Duke Nurse Arrested for Assaulting Patients at Duke Hospital

A nurse employed at Duke University Hospital faces serious felony charges following allegations of sexually assaulting patients. Jomil Uy Tugado, 39, was arrested on Thursday and charged with sexual battery, among other offenses. University police claim he assaulted two female patients while they were incapacitated, with incidents reported in May and earlier this month.

Following these allegations, Tugado's nursing license was suspended on Thursday, and Duke Health confirmed he was removed from patient care and placed on administrative leave on December 7. He began his employment at Duke Health in July 2023. A judge has ordered Tugado to be held without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for January.

Duke Health emphasized its commitment to patient safety and its zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct, urging any patients who have witnessed or experienced inappropriate conduct to contact their dedicated hotline. This incident follows a similar case involving a former nurse at UNC Rex Hospital, prompting a statement from the North Carolina Nurses Association condemning such abuse of trust and supporting the swift suspension of licenses.