Patient alleges assault by Philly hospital employee after surgery

PHILADELPHIA — A hospital employee is facing charges in what a patient alleges was a sexual assault in two different hospital rooms after her surgery earlier this year.

WPVI—TV reports that 28-year-old Rose Tummarello alleges that a Jefferson University Hospital employee sexually assaulted her Jan. 29 following her nine-hour surgery. She said the employee’s job was to transport her from surgery room to recovery room, but she alleges that he assaulted her in both locations.

Forty-one-year-old Rafael Alicea is facing charges including institutional sex assault and indecent assault. Defense attorney David Mischak said his client has never been accused of misconduct during a decade of employment and “adamantly asserts his innocence and looks forward to his day in court.”

Jefferson Hospital said sexual misconduct reports are investigated and quick action is taken.