Doc who showed nude selfies to patients loses licence for 14 months
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A highly regarded Georgetown doctor who sexually abused 11 female patients by showing them his nude selfies has lost his licence for 14 months, a College of Physicians and Surgeons disciplinary committee ruled.
The committee concluded last year that Dr. Nigel Mark Phipps committed professional misconduct by revealing the explicit images on his cellphone to 11 unsuspecting patients, between August and early October 2014 — and also to three female office workers — while recounting a joke from an Arizona golf trip.
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Phipps was also ordered to reimburse patients who required therapy after the sexual abuse and accept ongoing monitoring of all professional encounters with patients and undergo psychiatric treatment.
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“Dr. Phipps recognizes the severity of his misconduct and is genuinely remorseful about his actions and harm caused to his patients, his family and his colleagues in the community,” the decision stated. “He described the guilt, shame and turmoil his actions have caused as much more severe than any of the personal events he and his family have dealt with over the years.”
His sexual abuse “took multiple forms and involved multiple patients. He showed various naked photographs of himself to 11 patients, was sexually aroused during clinical visits with two patients,” the decision stated.
“He made remarks of a sexual nature to four patients, and was engaged in touching of a sexual nature of one patient. He also showed one of the photographs to three of his office staff.”
Phipps, 59, testified he was making a joke by exposing the photos while telling a story about a funny photo taken during his vacation. He adamantly denied there was any sexual intention or gratification in his conduct.
The patients, whose identities are protected by a publication ban, testified Phipps bragged about being well endowed and that he leaned against them inappropriately during examinations.
The patients said they’ve lost trust in male doctors, men and others “because of a pervasive fear and vulnerability,” the committee stated.
Phipps said he was depressed and drinking excessively because his marriage was troubled and his father was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
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