Ep 26: Trusted, Titled and Toxic

When “trusted” turns toxic. In this episode, Shannen and Nyleen dig into the Washington State case of an OB-GYN whose exam room conduct sparked years of complaints, multiple lawsuits, and a formal Statement of Charges by the Washington Department of Health. We unpack how warning signs were minimized as “just the doctor being the doctor,” what “Active – Pending Enforcement Action” really means for patients, and why credentialing must look beyond a license that appears “clean.”

What’s inside

• A timeline of red flags (2005–2024) and how institutional shrugging enabled harm
• Allegations outlined by the WA DOH Statement of Charges: boundary violations, sexualized comments, humiliation of patients, and staff concerns
• The credentialing view: why “Active” ≠ safe, and how MSPs should escalate “pending” cases
• Culture as a safety tool—and how to hold the line when pressure says “push the file”
• Patient/physician/MSP PSAs you can act on today

Important note: The conduct discussed consists of allegations drawn from public filings and reporting. The physician’s Washington license status at the time of recording is Active – Pending Enforcement Action. Everyone is entitled to due process; our focus is on systems, patient safety, and credentialing accountability.

PSA

• Patients: Check license status, ask questions, and report uncomfortable encounters.
• Physicians: Your loyalty is to patients—speak up, document, and support safe culture.
• MSPs/CVOs: Track “pending enforcement,” document patterns, and advocate for immediate safeguards.

Credentialing Chronicles—where compliance meets conversation, and receipts meet reform.