Doctor allowed to practice again — with conditions

An Edmonton family doctor who sexually assaulted a female patient and a nurse has been allowed to return to work under certain restrictions.

Dr. Ismail Taher, 40, can practise medicine again as long as he has a chaperone when seeing female patients, participates in a monitoring program and works with other doctors who know his discipline history, according to a ruling from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

“Dr. Taher’s proven conduct was very serious and repugnant for a member of the medical profession,” the college’s hearing tribunal wrote in its report, which was completed Oct. 10 last year but not made public until this month.

“The tribunal considered that sanctions must be assessed not only based on Dr. Taher’s individual circumstances but also based on the need for public confidence in the medical profession.”

An occupational assessment of Taher conducted last year found he was fit to practise and a low risk to reoffend.

Before the ruling, Taher had not worked as a doctor since voluntarily surrendering his medical licence in May 2015.

He had been found guilty in court of sexually assaulting an 18-yearold woman during an August 2013 examination in a Sherwood Park clinic. The woman, who had concerns about a nose piercing, testified Taher touched her buttocks and massaged her breasts during the visit.

About a year later, he was found guilty of twice sexually assaulting a nurse at a north-side clinic in June 2013, by brushing her breast and later by grabbing her breast and then pinching her backside.

He was exonerated of another charge of sexual assault on a clinic manager, but found guilty of physically assaulting her.

Taher was sentenced to a year of probation for his first conviction. For the subsequent convictions, he received a 30-day intermittent jail sentence and two years of probation.

Though Taher pleaded not guilty to the allegations during his criminal proceedings, he admitted to the incidents at his college hearing.

The tribunal suspended his licence for 18 months, but gave him credit for the time he was away from medicine. Three months of the suspension have been held in abeyance and could be applied if Taher fails to adhere to the college’s conditions.

He must also find a senior physician to serve as a mentor, and employ a workplace monitor.

The tribunal also ordered Taher to pay more than $17,000 to cover the college’s costs for investigating and holding the hearing.

Taher, who is working at a southside clinic, could not be reached for comment.

Dr. Taher’s proven conduct was very serious and repugnant for a member of the medical profession