University of Michigan FOIA Release Reveals Sara Abraham's Complaints Against Dr. Bradley Foerster, Dr. Myria Petrou, and Duaa Altaee Following Her Termination for Cause
After more than a year, the University of Michigan released records in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request concerning complaints submitted by former research coordinator Sara Abraham.
Sara Abraham had been recommended to Dr. Myria Petrou by Dr. Eva Feldman and worked as a trainee on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) ALS research grant. Abraham was later terminated for cause following a recommendation from University Human Resources after making false Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) allegations against Dr. Petrou.
The FOIA release marked the first time that Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Petrou were able to review Abraham's complaints submitted to both the University of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS-OCR).
In addition to the HIPAA allegations, Abraham asserted numerous other claims against Dr. Petrou, Dr. Foerster, and Duaa Altaee, including allegations of antisemitism, data falsification, sexual harassment, financial irregularities, and research misconduct.
HHS-OCR reviewed the HIPAA complaint and dismissed it, concluding that no doctor-patient relationship existed between Dr. Petrou and Abraham.
Abraham had also completed formal HIPAA training through Michigan Medicine, with training records signed by both the University and the lead coordinator in the Department of Radiology.
Additional reviews reached similar conclusions. Dr. James Ashton-Miller found the allegations of research fraud to be unfounded, and Dr. Feldman described the claims as "unfounded" and "embarrassing."
Abraham's complaints also prompted an internal investigation by the University of Michigan Office of General Counsel and Radiology Human Resources. The investigation included interviews with Dr. Foerster, Dr. Petrou, and Duaa Altaee. The Human Resources representative participating in the investigation was the same individual who had previously recommended Abraham's termination.
Subsequent FOIA requests sought records documenting that Office of General Counsel and Human Resources investigation. After multiple extensions and payment of the required deposit, the University's FOIA Office reported that it located "no responsive records" documenting the investigation.
FOIA Release: Documents obtained from the University of Michigan regarding Sara Abraham's HIPAA complaint and the University's subsequent handling of those complaints.
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.