The most prominent Galen College of Nursing lawsuit is Gilliam v. Galen College of Nursing, a 2015 Title IX discrimination case filed in Kentucky by a transgender student. Alongside that suit, the for-profit school owned by HCA Healthcare currently faces two open federal civil rights investigations tied to its Virginia operations, an accreditor public disclosure statement issued in June 2025, and years of student complaints about billing, dismissals, and instruction quality. Its programmatic nursing accreditations remain in place.
The Gilliam Discrimination Lawsuit
In September 2015, Vanessa Gilliam, a transgender woman and U.S. Army veteran enrolled at Galen’s Louisville campus, sued the school in Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, Kentucky.1The Advocate. Trans Veteran Sues Kentucky Nursing School for Discrimination Gilliam alleged that school officials pulled her out of class and, in a private meeting, referred to her as a “man dressed as a woman.” She also alleged the school denied her access to women’s restrooms on campus after another student complained about her presence, and said the treatment created a hostile environment that pushed her to leave.
The complaint was brought under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex-based discrimination at institutions receiving federal funding. Her attorneys argued Title IX’s protections reach gender identity and that Galen’s conduct amounted to both disparate treatment and a hostile educational environment.2Scribd. Gilliam v. Galen College of Nursing Complaint She sought reimbursement for tuition and books, court costs, and damages for emotional trauma. The available record reflects the case in active litigation as of late 2015 and does not show a public outcome.
Federal Civil Rights Investigations
On December 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened two investigations into Galen, both concerning the school’s Virginia operations and both filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination based on race, color, or national origin at federally funded schools. One investigation alleges denial of benefits; the other alleges retaliation.3U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. OCR Open Investigations
OCR’s public listing does not name the complainant, identify which Virginia campus is involved (Galen operates in both Richmond and Roanoke), or describe the factual allegations.4U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. OCR Open Investigations – Title VI The agency notes that an open investigation is not a finding that any violation has occurred. Both cases remained pending as of early 2025.
Student Complaints Behind the Legal Scrutiny
Starting in late 2023, WCJB-TV20 in Gainesville, Florida, published a series of reports drawing complaints from Galen students in Gainesville, San Antonio, Houston, Pembroke Pines, and West Palm Beach. The similarity across campuses suggested the issues were not confined to one location.5WCJB. Complaints About Galen College Spread Well Beyond Gainesville
Students told reporters their tuition bills for the same semester varied by more than $1,000, and that after dismissals or leaves of absence they were required to pay admission fees again and repay prior balances. A San Antonio student put her quarterly tuition at $6,000 and said prices had climbed over time. At the Gainesville campus, students said some instructors admitted they were learning material alongside the class and had never taught the subject before; in one instance, a student who worked as a respiratory therapist reportedly corrected an instructor’s teaching on arterial blood gases.6WCJB. Some Students at Galen College Express Scam Fears Amid Controversy
Multiple students said they were forced to retake courses they had already passed after administrative errors or forced leaves. Students who failed a medical-surgical nursing course at Gainesville were told they would owe $4,000 to retake it, refunded only if they passed. Abreanna Youmans, a Gainesville student, said she was dismissed for missing classes without ever having been told about the attendance policy. Kayla Smith, who attended San Antonio, said the campus lacked enough clinical sites, seats, and instructors for its enrollment, which she said forced students into repeated cycles of re-admission and coursework.5WCJB. Complaints About Galen College Spread Well Beyond Gainesville
Better Business Bureau reviews echo the same themes. Several reviewers called the school a “scam” and said the institution profits from cycling students through repeated coursework funded by federal aid. Some reported being blocked from sitting for the NCLEX or receiving their diplomas until they cleared balances above $3,000. At least one reviewer said they filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Texas Board of Nursing, and accrediting bodies.7Better Business Bureau. Galen College of Nursing Customer Reviews
None of this is a legal finding against the school. It is the backdrop against which the federal investigations opened, and it is what students weighing enrollment or transfer are most likely to encounter online.
Accreditation and Regulatory Status
Galen holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. In June 2025, SACSCOC issued a Public Disclosure Statement regarding Galen, a formal action taken by the accreditor’s Board of Trustees when compliance concerns arise.8SACSCOC. June 2025 Accreditation Actions and Public Disclosure Statements The specific findings and the school’s response are not detailed in the public record reviewed here.
At the program level, Galen’s bachelor’s degree nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and its associate and master’s programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. As of early 2026, no ACEN-accredited Galen campus carried an adverse stipulation such as probation or show cause.9ACEN. Galen College of Nursing – Nashville10ACEN. Galen College of Nursing – Aurora Several newer campuses, including Orlando and Savannah and the practical nursing programs at Louisville and Pikeville, hold initial accreditation or candidacy status.11Galen College of Nursing. Accreditation
State regulators have not corroborated the student complaints in the one recent inspection on record. The Texas Board of Nursing conducted a routine survey visit at the San Antonio campus in November 2023 and found no deficiencies. At its January 2024 meeting, the Board accepted the survey report and found the ADN program in compliance with all applicable rules.12Texas Board of Nursing. Consideration of Findings From Survey Visits – Galen College San Antonio
What the School Says
In response to WCJB’s reporting, a Galen representative said the college has educated nurses for more than 30 years, has more than 36,000 graduates, and posts licensure pass rates above the national average. The school said its faculty meet all requirements set by boards of nursing and accrediting bodies, and that it applies “rigorous evaluation” while offering “robust student support” and feedback channels.5WCJB. Complaints About Galen College Spread Well Beyond Gainesville Students told WCJB they feared retaliation for speaking publicly, and when the station sought comment from the Gainesville campus dean, it was denied access.6WCJB. Some Students at Galen College Express Scam Fears Amid Controversy
Ownership Context
Galen was founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1989 and now operates campuses in more than a dozen states along with online programs. In January 2020, HCA Healthcare, one of the largest for-profit hospital operators in the United States, acquired a majority stake in Galen’s parent company.13HCA Healthcare. HCA Healthcare Completes Purchase of Majority Stake in Galen College of Nursing HCA describes the arrangement as an “Academic Practice Partnership,” with Galen graduates feeding the HCA hospital system’s nursing workforce.