Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island, which we will continue to update as the series progresses.

Key fact: The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline has one part-time investigator. Also, after complaints from doctors that the state board is too zealous in disciplining doctors, a special House commission was created to study the board. Recommendations are pending.

Researching a doctor

  • Accurate records of sexual abuse accusations against doctors are not always easily accessible. In Rhode Island, the best chance of finding problems is to search the disciplinary actions posted by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Please note that license search results typically include all public disciplinary actions, not just those involving sexual misconduct, and can sometimes include vague language. Also, some states deal with some disciplinary issues privately; private board orders are not included.

Where to file a complaint

Quoted

“We have an entire community of professionals who have gone through a decade and a half of education and training," and yet they "are really being treated with a heavy hand by the [board] and almost – this word is not mine – a sort of ‘witch hunt.'”

— Rhode Island state Rep. Michael Chippendale, who called for creation of a commission to study doctor discipline, as quoted in the Providence Journal.

Highlighted case

Dr. Taranath Shetty

Nineteen women and girls accused Shetty of sexual assault, according to a news report, but the pediatric neurologist was convicted of only three misdemeanors and acquitted of 15 felony charges. He received a two-year suspended sentence.

In one case it was alleged that Shetty had sexually abused a patient for 10 years, beginning when she was 13. She committed suicide in 1999, at age 23. He was not charged in that case because the statute of limitations had expired.

As police were investigating that case, they found more patients who said they had been molested. The misdemeanor convictions involved two former patients who testified Shetty had inappropriately touched their breasts.

During the trial, the judge shielded jurors from hearing testimony that Shetty had allegedly sexually assaulted two former patients he had taken to his home, according to a news report.

Shetty, who also was licensed in Massachusetts, had his Rhode Island license suspended in 2000.

Shetty has not yet responded to a request for comment.

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