News & Politics - Gynecologist accused of molestation

migamoo · 06-04-2004, 10:13 PM

From here

Quote:

Gynecologist accused of molestation
Friday, June 4, 2004 Posted: 7:15 PM EDT (2315 GMT)

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- Dozens of women have sued a gynecologist, saying he performed unnecessary and painful surgeries, molested them and in some cases raped them in the exam room.

In 44 lawsuits, former patients say Dr. Charles Momah fondled their breasts and genitals, and frequently penetrated them with a vaginal ultrasound probe that gynecologists rarely use.

The lawsuits also allege Momah got the women hooked on heavy painkillers such as Vicodin, Percoset and morphine, and used their addiction to manipulate them, threatening to stop their prescriptions if they reported sexual abuse. He also told the women no one would believe the reports because they were drug addicts, according to the lawsuits.

Some women allege Momah even allowed his identical twin, Dr. Dennis Momah, to impersonate him and "examine" patients.

"Dr. Momah's Little Shop of Horrors" is what MiKell Bannach calls his Seattle clinic.

"God, how could I have been so stupid? He kept saying, 'You have to trust me,"' Bannach, 42, said in an interview with The Associated Press. Bannach's lawsuit alleges Momah molested her and botched her tubal ligation reversal surgery.

Charles Momah's attorney, David Allen, says his client is innocent and will fight the allegations. Both brothers are named in the lawsuits, but neither has been charged with any crime.

Charles Momah is no longer practicing. The state suspended his license in September, after a quick investigation into the rape complaints. The Health Department investigated his brother and cleared him of wrongdoing.

Two prosecutors have been investigating the case since October. Prosecution spokesman Dan Donohoe said his office is taking the case seriously, and he expects a decision on charges within a few weeks.

Momah, 47, grew up in Nigeria and trained there and in Canada. In 1993, after working in New York and Georgia, Momah moved to Washington state and opened clinics in two Seattle suburbs.

The women allege he used his size -- 6 feet, 2 inches and more than 300 pounds -- to intimidate them.

Daleena Rollins was happy to find a doctor who accepted her Medicaid coupons when she first visited Momah in 1995. But she said she could tell right away something was strange in his office.

She said the exam table was pushed into one corner of the room, so when she lay there she was boxed in by the doctor. She said Momah ripped open the paper vest she wore so she was totally naked, and performed a pelvic and breast exam on her simultaneously.

"You're raised your whole entire life from birth to trust the doctor," said Rollins, 32. "When it's a doctor, it's just different."

Rollins' recollection of Momah's exam style matches the descriptions in dozens of the women's civil lawsuits.

Rollins said she complained in writing about Momah to the state Department of Health, but never heard back. Several other women also say in court documents that they contacted the agency.

Health Department spokesman Tim Church said none of those complaints ever reached the agency until August 13, 2003. The agency investigated immediately, Church said, and suspended Momah's license on September 11. The department scheduled hearings on whether to take away Momah's license permanently, but that process is on hold until the criminal investigation ends.

Attempts to reach Momah were unsuccessful. His office phone number has been disconnected, and his home phone number rang unanswered. The house at his last known address in Bellevue appeared deserted, and no one answered the door there.

A man who answered the phone at his brother's apartment said Dennis Momah could not be reached there. He is still licensed to practice in the state.

This just makes me sick. It makes you wonder the reason why one would become a gynecologist in the first place.

Ashley

Katis · 06-04-2004, 10:54 PM

That is horrible. No wonder women get nervous about going to the gyno. These women were already in a vulnerable situation and he just took advantage of him. I'm also curious about the Dept. of Health's claims that they never received any of the complaints until Aug. Why would all of the ones written arrive in the same month? Seems unlikely.

migamoo · 06-04-2004, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katis
Why would all of the ones written arrive in the same month? Seems unlikely.

It's a conspiracy don't you know. No really, but that is a great question. It surely needs to be answered.

sick little jag · 06-06-2004, 02:46 AM

Oh my god. That is so horrible. I mean...it's so horrible sounding that you wouldn't ever want to believe a doctor could ever be capable of doing something like that.

But...aren't male gynecologists required to have female nurses observing when they perform exams to make sure nothing inappropriate happens? I know that I would never let a male doctor doing a gynecological exam do it without another woman in the room, that's for damn sure.

It's so unfortunate that these women were taken advantage of...especially since it seems like he was trying to get people into his office who were desperate enough for treatment they wouldn't not go to him just because he made them uneasy.

CrabbyCancer69 · 06-06-2004, 09:33 PM

That makes me wonder. Doctors are supposed to always have a nurse or assistant in there with them so things like this don't happen.

Cail · 06-06-2004, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrabbyCancer69
That makes me wonder. Doctors are supposed to always have a nurse or assistant in there with them so things like this don't happen.

It varies from state to state. Most doctors always have nurses present to protect their own hide in case of a lawsuit, but in some states it's not required. Patients cannot be denied it if they request it, though.

coolove · 06-07-2004, 07:09 PM

Sadly, I'm from that area and it hasn't stop. There have been more then 40 reports of sexual misconduct and that's not all. There are more women coming forward about other doctors questionable behavior.

Katis · 06-07-2004, 08:34 PM

I would never have gone to a male gyno in the first place. Having that kind of exam done by a woman is uncomfortable enough, I think. It really should be state law that a female nurse should be in the room when these exams occur.

migamoo · 06-08-2004, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katis
I would never have gone to a male gyno in the first place. Having that kind of exam done by a woman is uncomfortable enough, I think. It really should be state law that a female nurse should be in the room when these exams occur.

I don't know about other states but I think it's law in Maryland. Even if it's not law, most, if not all doctors who are male have female nurses in the room at the time of the exam. Even when a female is getting an ultrasound by a male tech, there is a female in the room. (I'm talking about companys than specialize in the radiology fields)

Ashley

SweetLisaLisa · 06-08-2004, 09:57 PM

When I was in the hospital for my heart surgery, I couldn't pick my nurses when I was in a coma. But when I was awake I would always want the female nurses.

lizparker1984 · 06-08-2004, 10:46 PM

state of alabama requires nurses with male gynos.. but it doesnt bother me either way...

**ROCKSTAR** · 08-22-2004, 12:54 AM

This is just sick. We can't be safe anywhere.

pacifierrocks · 08-22-2004, 01:42 AM

That's just horrible. Women are reluctant to go to gyno's in the first place,(at first) and hearing stories like this won't help any. I would never go see a male gyno. If i'm not dating you, you aint going near there.


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