MANDEL: Oshawa doctor's medical licence revoked for sexually abusing longtime patient
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She first went to Dr. Kevin Corless when she was 17 and he had just opened his practice.
For the next 36 years, she confided in the Oshawa family doctor and counted on him to help her deal with her mental health and relationship challenges.
She regarded him as a father figure.
But her doctor abused that trust – and he’s now been stripped of his licence to practise in Ontario for the “devasting and lasting harm he inflicted.”
In a recent decision, the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Tribunal found Corless violated physician-patient boundaries and engaged in a financial, social, emotional and ultimately sexual relationship with the patient, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.
“Dr. Corless’ selfish actions inflicted harm on Patient A’s emotional security and self-esteem,” the panel wrote.
Doctor’s inappropriate conduct endured for 11 years
According to the decision, it was 2012 and Patient A was about 42 years old when her doctor’s inappropriate conduct began and it lasted until she stopped seeing him in the summer of 2023.
His behaviour included telling her she was his best friend and he loved her; sharing details of his personal life and exchanging personal photos, lending her money and co-signing her lease; going to her apartment, for which he had a key, and getting into her bed with her “on many occasions.”
A forensic examination of her phone showed there was extensive communication between them: from August 2017 to December 2023 there were 6,475 text messages, 39 direct emails, 25 emails from Corless notifying Patient A of e-transfers sent to her account in 2018, and 11 phone calls.
In July 2023, when Patient A was having difficulties in her own relationship, the decision says Corless booked her a hotel room so she’d have somewhere to stay and gave her his credit card to pay for it. He then came to her room to help her get settled.
“They then engaged in sexual intercourse,” the decision states.
Patient reported doctor to CPSO in 2023
In October 2023, the reported her doctor to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
When an investigation began, the decision says Corless failed to provide any “substantive” responses to the allegations or to the college’s direct questions.
The hearing heard Corless didn’t contest allegations of sexual abuse, disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional conduct; and failure to respond to the College’s investigative inquiries.
Under the Health Professions Act, sexual intercourse between a doctor and patient is considered sexual abuse and leads to automatic revocation of a physician’s licence. The tribunal also chastised him for crossing professional boundaries before then.
“All physicians are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with their patients. Adherence to this obligation is essential because of the power imbalance and the fiduciary relationship that exists when a physician provides care and treatment to a patient. Failure to maintain boundaries can cloud judgment and compromise safe and effective care in the best interests of the patient,” the ruling states.
“The egregious nature of Dr. Corless’ misconduct, and the devastating and lasting harm that he inflicted on Patient A, is reflected in her victim impact statement. She describes how she saw Dr. Corless as a father figure, and how he violated her trust. She describes the effect of that violation on her physical and mental health, including nightmares, sleep disturbance, feelings of low self-worth, social withdrawal, and a continuing mistrust of physicians.”
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Disgraced doctor earned degree in Ireland
You would think he would know better – he is reportedly the father of seven daughters.
The disgraced doctor, who earned his degree in Ireland, was also ordered to reimburse the college for almost $18,000 in counselling provided to the patient and pay $6,000 to cover the costs of the hearing.
Better news is that Corless signed an undertaking not to treat patients anywhere ever again.
“The clear message to Dr. Corless, Patient A, the profession and the public (is) that there is zero tolerance for doctors who abuse their power and privilege by engaging in sexual abuse,” the decision states.