Aviation Credentials Are Legit, But United Grounded The Airline Captain

If you're going to be a doctor, it's probably helpful if you finish medical school. But William Hamman, a now-grounded United Airlines Captain who was also thought to be a well-respected cardiologist, was revealed to have been passing himself off as a doctor with no credentials.

The Associated Press reports that Hamman had held hospital and university positions and had shared millions in grant money. But the news service uncovered that the pilot and ersatz doctor had not finished med school, completed any residency or fellowship. He also does not have the 15 years of clinical experience he claimed.

Hamman DOES hold type ratings for several airliners, and his credentials as a pilot do not appear to be in question. However, when his deception was uncovered, United Airlines grounded him. His status with the airline is still unclear, and United isn't saying.

Hamman apparently never treated a patient, though he was listed as having M.D. and Ph.D degrees on articles in several scholarly journals. He had videotaped patients being treated in emergency rooms and other hospital settings. He had been contracted to lead a seminar drawing parallels between airline safety and patient safety. He reportedly had been listed as an M.D. as early as 1992 for an FAA workshop.

The deception was uncovered when Hamman applied for a grant in the spring, and the granting agency discovered he did not have a medical degree.

At least one doctor who had attended a seminar led by Hamman said he never discussed medical issues during his sessions. He principally talked about basic teamwork concepts.

FMI: www.ama-assn.org