Dr. Paul Christopher — CCO Discipline Committee, 2021
Background
Dr. Paul Christopher became a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) in 1992. At the relevant time he practiced at Christopher Chiropractic (the “Clinic”) in Waterloo, Ontario.
Dr. Christopher's clinic at 885 Glasgow Street, Kitchener had previously been documented by Dr. Terry Polevoy as one of the licensed chiropractic offices in the Kitchener-Waterloo area that hosted Gabriele Sutton — a non-licensed complementary health practitioner — in 1998 and 1999. That documentation formed part of Dr. Polevoy's complaints to the College of Chiropractors of Ontario regarding the promotion of unregulated CAM practices by licensed professionals. See: Gabriele Sutton and the CAM Franchise Network.
The Allegations
The Notice of Hearing was dated July 15, 2020. The CCO alleged that during the period May–September 2018, at Christopher Chiropractic in Waterloo, Ontario, Dr. Christopher:
Allegation 1 — Sexual Abuse
Sexually abused a patient known as Patient A, contrary to subsection 51(l)(b.1) of the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Chiropractic Act.
Allegation 2 — Failure to Maintain Standards
Contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to maintain the standard of practice with respect to his treatment of and conduct towards Patient A, contrary to subsection 51(1)(c) and paragraph 1(2) of Ontario Regulation 852/93.
Allegation 3 — Verbal, Physical, and Psychological Abuse
Abused Patient A verbally and/or physically and/or psychologically and/or emotionally, contrary to subsection 51(l)(c) and paragraph 1(5) of Ontario Regulation 852/93.
Allegation 4 — Disgraceful and Dishonourable Conduct
Engaged in conduct that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional, contrary to subsection 51(l)(c) and paragraph 1(33) of Ontario Regulation 852/93.
Admitted Facts
Patient A was employed as a chiropractic assistant at the Clinic during the period May–September 2018. She was also a patient of Dr. Christopher, receiving chiropractic adjustments for migraines and pain in her left neck and shoulders.
During the period, Dr. Christopher:
- Made fun of Patient A in front of patients for being underweight, anxious, and depressed
- Sniffed her hair and moaned
- Asked her for details of her sex life with her former husband
- Told Patient A he would like to have sex with her and described the acts he would perform
- Told Patient A about the details of his sexual relationship with his wife
- Told Patient A about the sex lives of other female patients and commented on whether they were attractive and worthy of having sex with
- Said he would take her to Atlanta or Vegas for a chiropractic conference if she “played her cards right and played nice”
As a result of Dr. Christopher's conduct, Patient A became increasingly anxious and was emotionally and mentally distraught. Her last treatment from Dr. Christopher was September 27, 2018. She resigned her employment from the Clinic on October 5, 2018.
Dr. Christopher admitted all four allegations of professional misconduct freely and voluntarily.
Penalty and Costs
Additional penalty terms:
- Two months of the suspension to be suspended if conditions were satisfactorily completed by December 1, 2021
- Peer assessment at his own expense within six months of returning to practice
- Reimbursement to CCO of funding provided to Patient A under s.85.7 of the Health Professions Procedural Code
- Results of proceedings to be recorded in the public Register and published in the CCO Annual Report
- Costs of $15,000 payable to the CCO by December 31, 2021
Dr. Christopher waived his right to appeal the decision of the Discipline Committee.
Panel
Mr. Robert MacKay (Chair, Public Member); Dr. Daniela Arciero (Professional Member); Dr. Elisheva Gabison (Professional Member); Dr. Colin Goudreau (Professional Member); Ms. Robyn Gravelle (Public Member). Independent Legal Counsel: Mr. Colin Stevenson. Registrar and General Counsel CCO: Ms. Jo-Ann Willson.
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