Zillah physician accused of sexually inappropriate habits with PNWU college students | Native
A Zillah doctor and former assistant professor at Pacific Northwest College of Well being Sciences has been accused of unprofessional conduct towards college students, in response to a information launch.
A press release of fees introduced towards Dr. Larry S. Lefors by the Board of Osteopathic Medication and Surgical procedure alleges Lefors acted in a sexually inappropriate method with college students in 2017 and 2018.
The assertion of fees towards Lefors recognized three complaints from three totally different college students. He’s accused of stroking a pupil’s leg, urgent his physique towards a pupil’s bottom, and commenting on college students’ breast dimension, the discharge mentioned.
The costs have been filed Might 26 and talked about in a Thursday information launch from the Washington State Division of Well being.
The assertion of fees mentioned PNWU accomplished an inside investigation into the scholars’ allegations in November 2018 and located Lefors “had handled feminine college students with out their consent.” Lefors resigned from his college place, the assertion mentioned. Officers at PNWU couldn’t be reached for remark this week.
Lefors may have a possibility to reply to the fees introduced towards him. The case then enters the settlement course of. If no disciplinary settlement may be reached, the case goes to a listening to.
Lawyer Steve Lamberson mentioned Lefors denies all of the allegations.
“Throughout the investigation, we supplied a number of statements from co-workers down there (at PNWU) that labored with Dr. Lefors and by no means as soon as noticed such contact or conduct,” he mentioned. “There isn’t a historical past of any sort of conduct that’s alleged right here.”
Lamberson mentioned Lefors’ lessons, which centered on osteopathic care, would generally name for demonstrations that will require him to the touch college students.
“(Osteopathic medication) is a medical apply that does contain putting the fingers on sufferers equivalent to a chiropractor or a bodily therapist. In order a required apply of an osteopathic doctor, there are putting of the fingers on sufferers for manipulation and osteopathic remedy,” Lamberson mentioned. “A few of these college students with none expertise might have misconstrued a few of this instructive manipulation and osteopathic remedy.”
Lamberson mentioned he doesn’t know why the fees have been filed now.
In 2015, Lefors was charged with unprofessional conduct and investigated for allegedly overprescribing narcotics for power ache sufferers, in addition to conserving inaccurate affected person data.
He denied any wrongdoing.
He reached a settlement with the state and his license was placed on compliance monitoring for 2 years. The restrictions have been lifted in 2018.
