Credentialing & Privileging | 03.18.20
Judge Recommends Revoking License of UCLA Doctor Accused of Sexually Assaulting Colleagues
by NAMSS Staff
Los Angeles Times (03/12/20) Dolan, Jack; Mejia, Brittny
According to Administrative Law Judge Thomas Heller, Dr. Guillermo Andres Cortes should have his medical license revoked for sexually assaulting a fellow physician while working at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Dr. Meena Zareh charged the cardiologist with forcibly kissing her, sticking his tongue in her mouth, and penetrating her vagina with his finger in a call room at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services' flagship hospital in November 2015. Zareh "proved by clear and convincing evidence" that Cortes assaulted her, according to Heller's a recent decision. His report further noted that a couple of other female physicians under Cortes' supervision also accused him of sexual assault. One said Cortes had sexual intercourse with her when she was drunk and unable to give consent. The other, who had consensual sex with Cortes, said he also raped her on several occasions. Cortes denies all charges. It now falls on the state medical board to either accept or reject Heller's proposed decision to strip Cortes' license. The board's other options include reducing the punishment or rejecting it entirely.
Read the full story from the Los Angeles Times.