Ep 26: Trusted, Titled and Toxic
Description
When “trusted” turns toxic. In this episode, Shannen and Nyleen dig into the Washington State case of an OB-GYN whose exam room conduct sparked years of complaints, multiple lawsuits, and a formal Statement of Charges by the Washington Department of Health. We unpack how warning signs were minimized as “just the doctor being the doctor,” what “Active – Pending Enforcement Action” really means for patients, and why credentialing must look beyond a license that appears “clean.”
What’s inside
- A timeline of red flags (2005–2024) and how institutional shrugging enabled harm
- Allegations outlined by the WA DOH Statement of Charges: boundary violations, sexualized comments, humiliation of patients, and staff concerns
- The credentialing view: why “Active” ≠ safe, and how MSPs should escalate “pending” cases
- Culture as a safety tool—and how to hold the line when pressure says “push the file”
- Patient/physician/MSP PSAs you can act on today
Important note: The conduct discussed consists of allegations drawn from public filings and reporting. The physician’s Washington license status at the time of recording is Active – Pending Enforcement Action. Everyone is entitled to due process; our focus is on systems, patient safety, and credentialing accountability.
PSA
- Patients: Check license status, ask questions, and report uncomfortable encounters.
- Physicians: Your loyalty is to patients—speak up, document, and support safe culture.
- MSPs/CVOs: Track “pending enforcement,” document patterns, and advocate for immediate safeguards.
Credentialing Chronicles—where compliance meets conversation, and receipts meet reform.
Resources Mentioned:
Verify your Nurses' Credentials:
https://www.nursys.com/
🔎 Verify Your Doctor’s Credentials
✔️ State-Specific Medical Board License Lookup:
Find your state’s board here:
https://www.fsmb.org/contact-a-state-medical-board/
✔️ Medicare Exclusions List (LEIE) – Check if your provider is federally excluded:
https://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp
✔️ Set Google Alerts on Your Doctor’s Name:
Create your own Google Alert here:
https://www.google.com/alerts
For Medical Staff Professional:
✔️ FSMB.org – Federation of State Medical Boards Physician Lookup:
https://www.fsmb.org/physician-license-lookup/
✔️ Hospital Websites:
Many hospitals have public directories listing credentialed medical staff. Look for a “Find a Doctor” or “Medical Staff Directory” page.
✔️ Set Google Alerts on Your Doctor’s Name:
Create your own Google Alert here:
https://www.google.com/alerts
🔎 Wanna know if your doctor is actually board certified?
Check for yourself right here:
👉 Verify a Plastic Surgeon
Because credentials do matter. 🩺✨
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