Each state has its own set of statutes and regulations on licensing doctors, accommodating patients who wish to file complaints, and releasing information about physicians who have been subject to discipline and legal action. On this page, we’re sharing the key findings regarding Michigan, which we will continue to update as the series progresses.
Key fact: Up until 2014, the chair of the Michigan Board of Medicine had the authority to unilaterally end investigations of doctors. Rules now require that at least three board members agree to stop an investigation. Also, while the state board says that all its orders are public, many are vague and don’t detail the allegations.
“The entire time she was shaking and had tears running down her face, crying. You could see the embarrassment built up inside her, the shame, and the humility of having to deal with this situation and keep it hidden from people.”
— A police officer in Kalamazoo, reporting on his interview of a victim of a doctor who was accused of sexual misconduct with patients. The medical board put him on probation for a minimum of one day and a maximum of one year, saying evidence suggested his intent was innocent.
Dr. Richard D. Ferguson
In 2014, Ferguson pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct, intent to commit sexual penetration, for sexually assaulting a patient. He was sentenced to a minimum of 38 months in prison.
According to a news report, the victim had been sexually abused in her youth, and the doctor would repeatedly sexually assault her “to make her comfortable with her sexuality.”
The state Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery revoked Ferguson’s license in July 2015.
The AJC was unable to reach Ferguson for comment.
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