The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in Canada is investigating orthopedic surgeon Bill Smyth, MD, after reports of sexual harassment and "threatening" behavior toward nurses, The Star reports.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Dr. Smyth is a physician at West Parry Sound Health Centre in Ontario, Canada. Center nurses alleged he sexual harassed them and made crude gestures with an amputated toe.
2. While the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario does not comment on ongoing investigations, a spokeswoman said there is a compelling public interest into the investigation.
3. Six nurses filed claims against Dr. Smyth in December 2017 after allegedly experiencing patterns of harassment. Dr. Smyth joined West Parry Sound Health Centre after losing his privileges at another hospital because of the "poisoned environment" he caused among physicians and nurses.
4. The hospital did not disclose if disciplinary actions have been taken. It is undetermined if the hospital's board of governors received Dr. Smyth's conduct review.
5. Other allegations against Dr. Smyth include hitting and kicking nurses in the operating room or as they walked and refusing to provide patients' medical information to other medical staff providing care to that patient.
The nurses have referred to the operating environment Dr. Smyth creates as "sickening."