A Brooklyn College physician assistant is facing a civil lawsuit that accuses him of sexually harassing and, in some cases, groping female students during routine exams at the campus health clinic. The complaint names Gary Giardina and seeks unspecified damages. The filing, brought this week, has quickly become a flashpoint on campus as students and administrators wait for more details to emerge.
Details From The Complaint
According to the New York Post, the lawsuit centers on allegations from a former CUNY film student, identified as Regina Patino. The complaint states that Giardina brought Patino into his office for an examination, then slid his hand up her thigh and pressed his cheek against hers. The outlet reports that the filing includes accounts from other students as well and notes that Patino had requested a female provider before the exam. As described in the civil complaint, the plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages for the alleged misconduct.
Clinic Staff And Campus Background
Public provider records list Gary Giardina as a physician assistant at Brooklyn College's health clinic on the Bedford Avenue campus, according to the federal NPI registry. The campus paper, the Brooklyn College Vanguard, has previously described Giardina as a longtime member of the clinic staff and reported that clinic director Ilene Tannenbaum retired in 2024 after 30 years of service. Together, those records and local reporting outline who has staffed the health clinic in recent years and provide context for the current allegations.
College Response And Reporting Options
Brooklyn College told the New York Post that the school “takes all reports and allegations of misconduct seriously” but declined to comment further, citing the pending litigation. The college's Office of Diversity and Equity explains how students can file complaints involving discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct and highlights available support resources. Students seeking help are directed to Brooklyn College's Title IX and support offices as well as CUNY's online portal for reporting discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Legal Stakes And Next Steps
The case remains a civil suit seeking unspecified damages, and there have been no public reports of criminal charges linked to the allegations as of publication. Under CUNY policy and federal Title IX regulations, colleges are required to investigate reports of sex-based harassment and provide appropriate remedies, and institutions that fall short can face civil liability. How the complaint proceeds, along with any formal responses from Brooklyn College or Giardina, will shape whether campus disciplinary actions or separate criminal investigations follow.
