Blog
Ohio Medical Board Investigating Former Cleveland Clinic Surgeon over Rape Allegations
The Ohio Board of Medicine is investigating two alleged rapes by former Cleveland Clinic colorectal surgeon, Dr. Ryan Williams by subpoenaing Cleveland Clinic medical records for other procedures done by the surgeon in the same time period. The alleged rapes were brought to light by a January 5, 2018, USA Today article which stated that the Cleveland Clinic knew of at least two cases in which Dr. Williams was accused of raping patients but kept him on the staff while reaching a confidential settlement.
Williams is a colorectal surgeon accused in police reports by two women of anally raping them in 2008 and 2009. The details in the police reports are nothing short of shocking. The 2008 case involved patient Lachelle Duncan, who was receiving a rectal exam from Williams, the report said, when she jumped up and exclaimed the doctor had inserted his penis in her rectum and that she saw him holding it in his hand. Inconceivably, the subsequent police investigation did not result in criminal charges, but the Cleveland Clinic was obviously aware of the incident after they and Williams were sued by Ms. Duncan. A confidential settlement was reached and business continued as usual for both Williams and the Cleveland Clinic.
In February of 2009, just 10 months after the first incident, Kristin Fehr went to see Williams to have a hemorrhoid removed. During the visit, Williams brought her into an examination room alone, she told police, gave her two white pills and a cup of water and said she needed to take the pills immediately.
Fehr recalled groggily getting on the table and just as hazily leaving the medical center. Some years later, the memories of rape came flooding back for Ms. Fehr. Shortly thereafter, Fehr contacted the Cleveland Clinic’s ombudsman and said she was "overwhelmed by feelings of horror" and "terrified to leave my apartment much of the time" because of the awful memories. Fehr then went to the police and the cases were matched up as nearly identical.
There were several blunders by both the local police department and the Cleveland Clinic. Furthermore, the actions in sweeping the actions of this sick man by the Cleveland Clinic is despicable. The whole article is definitely worth a read and is sure to infuriate all readers.