Re: Did anyone hear about Dr. Mel Levine?!!!

[Guest guest]

That is a terrible story! It sounds like there are 7 accusers so

far -- with 1 you might think " crackpot " , but 7? I did a lot of

volunteer work with a sexual assault group when I lived in NYC, and I

heard many stories of this nature first hand. Virtually every person

who was abused as a child did not speak up at the time. The few who

did were not taken seriously because they were " just kids " . FYI -- I

don't have a link, but from my training I remember that the false

accusation rate for all sexual assault is equal to the rate for all

crimes, and that's a very low %.

This is an excellent reminder for those of us here who see many

doctors and therapists in all sorts of settings. There are very few

times that a child needs to be alone with an adult behind closed

doors. When you will not be with your child, always find out the

situation your child will be in: will there be other therapists

present? Does the door have a window? (This makes a difference!)

Can the session be viewed remotely? Therapists/teachers/doctors

should also protect themselves from false accusations as well, by

having others present, leaving doors open, etc.

Here is a link to information on the group I used to volunteer with.

If any of you have unresolved issues from a past sexual assault,

contact SAVI and speak to Iona Siegel. She is located in NYC, but

I'm sure she could find you appropriate help in your neck of the

woods. SAVI provides counseling to sexual assault survivors free of

charge, as do most organizations of that type. And Iona is an unsung

saint of a woman! She has devoted her life to helping people.

http://www.barnard.columbia.edu/bcrw/guide/ST/SAVI.htm

in NJ

>

> Dr. Mel Levine, the writer of various best selling books for

> teaching " all kinds of minds " was accused of child abuse from 23

> years ago?! Did anyone see this?

> http://youtube.com/watch?v=-hjTU8SzVFY

>

> Mel Levine, author of " All Kinds of Minds " practiced pediatrics at

> Children's Hospital Boston from 1971 to 1985. On March 31, 2008,

> attorney Carmen L. Durso filed a lawsuit on behalf of an unnamed

> plaintiff, alleging that between 1980 and 1985, Levine performed

> repeated and unnecessary physical examinations on his client,

> including sexual acts. There are six other plaintiffs in the suit

> with similar allegations.

>

> In explaining the 23-year delay in filing such a suit:

>

> The plaintiff who filed the lawsuit " was unable to recall and to

> understand " the abuse until February 2006, the complaint said. It

> says he has been in therapy since.

>

> After leaving Boston, Levine was a professor at the University of

> North Carolina School of Medicine until 2006. In the last two years,

> he held an " unpaid appointment as an adjunct professor at the

> university, where he continued to see patients twice a month. " UNC

> announced that Levine has volunteered not to see any patients until

> the suit is resolved.

>

> In a faxed statement, Levine's lawyer, Mahoney of Boston,

said

> the doctor is innocent.

>

> " Dr. Mel Levine has provided pediatric care to more than 15,000

> children over 40 years and categorically denies that he has ever

been

> abusive in any way toward any patient, " said Mahoney, who questioned

> the motives of the lawyer filing the suit. " He adamantly denies

these

> claims. Dr. Levine is distressed about the distorted or

> misinterpreted memories from decades past and questions the

> motivations. "

>

> The plaintiff " was unable to recall and to understand "

>

http://trusted.md/feed/items/system/2008/04/03/mel_levine_accused_of_s

exual_abuse

>

> The website http://www.allkindsofminds.org/

>

> Dr. Mel Levine is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of

> North Carolina Medical School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr.

> Levine is also the co-founder of All Kinds of Minds, a non-profit

> Institute for the study of differences in learning, with financier

> R. Schwab. In addition, they co-chair the Institute's Board

> of Trustees.

>

> Over the past thirty years Dr. Levine has pioneered programs for the

> evaluation of children and young adults with learning, development

> and/or behavioral problems. In 1995, Dr. Levine received the C.

> Aldrich Award for outstanding contribution to the field of

> child development, putting him in the company of Dr. Spock,

> Dr. T. Berry Brazelton and Dr. Jerome Kagan, recipients of this

> prestigious award in other years.

>

> Dr. Levine graduated summa cum laude from Brown University and was a

> Scholar at Oxford in England. He later graduated from Harvard

> Medical School and completed his pediatric training at The

Children's

> Hospital in Boston. Dr. Levine served for fourteen years as Chief of

> the Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics at The Children's Hospital and

> was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The Harvard Medical

> School before moving to North Carolina.

>

> Dr. Levine's groundbreaking framework for understanding why children

> struggle in school provides a straightforward, practical system for

> recognizing variations in the way children learn and uses their

> strengths to help them become more successful students. Properly

> executed, this model can change lives by radically improving

> prospects for success in and out of school.

>

> Publications by Dr. Mel Levine include:

>

> A Pediatric Approach to Learning Disorders

> Developmental Variation and Learning Disorders (2nd Edition)

> Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (3rd Edition)

> All Kinds Of Minds

> Educational Care

> Keeping A Head In School

> Jarvis Clutch - Social Spy

> A Mind at a Time

> The Myth of Laziness

> Ready or Not, Here Life Comes

>

> More books here

> http://www.epsbooks.com/dynamic/catalog/subject.asp?subject=73S

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

i have a quesiton about this... WHen I take my kids to their pediatrician - I am

in the office with them, so wouldn't the parent know at that point if the dr.

was doing something wrong????  Am I naive or something?? Am I the only one who

does not leave (nor ever would leave) their kid alone with the pediatrician??

  Cristal

gtzellner@...

[ ] Did anyone hear about Dr. Mel Levine?!!!

Dr. Mel Levine, the writer of various best selling books for

teaching " all kinds of minds " was accused of child abuse from 23

years ago?! Did anyone see this?

http://youtube. com/watch? v=-hjTU8SzVFY

Mel Levine, author of " All Kinds of Minds " practiced pediatrics at

Children's Hospital Boston from 1971 to 1985. On March 31, 2008,

attorney Carmen L. Durso filed a lawsuit on behalf of an unnamed

plaintiff, alleging that between 1980 and 1985, Levine performed

repeated and unnecessary physical examinations on his client,

including sexual acts. There are six other plaintiffs in the suit

with similar allegations.

In explaining the 23-year delay in filing such a suit:

The plaintiff who filed the lawsuit " was unable to recall and to

understand " the abuse until February 2006, the complaint said. It

says he has been in therapy since.

After leaving Boston, Levine was a professor at the University of

North Carolina School of Medicine until 2006. In the last two years,

he held an " unpaid appointment as an adjunct professor at the

university, where he continued to see patients twice a month. " UNC

announced that Levine has volunteered not to see any patients until

the suit is resolved.

In a faxed statement, Levine's lawyer, Mahoney of Boston, said

the doctor is innocent.

" Dr. Mel Levine has provided pediatric care to more than 15,000

children over 40 years and categorically denies that he has ever been

abusive in any way toward any patient, " said Mahoney, who questioned

the motives of the lawyer filing the suit. " He adamantly denies these

claims. Dr. Levine is distressed about the distorted or

misinterpreted memories from decades past and questions the

motivations. "

The plaintiff " was unable to recall and to understand "

http://trusted. md/feed/items/ system/2008/ 04/03/mel_ levine_accused_

of_sexual_ abuse

The website http://www.allkinds ofminds.org/

Dr. Mel Levine is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of

North Carolina Medical School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr.

Levine is also the co-founder of All Kinds of Minds, a non-profit

Institute for the study of differences in learning, with financier

R. Schwab. In addition, they co-chair the Institute's Board

of Trustees.

Over the past thirty years Dr. Levine has pioneered programs for the

evaluation of children and young adults with learning, development

and/or behavioral problems. In 1995, Dr. Levine received the C.

Aldrich Award for outstanding contribution to the field of

child development, putting him in the company of Dr. Spock,

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton and Dr. Jerome Kagan, recipients of this

prestigious award in other years.

Dr. Levine graduated summa cum laude from Brown University and was a

Scholar at Oxford in England. He later graduated from Harvard

Medical School and completed his pediatric training at The Children's

Hospital in Boston. Dr. Levine served for fourteen years as Chief of

the Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics at The Children's Hospital and

was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The Harvard Medical

School before moving to North Carolina.

Dr. Levine's groundbreaking framework for understanding why children

struggle in school provides a straightforward, practical system for

recognizing variations in the way children learn and uses their

strengths to help them become more successful students. Properly

executed, this model can change lives by radically improving

prospects for success in and out of school.

Publications by Dr. Mel Levine include:

A Pediatric Approach to Learning Disorders

Developmental Variation and Learning Disorders (2nd Edition)

Developmental- Behavioral Pediatrics (3rd Edition)

All Kinds Of Minds

Educational Care

Keeping A Head In School

Jarvis Clutch - Social Spy

A Mind at a Time

The Myth of Laziness

Ready or Not, Here Life Comes

More books here

http://www.epsbooks .com/dynamic/ catalog/subject. asp?subject= 73S

=====

[Guest guest]

I'm always in the room with either of my boys- and we've had both

male and female pediatricians both in Jersey and now in Florida.

When they did exams (not every exam) every single one at one time or

another examined my boys genitals. This is what the abuse is from

when the child was 5 one said. I still am not clear what the actual

abuse was? Taking too long to examine? This isn't

sleeping in bed with children -this is part of a pediatric exam. I

guess the only people that would know for sure what constitutes

taking " too long " to exam genitals would be another medical doctor.

I know in special needs children pediatricians do check this area for

another reason too - lack of development can be a sign of certain

syndromes. This probably would fall in the same line as a doctor who

does a quick vs. a more thorough breast exam to check for changes in

the breast tissue. If a doctor does a thorough breast exam could they be

slapped with a sexual harassment suit as well?

Here's an article I just found that gives both sides

Accusations shock doctor's backers

Noted pediatrician accused of abuses

(Raleigh) News & Observer

Boyles' reaction was visceral when she heard last week that Dr.

Mel Levine, the pediatrician who treated her son for more than a

decade, was accused of fondling patients.

" I thought it was ridiculous, " said Boyles, a Raleigh lawyer. " And so

did my son. "

Levine is a world-famous child development expert credited with

revolutionizing his field and propelling thousands of troubled

children to success. He has written dozens of well-regarded books and

trained teachers and doctors in several states.

Last week, accusations that he improperly touched boys during

physical exams became widely known when a Boston lawyer held a news

conference, saying he represents five former patients in lawsuits

against Levine.

Since then, lawyers say, 40 people, several of them in North

Carolina, have come forward to allege being molested by Levine, 68.

Officials at the UNC School of Medicine, which has employed Levine

since 1985, say they are investigating a similar complaint, received

last weekend.

Now, Levine's legions of fans -- patients, doctors and teachers --

are trying to reconcile the man they revere with the allegations that

could destroy his career.

Many parents see Levine as a savior, the first doctor to understand

their children's unique struggles. Levine built his career by defying

conventional wisdom about learning disabilities, refusing even to use

the word disability or to diagnose children with specific disorders.

Instead, he has espoused the idea that each child has a different

learning style. He is widely described as a genius.

Levine, who lives in Rougemont, declined to comment.

" Dr. Levine has received an outpouring of support over the last

couple of weeks, " said his Raleigh attorney, Alan Schneider. " For a

man who has spent his entire life trying to save troubled

families ... these are the worst type of allegations. It's heart

wrenching. "

Earlier cases dismissed

Behind the scenes, such claims are not new to Levine, who has been a

pediatrician since 1966, first in Massachusetts and then in Chapel

Hill. Seven former patients, all of whom saw him in Massachusetts,

have accused Levine of improper conduct.

In 1988, a patient filed suit in federal court claiming that, upon

every visit to Levine, he was asked to strip naked from the waist

down and stand on a stool. Levine inspected the boy's genitals so

closely that they touched Levine's face, the suit says. The suit was

dismissed.

In 1993, a patient who saw Levine for digestive problems filed a

complaint with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine,

claiming that Levine handled his genitals excessively.

The board dismissed the complaint after Levine laid out a host of

medical reasons for genital examinations in such patients.

Since 2005, Boston lawyer Carmen Durso has filed five lawsuits that

make similar claims. Durso, well known for representing several men

who sued Catholic priests in Boston, said his clients had suppressed

their experiences for years before having their memories triggered by

events such as going to a pediatrician visit with a son or seeing

Levine's books.

'The ray of hope'

They are damaging allegations against a man whose life has been

defined by success and acclaim.

A native of New York, Levine graduated from Brown University and was

a scholar before getting his medical degree from Harvard

Medical School in 1966. He joinedin the Air Force during the Vietnam

War and served as a pediatrician at an air base in the Philippines.

Even as a teenager, he took an interest in troubled children.

Bob Bolderson, now a yacht builder in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said he

was 9 years old when he met Levine, then a student at Brown. Levine

was part of a club that mentored boys from poor and broken homes.

Bolderson said Levine took him and other boys camping and mountain

climbing and introduced them to classical music. " The ray of hope

that many of us saw was the time we spent with Mel, " Bolderson said.

Bolderson said he has talked to many of the boys Levine mentored at

that time, and he has never heard a single allegation of

inappropriate conduct.

In 1985, UNC-CH recruited Levine from Children's Hospital in Boston.

At Chapel Hill, he took over the Clinical Center for the Study of

Development and Learning, which specializes in care for children with

learning problems.

His innovative approach -- he shunned labels such as attention

deficit hyperactivity disorder and focused on detailed evaluations

and individualized learning plans -- drew patients from across the

country. Doctors also flocked to study at Levine's side.

Many of Levine's patients were invited to his farm, where he keeps

240 geese, some of them rare and endangered species, along with

pheasants, peacocks, swans and donkeys.

He and his wife Barbara, known as " Bambi, " have no children. Levine,

who submitted a 14-page autobiography to The News & Observer,

described himself as a connoisseur of single malt scotches, a lover

of poetry and an avid traveler.

While in North Carolina, he published 13 widely read books on child

development and, in 1995, founded a nonprofit institute called All

Kinds of Minds, which offers teacher training and other services.

During travels to promote his methods, Levine wrote in his

autobiography, he realized " that I have a very vocal, vast, yet

decidedly unsought, 'cult following.' "

UNC knew of lawsuits

Levine retired from UNC-CH, where his yearly salary was $258,000, to

work full-time for the institute in 2006. Until the allegations

surfaced, he continued to see patients there two days a month for no

pay, said McCall, a spokeswoman for the School of Medicine.

McCall said the university was aware of the lawsuits against Levine,

but there were no judgments against him and, until last weekend, none

of his North Carolina patients complained. She declined to comment on

whether the university investigated after hearing of the lawsuits.

" We thoroughly investigate any complaints and take appropriate

action, " McCall said.

Durso has enlisted the help of Raleigh lawyer Kuniholm to

handle complaints that have surfaced in North Carolina.

" I think these are very serious complaints, " Kuniholm said.

She said she is weighing the possibility of filing suits in North

Carolina, but the state's three-year statute of limitations may stop

some of them. She said she will report allegations to the N.C.

Medical Board, which licenses and disciplines doctors.

Officials at the Medical Board say they are prohibited by state law

from disclosing whether they have received complaints about Levine or

whether they are investigating him. The board has never disciplined

him.

Dr. Schoener, a psychologist in Minnesota who treats victims and

perpetrators of sex abuse, said abuse victims often suppress memories

and come forward only after they hear of other victims. Schoener said

that's why widespread molestation by priests went undiscovered for

decades.

" It's off the map, the number of people who think, 'I was the only

one and that must mean that something is wrong with me,' " Schoener

said.

Allies defend Levine

Levine's defenders say they worry that Levine's prominence has

attracted people who hope for a payoff.

Dr. Edwin Sumpter, a retired pediatrician, said he studied under

Levine and watched him treat patients. He never saw anything

inappropriate.

Sumpter chafed at Durso's contention that genital exams are often

unnecessary for children with learning disorders. Sumpter, who lives

in Raleigh, said a child's sexual development can be linked to

psychological disorders.

" When you see a child you need to know the whole child, " Sumpter

said. " It's quite different than with a fully formed adult. "

Boyles said her son, , saw Levine about twice a year for more

than a decade.

She said physical exams were key to monitoring her son's progress,

and she left the room to give her son privacy.

She said Levine helped her son go from struggling in special

education to flourishing in college. He is now a student in dental

school, and Levine wrote his letter of recommendation.

" Mel, when he met with kids, he just told them they could do

anything; he inspired them, " Boyles said. " They walked out of there

feeling good about themselves. "

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/577832.html

=====

[Guest guest]

This is what I was wondering as well. Quite honestly-- any parent who DOES

leave their child unattended with a medical personnel is just VERY unwise--

and there's no reason for it, so why even tempt fate?

These poor kids could have been perfectly fine and protected if their

parents just thought for two flat seconds

Becky

In a message dated 4/30/2008 9:50:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

gtzellner@... writes:

i have a quesiton about this... WHen I take my kids to their pediatrician -

I am in the office with them, so wouldn't the parent know at that point if the

dr. was doing something wrong???? Am I naive or something?? Am I the only

one who does not leave (nor ever would leave) their kid alone with the

pediatrician?

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car

listings at AOL Autos.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

[Guest guest]

We are always present when a doctor sees our kids, but it is not

uncommon for kids to be with doctors, therapists, piano teachers,

etc. alone. At Children's Specialized, for example, tons of kids get

bused there for therapy from daycares and other schools. The bus

driver (not a health care profesional or a relative) drives the

child, alone, to Children's, then they wait in the lobby while the

child sees a therapist, alone, for an hour or more! Some therapy is

public, like in the OT gym, but some is not. Speech is in closed-

door offices. This is common practice in many places, and molestors

are unbelievably good at sniffing out vulnerable children and jobs

that provide access to them.

Most children will be alone with an adult in authority more than once

in their childhood, and they need to be taught what is OK, what is

not, and that they can tell you anything. If your child has received

pull-out services in a public school, he or she has probably been

alone with their therapist. School nurses are alone with various

kids all day long. Kids sent to the principal's office -- alone.

The examples are endless.

in NJ

>

> This is what I was wondering as well. Quite honestly-- any parent

who DOES

> leave their child unattended with a medical personnel is just

VERY unwise--

> and there's no reason for it, so why even tempt fate?

> These poor kids could have been perfectly fine and protected if

their

> parents just thought for two flat seconds

>

>

> Becky

>

>

> In a message dated 4/30/2008 9:50:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> gtzellner@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> i have a quesiton about this... WHen I take my kids to their

pediatrician -

> I am in the office with them, so wouldn't the parent know at that

point if the

> dr. was doing something wrong???? Am I naive or something?? Am I

the only

> one who does not leave (nor ever would leave) their kid alone with

the

> pediatrician?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S.

used car

> listings at AOL Autos.

> (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My kids were never alone with any doctor outside of when they were

first born that is.

Not saying we can't be too careful but I'm afraid of the other

extreme which is where we are. What's really sad about this to me is

that my son Tanner's favorite teacher 4 years ago from 1st grade used

to pat him on the back or rub his head as she walked by which even

then most considered a huge " no no " . She was very nurturing with the

kids and wouldn't hesitate to give the kids hugs -and they would hug

her back. It wasn't just Tanner that loved her -all the children

loved her. She was awesome -but the exception today. I have to ask

teachers to please give Tanner a tap on the back or a pat on the

head as they pass by him - as he loves the sensory input. Due to law

suits and allegations -teachers are so afraid to even touch a child -

no less hug them! I've been told this.. " afraid "

As outraged as I or anyone would be against anyone that would abuse a

child -I'm also outraged by how sue crazy so many people are. Some

people are even afraid to try to save someone's life because if they

do it wrong they can be sued which is why they actually had to

create " good Samaritan " laws to protect those that help! How sick is

that?

" Lawsuits have become commonplace in our society, so it is not

surprising that some people fear taking actions to help people, even

if it could save a life. Good intentions have sometimes not been

rewarded. "

http://www.yumasun.com/opinion/people_41225___article.html/surprising_aed.html

or

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/153917/Woman_Sued_For_Good_Samaritan_Act

Even if you hurt someone that breaks into your home you can be sued.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198988,00.html

Honestly while I agree there may be many risks against our children -

abuse by pediatrician spending too long on a genital exam is low on

the list of concerns to me. First of all as many pointed out who

would leave thier preschool child alone during any medical exam?

Higher on the list is that pediatricians and other doctors become

afraid of spending too much time examining the patient for fear of

any accusation whether it's true or false that can ruin their career.

Therapists and teachers -yes are alone -but pediatricians?!

And let's not forget one career is already ruined prior to court.

Dr. Mel Levine. What if he's innocent?

Here's a letter about abuse by a pediatrician prior to the latest

accusation. He better worry about those hugs today

or 23 years from now (

Friday, September 08, 2006

Sexual Abuse by Medical Professionals

Sexual abuse stories make headlines, especially when they involve the

clergy and medical professionals. Doctors and other health care

professionals who are accused of violating their oath and patient

trust, who may have crossed over that thin line, tend to lose their

licenses; and many even go to jail.

Some, unfortunately, get away with overt sexual impropriety for

years. Some are never caught or even accused. Some are even doing it

today. It may have even happened to you.

This story happened to a very good friend of mine. While I trust my

friend and gave testimony in court on his character, there are always

those lingering doubts. Did he violate this trust behind the closed

doors of an examination room?

Perhaps the only people who know the real truth are the two people

that were actually there. One went to jail and lost

everything...professional license, family, and savings account. The

other bought a new house and car with the malpractice settlement. If

he truly did the things he was accused of, then justice was served.

If he was the victim of false accusations, then that person is going

to have a lot of explaining to do in front of God someday.

The medical encounter is a very sacred relationship. Patients not

only bare their bodies, but they bare their souls. It is a privilege

to care for others, but it is also an awesome responsibility.

After my friend went to jail, I was so demoralized that I decided to

leave the practice of medicine and go back to full-time medical

education. This event changed me as well. I have returned to clinical

practice again, after several years as a university professor, partly

because I grew weary of whiny 30-year-old masters students, but

mostly because I really missed clinical practice. I don't mind the

whining of two-year olds.

Patients can misinterpret examination components if the medical

provider does not explain what they are doing, and why. For instance,

a breast examination includes expressing the nipple for discharge or

blood. If you don't tell the patient you are going to squeeze their

nipple (and why), you could be in big trouble.

In my recent Blog about " patients as sheep " , Carolyn wrote about her

experience with her endocrinologist. He insisted that she be disrobed

above the waist, in a paper gown open in the front, for a thyroid

exam (neck). She also felt uncomfortable with the doctor's intimate

demeanor. She refused to disrobe on a subsequent visit.

Disrobing for a thyroid exam is not necessary. Carolyn listened to

that sixth sense that women possess when situations are not what they

should be. She stood up to this medical icon. Although she may not

know it, but Carolyn may have changed the way this endocrinologist

treats women in the future. She did not misinterpret those signals.

My friend was accused of being sexually inappropriate during a

seemingly-simple back examination for a work-related injury. I won't

delve into the complex accusations of this case, but the judge (not a

jury trial) felt that my friend did cross over the line, and used his

professional status to intimidate a patient for his own sexual needs.

My friend felt that he was just being thorough, and that he was set

up in some elaborate malpractice insurance scheme for money? The real

answers may never be known. In my heart, I felt he was innocent, but

I also know that he made some terrible mistakes in judgment. It was

his word against the patient, since he performed an intimate exam

without a nurse being present to chaperone.

He was sentenced to 7 years in prison. The patient (and her husband)

was subsequently awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in the

civil suit.

He has since completed his prison time and now works as a janitor at

a bank. While in prison, he developed prostate cancer. He has gone on

with his life, but a very different life than he imagined...a life

that changed during one twenty-minute appointment. He will never don

that white coat again.

A PA friend, now an attorney, explained it to me this way: You are

alone in an elevator with a woman. Just before the elevator door

opens to a crowded lobby, she rips open her blouse, smears her make-

up, and dishevels her hair. The door opens and she is screaming,

pointing an accusatory finger at you. Assuming that there is not a

surveillance camera in the elevator, you are going to have a

difficult time defending an attempted rape charge.

Could this same scenario happen in an examination room? You bet.

Patients have certainly been victimized by their doctors, and I

suspect there have been many doctors who have been victimized by

their patients. The problem with human medicine is that both parties

are human. Some are good; some are bad.

I used to appropriately hug my adult patients without thinking, like

the ones that just received some bad medical news. Hugs can heal as

well as drugs. The last adult person that I hugged in an examination

room was a crying man with his two-year old daughter. His wife, the

child's mother, was just killed a few days before. She was struck in

a crosswalk by a guy driving too fast while talking on a cell phone.

Working in pediatrics, I receive and give a lot of kid hugs. The

pediatric examination room is a safe venue since children are always

accompanied by parents, grandparents, and siblings. The only real

risk of kid hugs that I experience is the infectious disease

transmission. I truly love my job and I can't imagine what it would

be like to be falsely accused of sexual impropriety, or to lose my

license to practice medicine.

I don't know if my friend was guilty or not. He is my friend, so I

will just hug him anyway.

http://blogs.webmd.com/all-ears/2006/09/sexual-abuse-by-medical-professionals.ht\

ml

=====

[Guest guest]

I have to say I had the whole first child going to school angst last

year when daughter entered preK. Just general angst not distrust of

teacher angst. Her teacher then, 's for next year, is a hugger

and I love it. I trust her completely and have no concerns but I feel

bad for parents and kids for whom that same trust is broken. This

thing cuts both ways and is sad. I hope the story that started this

thread gets sorted out and whatever the truth is comes out.

>

> My kids were never alone with any doctor outside of when they were

> first born that is.

>

> Not saying we can't be too careful but I'm afraid of the other

> extreme which is where we are. What's really sad about this to me

is

> that my son Tanner's favorite teacher 4 years ago from 1st grade

used

> to pat him on the back or rub his head as she walked by which even

> then most considered a huge " no no " . She was very nurturing with

the

> kids and wouldn't hesitate to give the kids hugs -and they would hug

> her back. It wasn't just Tanner that loved her -all the children

> loved her. She was awesome -but the exception today. I have to ask

> teachers to please give Tanner a tap on the back or a pat on the

> head as they pass by him - as he loves the sensory input. Due to

law

> suits and allegations -teachers are so afraid to even touch a

child -

> no less hug them! I've been told this.. " afraid "

>

> As outraged as I or anyone would be against anyone that would abuse

a

> child -I'm also outraged by how sue crazy so many people are. Some

> people are even afraid to try to save someone's life because if they

> do it wrong they can be sued which is why they actually had to

> create " good Samaritan " laws to protect those that help! How sick

is

> that?

> " Lawsuits have become commonplace in our society, so it is not

> surprising that some people fear taking actions to help people, even

> if it could save a life. Good intentions have sometimes not been

> rewarded. "

>

http://www.yumasun.com/opinion/people_41225___article.html/surprising_

aed.html

> or

>

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/153917/Woman_Sued_For_Good_Samar

itan_Act

>

> Even if you hurt someone that breaks into your home you can be sued.

> http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198988,00.html

>

> Honestly while I agree there may be many risks against our

children -

> abuse by pediatrician spending too long on a genital exam is low on

> the list of concerns to me. First of all as many pointed out who

> would leave thier preschool child alone during any medical exam?

> Higher on the list is that pediatricians and other doctors become

> afraid of spending too much time examining the patient for fear of

> any accusation whether it's true or false that can ruin their

career.

>

> Therapists and teachers -yes are alone -but pediatricians?!

> And let's not forget one career is already ruined prior to court.

> Dr. Mel Levine. What if he's innocent?

>

> Here's a letter about abuse by a pediatrician prior to the latest

> accusation. He better worry about those hugs today

> or 23 years from now (

>

> Friday, September 08, 2006

> Sexual Abuse by Medical Professionals

>

>

> Sexual abuse stories make headlines, especially when they involve

the

> clergy and medical professionals. Doctors and other health care

> professionals who are accused of violating their oath and patient

> trust, who may have crossed over that thin line, tend to lose their

> licenses; and many even go to jail.

>

> Some, unfortunately, get away with overt sexual impropriety for

> years. Some are never caught or even accused. Some are even doing it

> today. It may have even happened to you.

>

> This story happened to a very good friend of mine. While I trust my

> friend and gave testimony in court on his character, there are

always

> those lingering doubts. Did he violate this trust behind the closed

> doors of an examination room?

>

> Perhaps the only people who know the real truth are the two people

> that were actually there. One went to jail and lost

> everything...professional license, family, and savings account. The

> other bought a new house and car with the malpractice settlement. If

> he truly did the things he was accused of, then justice was served.

> If he was the victim of false accusations, then that person is going

> to have a lot of explaining to do in front of God someday.

>

> The medical encounter is a very sacred relationship. Patients not

> only bare their bodies, but they bare their souls. It is a privilege

> to care for others, but it is also an awesome responsibility.

>

> After my friend went to jail, I was so demoralized that I decided to

> leave the practice of medicine and go back to full-time medical

> education. This event changed me as well. I have returned to

clinical

> practice again, after several years as a university professor,

partly

> because I grew weary of whiny 30-year-old masters students, but

> mostly because I really missed clinical practice. I don't mind the

> whining of two-year olds.

>

> Patients can misinterpret examination components if the medical

> provider does not explain what they are doing, and why. For

instance,

> a breast examination includes expressing the nipple for discharge or

> blood. If you don't tell the patient you are going to squeeze their

> nipple (and why), you could be in big trouble.

>

> In my recent Blog about " patients as sheep " , Carolyn wrote about her

> experience with her endocrinologist. He insisted that she be

disrobed

> above the waist, in a paper gown open in the front, for a thyroid

> exam (neck). She also felt uncomfortable with the doctor's intimate

> demeanor. She refused to disrobe on a subsequent visit.

>

> Disrobing for a thyroid exam is not necessary. Carolyn listened to

> that sixth sense that women possess when situations are not what

they

> should be. She stood up to this medical icon. Although she may not

> know it, but Carolyn may have changed the way this endocrinologist

> treats women in the future. She did not misinterpret those signals.

>

> My friend was accused of being sexually inappropriate during a

> seemingly-simple back examination for a work-related injury. I won't

> delve into the complex accusations of this case, but the judge (not

a

> jury trial) felt that my friend did cross over the line, and used

his

> professional status to intimidate a patient for his own sexual

needs.

>

> My friend felt that he was just being thorough, and that he was set

> up in some elaborate malpractice insurance scheme for money? The

real

> answers may never be known. In my heart, I felt he was innocent, but

> I also know that he made some terrible mistakes in judgment. It was

> his word against the patient, since he performed an intimate exam

> without a nurse being present to chaperone.

>

> He was sentenced to 7 years in prison. The patient (and her husband)

> was subsequently awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in the

> civil suit.

>

> He has since completed his prison time and now works as a janitor at

> a bank. While in prison, he developed prostate cancer. He has gone

on

> with his life, but a very different life than he imagined...a life

> that changed during one twenty-minute appointment. He will never don

> that white coat again.

>

> A PA friend, now an attorney, explained it to me this way: You are

> alone in an elevator with a woman. Just before the elevator door

> opens to a crowded lobby, she rips open her blouse, smears her make-

> up, and dishevels her hair. The door opens and she is screaming,

> pointing an accusatory finger at you. Assuming that there is not a

> surveillance camera in the elevator, you are going to have a

> difficult time defending an attempted rape charge.

>

> Could this same scenario happen in an examination room? You bet.

>

> Patients have certainly been victimized by their doctors, and I

> suspect there have been many doctors who have been victimized by

> their patients. The problem with human medicine is that both parties

> are human. Some are good; some are bad.

>

> I used to appropriately hug my adult patients without thinking, like

> the ones that just received some bad medical news. Hugs can heal as

> well as drugs. The last adult person that I hugged in an examination

> room was a crying man with his two-year old daughter. His wife, the

> child's mother, was just killed a few days before. She was struck in

> a crosswalk by a guy driving too fast while talking on a cell phone.

>

> Working in pediatrics, I receive and give a lot of kid hugs. The

> pediatric examination room is a safe venue since children are always

> accompanied by parents, grandparents, and siblings. The only real

> risk of kid hugs that I experience is the infectious disease

> transmission. I truly love my job and I can't imagine what it would

> be like to be falsely accused of sexual impropriety, or to lose my

> license to practice medicine.

>

> I don't know if my friend was guilty or not. He is my friend, so I

> will just hug him anyway.

> http://blogs.webmd.com/all-ears/2006/09/sexual-abuse-by-medical-

professionals.html

>

> =====

>