College of physicians says sexual misconduct not tolerated

Victims urged to file complaint with bureau

Sexual harassment allegations concerning a local physician have thrust the professional order of Quebec physicians into the spotlight to clarify its zero-tolerance policy on sexual misconduct.

The Collège des médecins du Québec is calling on those who have “suffered such harm to file a complaint” with its investigation bureau, it said in a statement Monday.

The Collège wants to correct a misperception that harassment claims are not investigated, officials said. No form of harassment or sexual misconduct is tolerated between a physician and a patient or a member of the medical team, including a trainee, officials said.

A respiratory therapist filed a $360,000 sexual harassment lawsuit against a doctor at the McGill University Health Centre’s Montreal General Hospital last week. The woman, who cannot be named because of a publication ban, said she had no choice but to hire a lawyer because her complaints were ignored.

According to claims in the lawsuit, which have not been proven in court, Richard Robinson harassed her from 2014 to 2016 with more than 200 explicit sex messages and lewd comments at work, and tried to caress her in the operating room, offered her thousands of dollars to sleep with him and sometimes followed her after work.

Despite complaining to her direct superiors, the hospital union and human resources and, finally, to the MUHC director of professional services, the sexting abuse continued, the suit said.

In her suit, the victim said her union suggested she take a medical leave of absence. They told her they could file a grievance, but that the Collège des médecins rarely investigates.

In fact, Robinson is under investigation for misconduct by the Collège and is expected to be called before the Collège disciplinary committee in early 2018. The investigation was launched after the victim’s lawyer, Jean-Pierre Ménard, launched a complaint with the professional order in February 2016 about Robinson.

According to provisions in the Quebec Professional Code, a physician convicted of sexual misconduct toward a patient can face a medical licence suspension for up to five years.

In an internal memo to staff, Ewa Sidorowicz, MUHC director of professional services, said she “acted with lighting speed” once the woman complained.

The suit, however, alleges Robinson ignored at least two warnings in 2014 from hospital officials, including Sidorowicz, to end his inappropriate behaviour, and that the victim’s colleagues and superiors were aware of the ongoing harassment.

Not only was she continually harassed, but on occasion, the suit claims, she had to work closely with her alleged abuser during medical procedures.

Robinson is currently working in the intensive care unit of the Montreal General Hospital.