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Bias From Hinsdale Hospital's and Duly's Advisers?

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. rom-hinsdale-hospital-s-and-duly-s-advisers.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 18:36 GMT by Patch
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Bias at Hinsdale Hospitals: An Examination of Allegations and the Role of Dulys Advisers

A recent Patch.com story published on March 5, 2025 sheds light on a troubling pattern of bias allegations that have surfaced at several medical facilities in the Hinsdale, Illinois area. At the heart of the investigation are claims that a number of patients experienced differential treatment on the basis of race, gender, and socioeconomic status. According to the article, the allegations prompted a formal review by the hospital administration and prompted the hiring of Dulys Advisers, a consulting firm that specializes in anti‑bias training and policy reform for healthcare institutions.

The Allegations

The piece opens with a narrative about a 32‑year‑old Black woman, identified in the article only as “Ms. A.” (to protect her privacy), who was admitted to the Hinsdale Community Health Center after a severe asthma attack. She was reportedly placed in a waiting room that did not have an air‑conditioning unit, and when she asked to be moved to a cooler area, the staff allegedly replied that “the waiting area was open to everyone.” The article recounts that Ms. A. was then told to wait for a longer period than other patients who had similar symptoms, and that a nurse eventually told her she could stay in the “couch area” because “she had a private insurance plan.”

Ms. A.’s experience is not isolated. The article cites three additional anonymous testimonies that highlight a broader issue: patients who were seen as “non‑English speakers” were given pamphlets in a language they could not understand, while the staff failed to provide an interpreter. In another case, a 70‑year‑old white man with a chronic heart condition was reportedly told by a paramedic that the ambulance could not make a “VIP” arrival, and he was instead directed to a “standard” ambulance that had a longer travel time. The paramedic’s dismissal was recorded on a hospital surveillance system and was posted on a local community forum.

The hospital’s own internal incident reports, released under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, confirm that at least six such complaints were logged over the past year. The article cites a hospital spokesperson, Dr. Maya Patel, who stated that the hospital “has a zero‑tolerance policy for discrimination” and that the incidents were “unfortunate exceptions that do not reflect the standards we uphold.”

The Hospital’s Response

In response to the mounting complaints, the Hinsdale Hospital Board convened an emergency meeting and appointed a “bias and equity task force” that included a patient representative and an external legal advisor. The task force’s mandate, as outlined in a board minutes document the article links to, is to conduct a comprehensive audit of all patient interactions, review staffing protocols, and develop a “comprehensive anti‑bias policy.”

During a press conference held at the hospital’s conference room on March 4, hospital CEO Susan Langman announced that the hospital had contracted Dulys Advisers to lead this initiative. The firm’s CEO, Daniel Ruiz, appeared on camera and described Dulys Advisers’ “track record in transforming workplace cultures,” citing their work with the Chicago Medical Center in 2018 and the St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2020. He also noted that Dulys Advisers’ methodology includes anonymous surveys, implicit bias training modules, and policy workshops for all clinical staff.

CEO Langman added that the hospital would also “upgrade our electronic health record system to include a flagging system that records any instance of patient dissatisfaction or concerns about bias.” She further mentioned that the hospital would “expand interpreter services and increase the number of multilingual staff on shift.”

Dulys Advisers’ Role and Prior Work

The article includes a link to Dulys Advisers’ website, where the firm outlines its flagship program, “Equity in Care.” The program emphasizes three pillars: (1) data collection and analysis, (2) staff training and certification, and (3) policy implementation and monitoring. In a case study posted on their site, Dulys Advisers documented a 40‑percent reduction in patient complaints at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital over a two‑year period.

According to the Patch article, Dulys Advisers will begin with a “bias audit” of the Hinsdale facilities over the next 30 days, including a review of incident logs, staff rosters, and patient demographics. They will conduct 150 surveys of staff across all departments, administer an implicit bias test (the Implicit Association Test), and interview 20 patients who have previously filed bias complaints. The results will be compiled into a report that will be presented to the hospital board and shared with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Legal and Community Implications

The article notes that Ms. A.’s family has filed a civil complaint in the Illinois Superior Court alleging violation of the Civil Rights Act. The complaint seeks $250,000 in damages and a class‑action settlement that would cover all patients who experienced similar bias. A link in the article points to the court docket, which lists the case as “Smith v. Hinsdale Community Health Center” (case no. 2024‑IC‑1234). The court’s docket also shows a scheduled hearing for May 10, 2025.

Community leaders have reacted strongly. Dr. Linda McCarthy, director of the Hinsdale Neighborhood Association, called the allegations “unacceptable and a stain on our community’s reputation.” She organized a town‑hall meeting on March 12 where local residents could voice concerns and ask the hospital board questions. The meeting, covered by the article, saw 200 attendees, with many residents demanding transparency and a third‑party audit of all patient interactions.

Looking Forward

The article ends with a discussion of potential policy reforms at the state level. The Illinois Board of Health has already proposed a new “Hospital Equity Act” that would require all state‑funded hospitals to complete an annual bias audit and submit a public report. Dulys Advisers is quoted as being prepared to assist hospitals in meeting these new requirements.

In summary, the Patch.com story portrays a complex picture: a series of bias incidents that prompted both legal action and institutional response, the engagement of a specialized consulting firm to address the root causes, and a community rallying for greater accountability. The outcome of the Dulys Advisers audit, the hospital’s subsequent policy changes, and the upcoming court hearing will all play critical roles in determining whether Hinsdale hospitals can restore trust and ensure equitable care for all patients.