Even though doctors may sexually assault patients, the Texas Medical Board allows them to remain doctors. Patients trust their physicians. They trust doctors with their lives, their children, and their bodies. Some of these doctor’s breach that confidence and take advantage of patients. They molest them and sexually assault them, yet the Medical Board allows them to continue to practice and pray on other victims.
The Texas Medical Board has recently allowed three doctors, each accused of sexual assault to keep their licenses. One doctor was accused of sexually molesting three girls. Another was accused of groping patients and giving them unnecessary vaginal exams while under anesthesia. A neurologist was charged with groping at least a dozen women. Despite this criminal conduct, the Texas Medical Board has allowed them to keep their licenses.
Doctors Continue to Practice After Allegations of Sexual Assault
The Austin American-Statesman has reviewed medical board records regarding discipline action taken against doctors. Between 1999 and 2016, three out of four doctors punished for sexual improprieties with patients were allowed to continue working as physicians.
In response to the Statesman article, The Medical Board offered the following: “We think it is misleading to group all of these cases together regardless of offense,” said spokesman Jarrett Schneider. “There are very different and varying degrees of boundaries issues addressed in this list, ranging from a physician making an inappropriate remark to sexual assault.”
Medical board officials say it’s difficult to take stronger action against doctors who have been acquitted of sexual offenses in court. Witnesses are often unwilling to testify, and a lack of evidence makes it hard to determine whether a violation occurred, Schneider said.
A Summary of the Findings
The Austin American-Statesman reported that:
- Of the approximately 200 doctors disciplined, about 50 lost their licenses. Of the remaining 150 who were allowed to keep working as physicians, about half continue to practice today.
- The medical board has allowed doctors with criminal records keep practicing. A Houston doctor who pleaded guilty to several counts of injury to a child continues to practice.
- Medical board disciplinary orders are vaguely written. Orders may indicate patients were uncomfortable with the exam, as opposed to discussing the alleged sexual misconduct.
The records also show that the sexual misconduct alleged in each case was different. Some doctors dated patients while others groped them. Regardless of the circumstances, one could conclude that The Medical Board places a great emphasis on allowing doctors to continue to practice.
If you’ve been harmed by a doctor, Chelsie King Garza is available to listen and help. Contact Chelsie King Garza today.
