Corewell Health physical therapist charged in alleged sexual assault of patient – WWMT

Incident Report: Alleged Misconduct at a Corewell Health Facility

Case Summary

An incident involving a healthcare professional and a patient has resulted in formal legal charges. The case highlights critical issues related to patient safety, professional ethics, and institutional accountability.

• Subject: Mark Scarlato
• Profession: Certified Manual Physical Therapist
• Employer: Corewell Health
• Location: West Michigan
• Reporting Agency: Kentwood Police Department

Legal Proceedings

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the subject was formally charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. The charges are as follows:

1. Criminal Sexual Conduct – Third Degree (Three Counts)
2. Criminal Sexual Conduct – Fourth Degree (One Count)

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This incident directly contravenes the principles of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

• Violation of Patient Safety: The alleged assault represents a severe breach of the professional duty to provide safe and quality healthcare, undermining the trust essential for effective health services.
• Impact on Well-being: The actions compromise the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which is a core component of SDG 3.
• Access to Healthcare: Such events can create significant barriers, deterring individuals from seeking necessary medical care due to fear for their personal safety.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The case relates to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by addressing violence and exploitation.

• Elimination of Violence: The charges of criminal sexual conduct fall under the target of eliminating all forms of violence against individuals, which disproportionately affects women and girls.
• Bodily Autonomy: The alleged assault is a fundamental violation of bodily autonomy and the right to be free from violence, which are prerequisites for gender equality.
• Safe Access to Services: Ensuring that public spaces, including healthcare facilities, are safe from sexual violence is critical for achieving SDG 5.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The response by law enforcement and the judicial system underscores the importance of effective and accountable institutions.

• Access to Justice: The filing of formal charges by the Kentwood Police Department demonstrates the institutional mechanism for providing victims with access to justice.
• Accountability: This case highlights the role of strong institutions in holding individuals, including professionals in positions of trust, accountable for their actions under the rule of law.
• Promoting Rule of Law: The legal process serves to reinforce the rule of law and ensure that all individuals are subject to legal standards, thereby building more peaceful and inclusive societies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on health, violence, and the justice system’s response.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The incident occurred within a healthcare setting (Corewell Health facility), and the alleged assault by a physical therapist directly harms a patient’s physical and mental well-being, undermining the core principle of safe and effective healthcare.

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     The crime, “criminal sexual conduct,” is a form of sexual violence. SDG 5 aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. While the victim’s gender is not specified, sexual assault is a key issue addressed under this goal.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     The article highlights the role of law enforcement and the justice system. The involvement of the Kentwood Police Department and the filing of charges against the alleged perpetrator relate directly to promoting the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for victims of violence.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Specific targets can be identified that correspond to the SDGs mentioned above.

   • Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…” The alleged assault represents a severe failure in providing “quality” and safe healthcare services, as the patient was harmed in a place where they should have been safe.

   • Under SDG 5: Gender Equality

     Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres…” The charge of “criminal sexual conduct” is a direct example of the type of sexual violence this target aims to eradicate.

   • Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The assault is a form of violence that this target seeks to reduce.

     Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The fact that the physical therapist was charged by the police demonstrates the justice system functioning to hold individuals accountable, which is central to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article provides qualitative and event-based indicators that can measure progress or setbacks related to the identified targets.

   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.8

     The reported incident of a patient being assaulted at a Corewell Health facility serves as a direct, albeit non-statistical, indicator of a failure in patient safety and quality of care.

   • Implied Indicator for Target 5.2

     The specific case, involving “four counts criminal sexual conduct,” is a data point that contributes to the measurement of the prevalence of sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner.

   • Implied Indicator for Target 16.3

     The action of the Kentwood Police Department charging the suspect is an indicator of the justice system’s response rate. It shows that a victim’s report of violence led to official action by a competent authority, which is a key measure of access to justice.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.8: Access to quality essential health-care services.	The report of an alleged assault on a patient at a Corewell Health facility, indicating a breach in safe and quality healthcare.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	The specific charges of “criminal sexual conduct” serve as an instance of sexual violence.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence. 16.3: Ensure equal access to justice for all.	The filing of charges by the Kentwood Police Department, demonstrating that a report of violence was acted upon by the justice system.

Source: wwmt.com