rmc obgyn :: Article CreatorOBGYN Now Faces 53 Misconduct Claims That He Crossed Line With Patients
CHICAGO (CBS) – A west suburban OBGYN has been stripped of his state medical license, as now 53 people allege he crossed the line while offering care.
Dr. Vernon Cannon was an OBGYN at the DuPage Medical Group - now known as Duly Health and Care.
In January, we first reported on Dr. Cannon as allegations and lawsuits piled up claiming he would meet with patients while intoxicated. On Wednesday, a different group of former patients now alleged a different kind of violation.
CBS 2's Chris Tye heard from an attorney for Cannon for the first time Wednesday. Women have alleged Cannon would disrobe in front of them – and some say he asked to go on dates and set them up with friends.
They said Cannon's alleged actions were a breach that rattled their faith in the medical system.
"I do have tattoos on my lower abdomen, and that's how our conversation went – and what medical personnel would be taking off their shirt and showing their patients all their tattoos? Where he would unbutton his shirt, took off his lab jacket, and proceed to show me that he was fully tatted?" said Christina Deeke, who was a patient and worked in the same office Dr. Cannon. "I was scared. I was scared."
Elizabeth Godella was a teenager when she says it happened to her.
"To a certain extent where I'm like, he's a doctor. Being a minor too, I was scared," Godella said. "Commenting on tattoos that I have, which then – fast-forward to now, he is now undressed, showing me his tattoos."
Suburban OBGYN accused of crossing the line while offering care 02:26
Deeke and Godella are two of what are now 53 patients claiming misconduct by the OBGYN that first made news in January - over allegations he was inebriated on the job.
In 2019, Cannon was put on a leave of absence from his post at Duly Health and Care in Wheaton. But even after that leave, patient Amy Fuentes believes he was drunk while delivering her baby.
"His eyelids were very droopy, and he was moving very slow," Fuentes said. "It was really disturbing for me."
Cannon has since left the practice - and been banned from practicing medicine.
Not long after the first suits were file, one of the plaintiffs was part of a disciplinary hearing with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which stripped him of Cannon medical license "due to unprofessional conduct."
In one of the prior cases, a former patient claims she knew something was off immediately when she went in for a routine checkup.
"When I had met with him the apportionment was brief as in like five minutes," said Karin Stortz, former patient. "Dilated pupils, slurred speech, wasn't making good eye contact it didn't seem like I was even really there."
Duly Health and Care, which employed Cannon for 13 years, released this statement:
"The actions alleged are unacceptable and inconsistent with Duly's mission to provide outstanding patient care…. Duly vehemently denies that it knowingly allowed Dr. Cannon to engage in misconduct, and Dr. Cannon has not had any patient contact at Duly since he departed the practice in 2020."
Cannon has not been criminally charged.
"In terms of criminality, it's kind of a gray area," said attorney Evan Smola, "because it's not conventional sexual assault."
Late Wednesday, Robert Larsen, an attorney for the former doctor, issued a statement: "As a Defendant in a medically related claim, Dr. Cannon is limited by HIPAA in what he can say in response. Suffice it to say we deny these allegations, and intend to defend all of these claims. When we do we believe the true facts will come out."
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Chris Tye
Chris Tye is a reporter and fill-in anchor at CBS2 Chicago.
Finding The Right OB/GYN
When you go in to visit a doctor or health care specialist, it's usually for one of two reasons: 1) you need a routine checkup or 2) you have particular symptoms and/or pain you need help with.
So, before you start looking for an OB/GYN, you may want to decide what you need them to do.
Are you looking for someone who can do regular checkups (like a pap smear) or do you need a specialist? Are you thinking about getting pregnant or are you post-menopausal? Since different providers have more or less experience in different areas, having an idea of what you need from them can guide you in finding the right specialist for you.
What are my personal preferences?
It's important to be honest with yourself in what you expect from your provider and what you are comfortable with so you can find a good match. Would you prefer to see a male or female doctor? How far are you willing to travel to visit your doctor? If you are having a baby, is there a facility you prefer to use, or would you like to know about midwife services?
Where do I start my search?
There is definitely more than one way to look for an OB/GYN depending on what you need. You could ask friends, family members, or your current health care provider for recommendations.
You could look at those physicians listed in your insurance provider directory, you could do a search online in your area, or, if you are considering pregnancy, you could begin with finding a hospital you like and a doctor based on those who practice in that hospital.
What is the doctor's practice style?
There are as many different styles of doctors as there are patients. You need to find a caregiver that you can easily talk to and ask questions of. Also, think about some of these other questions:
Do they take the time needed to explain things clearly and completely to you? What is their attitude about reproductive issues? Does the provider impose his/her own beliefs or give you a professional medical perspective? Do they work well with their nurses? Are they familiar with the most recent industry changes? Will the doctor respect your medical wishes? How does their office or practice function?
Practical considerations like office hours and other policies can affect your needs. Here are some questions to keep in mind during your search and evaluation:
What are their hours, including after-hours policy? Who covers for them if they are unavailable at a particular time? What health insurance do they accept? If there is an emergency, how quickly can the doctor return your call? Do you have a hard time scheduling an appointment? While this list of questions to consider may seem overwhelming, don't worry about answering all of them. Pick out the few that really matter to you and focus on those.
Much of the process of getting to know a particular doctor or practice does take some time, but you will find a physician who is right for you.
Checklist: What Should You Look for in Your Health Provider?
Do they take the time needed to explain things clearly and completely to you?
What is their attitude about reproductive issues? Does the physician impose his/her own beliefs or give you a professional medical perspective? Do they work well with their nurses? Are they familiar with the most recent industry changes? Will the doctor respect your medical wishes? What are their hours, including after-hours policy? Who covers for them if they are unavailable at a particular time? What health insurance do they accept? If there is an emergency, how quickly can the doctor return your call? Do you have a hard time scheduling an appointment? Prominent Doylestown OB/GYN Suspended From Doylestown Hospital
DOYLESTOWN, PA — A prominent Doylestown OB/GYN physician, who has delivered thousands of local babies, has been suspended from Doylestown Hospital.
In a statement and in an FAQ posted on its website, Doylestown Health confirmed that on August 4 the hospital's medical staff leadership "took the serious action of suspending the clinical privileges of Dr. Scott Dinesen."
The hospital did not say why Dr. Dinesen's clinical privileges were suspended. It did say that all other providers under Dinesen and Associates continue to have clinical privileges at Doylestown Hospital and that Dinesen and Associates in the Pavilion remains open.
In its statement, the hospital said it is "aware of recent misinformation spreading in our community about our maternity, labor and delivery services. The VIA Maternity Center is not closing," the statement says. "Doylestown Hospital provides the highest-quality services to women of all ages in our community. We are not closing any of these services."
In an email sent to his current and former patients, Dinesen announced this week that after 28 years of providing care at Doylestown Hospital he would be transitioning "to become affiliated with Jefferson Abington Hospital and will perform deliveries and gynecologic surgeries at Jefferson Abington Hospital to better serve our patient's needs."
A spokesperson for Dinesen & Associates responded to the Patch by saying, "Dr. Dinesen has been a pillar of the Doylestown community for over three decades, known for providing excellent, high-quality care to his patients. This is evidenced by the thousands of women who have trusted Dinesen & Associates with their care. We are deeply surprised and concerned by the comments made by Doylestown Hospital and have contacted them to express our concern.
"We cannot comment on the specifics of this situation because it is still under review and there is currently only an interim measure in place regarding Dr. Dinesen's hospital privileges during this period of review," said the spokesperson. "We respect the integrity of the process and would hope that the hospital would do the same. Our number one priority is the continual high-quality care and support of our patients."
Doylestown Health would not comment further on the suspension except to say that the "specifics of the actions taken by Doylestown Hospital's Medical Staff Leadership are strictly confidential according to protections afforded to all healthcare providers as part of a peer review process that is prescribed within Pennsylvania Law. This confidentiality is also dictated by the hospital's own bylaws and regulations, and of course, includes strict confidentiality where patient privacy matters are concerned."
To assist with continuity of care, Doylestown Hospital is asking patients to visit doylestownhealth.Org/obgyn for a complete listing of obstetrics and gynecological service providers who maintain full clinical privileges at Doylestown Hospital and are available to meet any healthcare needs.
"Doylestown Hospital was founded in 1923 to provide safe, quality emergency and maternity services. These programs continue to be a core component of our mission – and we are proud that they will continue to be as we enter the next century of care"
Individuals with questions may email communityhotline@dh.Org or call 215.345.2153.
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