 1,121-Page Documentary Chronology to FBI for Supervisory Review of the Investigation Involving Dr. Bradley Foerster, Dr. Myria Petrou, and Duaa Altaee
- From One FBI File to a Legislative Proposal: Peter and Maria Foerster Ask Senator Van Hollen's Office and Congressman Jamie Raskin to Consider a Uniform Administrative Framework for Federal Investigations
- Eva Feldman Documentary Chronology: 139 Exhibits on NIH R01NS082304, University Proceedings, and Federal Investigation — No Response Received
- Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou Send Ann Arbor Officials Documentary Chronology on AAPD and Related Federal Investigations — No Response Received
- Timothy Lynch Documentary Chronology: 63 Exhibits on University of Michigan Office of General Counsel, University Investigations, and Law Enforcement — No Response Received
- Bradley Foerster and Myria Petrou Documentary Chronology: 8 Exhibits Document More Than Two Years of Efforts to Trace Bank of Ann Arbor's $1.4 Million Sheriff's Sale Credit Bid — No Response Received
Brad Foerster, MD PhD
Brad Foerster is a FOIA advocate documenting requests, transparency disputes, and accountability investigations involving public agencies, universities, police oversight, and Russia-Gate related inquiries. His work compiles original documents, timelines, and analysis of public records and institutional responses. Brad is also a board-certified radiologist, author of Town & Gown, and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Brad lives in Potomac, Maryland with his family and is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.