Tue, Dec 14, 2010
Aviation Credentials Are Legit, But United Grounded The Airline
Captain
If you're going to be a doctor, it's probably helpful if you
finish medical school. But William Hamman, a now-grounded United
Airlines Captain who was also thought to be a well-respected
cardiologist, was revealed to have been passing himself off as a
doctor with no credentials.
The Associated Press reports that Hamman had held hospital and
university positions and had shared millions in grant money. But
the news service uncovered that the pilot and ersatz doctor had not
finished med school, completed any residency or fellowship. He also
does not have the 15 years of clinical experience he claimed.
Hamman DOES hold type ratings for several airliners, and his
credentials as a pilot do not appear to be in question. However,
when his deception was uncovered, United Airlines grounded him. His
status with the airline is still unclear, and United isn't
saying.
Hamman apparently never treated a patient, though he was listed
as having M.D. and Ph.D degrees on articles in several scholarly
journals. He had videotaped patients being treated in emergency
rooms and other hospital settings. He had been contracted to lead a
seminar drawing parallels between airline safety and patient
safety. He reportedly had been listed as an M.D. as early as 1992
for an FAA workshop.
The deception was uncovered when Hamman applied for a grant in
the spring, and the granting agency discovered he did not have a
medical degree.
At least one doctor who had attended a seminar led by Hamman
said he never discussed medical issues during his sessions. He
principally talked about basic teamwork concepts.
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