If co-workers or employees accuse a Pennsylvania doctor or unlawful behavior in the workplace, he or she may risk a license suspension. A situation that remains ongoing in another state involves a physician who has been branded as a public health threat by the medical licensing board. The doctor has apparently practiced family medicine for more than 25 years.
Several people who worked with the general practitioner say she uttered terroristic threats against them in the workplace. She is also accused of using physical force to try to keep one particular employee from leaving the room. The workers who filed a complaint against the doctor say her threats were graphic, and threatened them with violence.
Officials say the doctor’s alleged threats against the workers caused fear that impeded their ability to carry out their work duties. The doctor’s license was suspended. She is also facing criminal charges in connection with the incident, and the doctor apparently turned herself in once the accusations surfaced.
There’s a difference (legally) between someone shouting at others during a moment of anger or frustration and someone issuing violent threats with the intention of intimidating another party or parties for the purpose of causing them harm. The latter is a serious accusation that must be proved in order for someone to be convicted of a crime. A medical licensing board, however, is an administrative body who can take disciplinary action against a physician in Pennsylvania or some other state if officials find that there is evidence that a doctor is placing patients, workers or the public in harm’s way. Any licensed professional accused of such behavior will want to rely on experienced legal counsel to defend against the accusations and to protect his or her license.
Source: People, “Ga. Doctor’s License Suspended After Alleged Threats to ‘Slit (Employees’) Throats’“, Elaine Aradillas, April 30, 2018