Toronto Gynecologist Given a 4-Month Suspension for Dishonourable Conduct
A Toronto gynecologist, Dr. David Gerber, had his medical licence suspended for four months in early March 2023 after a regulatory hearing. Gerber, who runs Meridia Medical in midtown Toronto, pleaded no contest to allegations from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) that he engaged in disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional conduct in his care and treatment of 10 patients over the course of more than a decade.
According to a statement of facts Gerber does not contest, he failed to ensure that patients fully understood the procedures he was to perform and what they would involve, and when patients expressed pain and discomfort, he dismissed their concerns. The disciplinary tribunal also found that in some cases, Gerber made patients uncomfortable by making inappropriate comments about their appearance while conducting sensitive procedures. Gerber responded to the judgment by saying that even one patient who was displeased with the way he communicated with them was distressing and called for introspection.
The CPSO regulates medical practice in Ontario and issues licences to physicians and surgeons. Gerber’s suspension and reprimand came after three patients filed a civil suit against him and filed complaints with the CPSO. Although the CPSO does not make public how many complaints a doctor has been the subject of, Gerber had previously been cautioned in 2018 concerning his communication with patients and sensitivity to patient discomfort during examinations.
Along with the allegations made by former patients, the hearing also addressed claims that Gerber engaged in disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional conduct with respect to inspections of Meridia Medical. The college was unable to complete two surprise inspections, and Gerber denied the assessor entry into his office in the first instance. When the college representative revisited about two weeks later, Gerber stated that they could remain onsite but could not speak with any of his staff or patients and could not go into his operating or procedure rooms.
Gerber was required to attend an ethics and boundaries course and pay $6,000 to the college. The disciplinary tribunal accepted the recommendation for penalty made by both CPSO prosecutors and Gerber’s lawyers. Once agreed upon, the details of the penalty were negotiated before the hearing. Allegations of incompetence and failure to maintain a standard of practice that had been put forward by the college were withdrawn.
Gerber is no longer the medical director of Meridia Medical Group, and a new medical director has been appointed. The college found that Gerber was not fulfilling his responsibilities with due diligence, requiring that the premises appoint a new medical director.
Conclusion
The case against David Gerber demonstrates the importance of communication and sensitivity towards patients in the medical profession. Doctors should not dismiss patient concerns and must maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Patients put their trust and health in the hands of medical practitioners, and they expect high standards of care and treatment.
Gerber’s case highlights the CPSO’s commitment to ensuring that medical professionals adhere to strict codes of conduct, and that patients are protected from negligent and unprofessional behaviour. The CPSO will continue to investigate complaints against medical practitioners and impose penalties where necessary to uphold the integrity of the medical profession.
