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 Pennsylvania, which we will continue to update as the series progresses.
Key fact: Board orders on a number of doctors found to have sexually violated patients have been removed from the state licensing agency's website. The public must file written requests to obtain those orders.
“The appropriate penalty does not demand punishment, but education and an understanding of boundary parameters.”
— A Pennsylvania hearing examiner, explaining the decision to allow a doctor who fondled the breasts of two patients to continue practice if he takes a course in medical ethics.
The rheumatologist was convicted on 18 counts of indecent assault of female patients. Two of the victims said they believed they were targeted because they were vulnerable. Some testified that they tried to switch to a different physician in Tyma's practice but could not and were forced to return to him.
Among the former patients who testified was a woman who once counseled sexual assault victims; she said she didn’t go to police with her allegations until she learned of Tyma's arrest in 2011.
“I knew how bad it would be,” she said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
In March 2011, as the criminal case against Tyma was pending, his license was temporarily suspended, but he was reinstated with no restrictions in August 2011.
In March 2012, he was again temporarily suspended. Finally, following his conviction and sentencing to 60 days in jail, his license was revoked in late 2012.
The case is currently on appeal, Tyma’s attorney, Chris Eyster, told the AJC in an email. He said he believes they’ll be successful in getting the case appealed.
“In my professional opinion, his conviction was a travesty of justice and his counsel did not properly present his defense at trial,” Eyster wrote. “All of Dr. Tyma’s conduct here was done in the furtherance of appropriate medical treatment.”
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