Doctor has served department ‘proudly’

Re “UCI Radiologist to Quit in Wake of Probe,” June 28

I am disturbed by The Times’ implication that Dr. Fong Tsai is stepping down as the chair of the Department of Radiological Sciences at UC Irvine because of two recent audits on whether his hiring of a resident doctor whose father later made a donation was improper. Tsai has served his department proudly, and when he steps down early next year, it will be voluntarily. He has been under no pressure to resign, and his decision is strictly a personal one. Tsai has always been committed to advancing healthcare at UCI and will continue to do so after his duties as chair are over. It bears repeating that two UCI audits found no wrongdoing and that there was no connection between the donation and the hiring of the resident doctor. The gift was made in good faith and will support academic and clinical growth in radiology.

THOMAS C. CESARIO, MD

Dean of Medicine, UC Irvine