A doctor accused of abusing patients with 'unnecessary' fake exams practiced in Framingham
WOBURN — A doctor who practiced rheumatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Framingham-based Charles River Medical Associates has voluntarily surrendered his license as multiple women say they were abused by him, including one who filed a malpractice lawsuit late last month in Middlesex County Superior Court.
A woman, identified only as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit on Sept. 29 against Dr. Derrick Todd, a rheumatologist at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital and Framingham-based Charles River Medical Associates. The case is impounded, meaning elements of the case are unavailable for public inspection.
But Stacey Pietrowicz, an attorney with Boston-based Sugarman and Sugarman, P.C., who represents the woman who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement sent to the Daily News that she is "not alone."
"This lawsuit will expose the facts surrounding the intimidation and sexual harassment of female patients, unnecessary and inappropriate breast and pelvic exams, sometimes during non-business hours, and other abuses he (Todd) committed," Pietrowicz said.
Pietrowicz said Todd temporarily gave up his medical license while he is being investigated by the Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) and others.
Charles River states it did not receive complaints about Dr. Todd
According to BORIM's physician database, Todd voluntarily agreed to stop practicing on Sept. 5. Allegations include "lack of privileges at (a) health care facility, improper choice of treatment" and a non-specific gynecology related allegation.
Dr. Joe Harrington, a medical director at Charles River Medical Associates, told the Daily News in a phone call last week that the matter is under investigation.
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"Patient care and treatment is at the highest concern to Charles River Medical Associates... we have no comment at this time," he said.
Rich Copp, of Issues Management Group, a Boston-based strategic communications firm, followed up last Friday by sending the Daily News a statement on behalf of Harrington:
"Dr. Derrick Todd saw some of his patients at Charles River Medical Associates beginning in 2010," Harrington said in the statement. "At no time, up until and including his last day at our Framingham office on July 26th of this year, did we receive, nor were we made aware of, any complaints from patients, staff, or any other physicians about inappropriate conduct."
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Harrington's statement continued: "We are in the process of communicating with patients and providing them with an opportunity to report any concerns they have about care they received from Dr. Todd. In addition, we are offering our full cooperation to local and state authorities investigating this matter. We are disappointed and saddened by these disturbing allegations. Nothing is more important to Charles River Medical Associates than the health and safety of those patients who receive care at our practice."
According to Todd's LinkedIn profile, his employment ended with Charles River Medical Associates this month.
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Todd could not be reached for comment. But his attorney, Ingrid Martin, sent a statement to WCVB-TV, a Daily News media partner.
"Over the course of his career, he has been an outstanding rheumatologist and internist," Martin said in the statement. "To the extent that anyone is making a claim against him, Dr. Todd believes that he has done nothing wrong and will defend against it vigorously."
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Andrew Meyer, of Lubin & Meyer, P.C., a Boston law firm specializing in medical malpractice, told the Daily News that his firm is moving forward with six cases, although calls keep coming in. Meyer said Todd allegedly performed gynecological exams on women despite his status as a rheumatologist — a doctor who treats musculoskeletal disease and autoimmune disorders.
"Patients should go with their gut if these things seem wrong," Meyer said. "It's important to report these kinds of behaviors because they may be entitled to compensation and it could protect other patients from this."
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In a statement to the Daily News, Charles Morris, chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said an investigation into Todd was launched after the Boston hospital received two anonymous complaints. Todd was subsequently placed on administrative leave once the hospital learned more, and his contract was terminated after an initial investigation.
Another investigation is ongoing.
"As our investigation continues, we have reached out to his current and former patients to offer information and resources, including establishing a dedicated team of specifically trained patient and family relations professionals, as well as offering clinicians to speak with about any concerns or next steps regarding their care," Morris said.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Todd became began working at Charles River in August 2010 and at Brigham and Women's a year earlier.
Charles River Medical Associates provides primary care physicians to residents throughout MetroWest. It has more than 30 locations spread throughout 11 communities, including Framingham, Holliston, Hudson, Marlborough, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Southborough, Sudbury, Wellesley and Westborough.
"We deeply regret the harm this has caused to our patients and their families," Morris said in his statement. "Right now, our focus is on our patients and caring for all of their needs, with the hope of ultimately restoring their trust in health care."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Medical malpractice lawsuit accuses local doctor of abusing patients
