Article Proposes Ombuds for Graduate Medical Education

The current issue of the Journal of Education in Perioperative Medicine includes an article, "The Role of Ombuds in Graduate Medical Education: Fostering Wellness and Psychological Safety." The authors, all faculty members at Harvard or Columbia (including Jennifer Danielsson, Ombuds for anesthesia residents at Columbia), urge the establishment of Education Ombudsperson for medical residents and fellow to foster psychological safety, wellness, and professionalism in training programs. They assert that Ombuds programs that serve university students or faculty are insufficient to address the unique nature of graduate medical education. 

Indiana University Bloomington Selects First Grad Student Ombuds

Carissa Ciampaglia has been hired as first Graduate Ombudsperson (Student Support Specialist) for Indiana's flagship public university. In this new, full-time position, she will establish an Ombuds office to serve about 11,000 graduate students on the Bloomington campus and also work closely with regional graduate programs. Her office will be part of the University Graduate School.

Journal of IOA: Guidance for Ghosts

Heather McGhee Peggs (former Student Ombuds, current Patient Ombudsman, lawyer, and consultant) is the author of a new article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association: "Ghosted! Why do Complainants Disappear and What Are the Ombuds’ Responsibilities When This Happens?" She provides insights into why visitors might discontinue services and an overview of some common practices of Ombuds offices in reporting on, and responding to, these situations.

Job Posting: Scotiabank

The Canadian multinational banking and financial services company is hiring a Manager for its Staff Ombuds Office. The full-time, fully remote, and bilingual position serves about 95,000 Scotiabank employees worldwide with workplace concerns. This is the third search for this position since December 2021.

Governor's School for the Arts in Virginia Names First Ombuds

Lauren Coble has been appointed the first Administrative Manager and Ombudsperson for the Virginia Governor’s School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities. (The school for regional secondary-school students is sponsored by the state's Department of Education and is affiliated with Radford University.) In this new role, Coble's work will focus on "promoting mutual respect, conflict resolution, and collaboration among the program’s diverse population." 

Journal of IOA Article Offers Insights from Neuroscience

A new article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association explains how Ombuds can use research from neuroscience to work with visitors. The authors are Francisco Espejo-Elgueta, the Regional Ombudsperson for the World Health Organization European Region Office; Saner Ahmedov, a former UN mediator and conflict resolution specialist; Laure Esteveny, the former CERN Ombuds; and Lee Raymond [bio unavailable].

Job Posting: UN World Food Programme, Panama

The United Nation's food assistance agency is hiring a Consultant Ombudsman for its Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services in Panama City. The initial contract is for 11 months and is renewable. Travel within the region is required.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Appoints First Ombuds

César Kagame has been named the inaugural Ombuds for Agence canadienne d'inspection des aliments, the agency that regulates food, plants, and animals in Canada. Beginning this week, he will establish a program to serve over 7,000 CFIA employees stationed across the country. 

Meet the New Ombuds for Richland School District One

Last July, Basil Harris was named the Ombudsman for the public school district for Columbia, South Carolina. (The website for his office was updated this week.) As the Ombuds, Harris provides services to parents, students, district employees, and community members with school-level issues and concerns that interfere with teaching and learning and a positive school climate. 

IOA Commits to Certification Changes in 2025

The International Ombuds Association will make significant changes to its certification process, introducing a new program accreditation while retooling individual certification. These updates aim to make certification more accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the Ombuds profession's evolving needs. Applications for Program Certification will open in June 2025, focusing on environmental compliance with IOA Standards of Practice. 

Job Posting: Loyola Marymount University

The private Jesuit university in Los Angeles is seeking its first full-time University Ombudsperson for faculty and staff. It appears that the new position will fill a position previously held by Ariane White on a part-time basis for the past two years. Meanwhile, Roy Pereira continues as the first Ombuds for Students. The position is located within the President's Office.

Job Re-Posting: Western University of Health Sciences

The private medical university in Pomona, California, is continuing its search for an inaugural Ombudsperson. The full-time position will established a program to serve the entire campus community, including 3,700 students and over 2,000 employees. The Ombuds will report to the President and practice to IOA standards. Some travel to WesternU's campus in Lebanon, Oregon, is required. 

University of Luxembourg Adds Third Ombuds

Martina Peskoller-Fuchs will join the Ombuds Service at Universitéit Lëtzebuerg in January as the third Ombuds. She will work with the inaugural (and now part-time) Ombuds, Brent Epperson, and full-time Ombuds, Veronika Lovrits. has been selected as a full-time Ombudsperson for Université du Luxembourg. The office reports to the University's Governing Council and provides services to about 10,0000 staff and students.

Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi Selects Next Faculty Ombuds

According to a recently updated webpage, Deborah Siliba was named the new Faculty Ombuds for TAMU-CC earlier this year. She follows Steven D. Seidel , who served in the position since 2022. Siliba serves over 600 members of the faculty, and reports to the Faculty Senate executive committee and the Provost. The office practices to IOA standards with some significant exceptions to confidentiality, including: "allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, related retaliation, sexual violence, fraud, waste, or abuse."

Job Posting: Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI is seeking an Associate Organizational Ombuds. The position provides services to Bureau employees with workplace issues and concerns, and follows IOA standards.