Doctor's License Revoked for Sending Sexual Texts to Patient's Father
A recent investigation by WRAL uncovered a disturbing case involving a local doctor accused of sexual assault against a patient. Shockingly, not only was the doctor allowed to continue practicing medicine, but he also received a promotion following the initial allegation.
According to records obtained from the North Carolina Medical Board, Dr. Michael Coody, who was practicing at UNC Southeastern in Lumberton, faced serious allegations. The timeline of events reveals a troubling pattern of misconduct that ultimately led to the revocation of his medical license.
In September 2022, a 58-year-old woman with renal disease and partial blindness reported being raped twice during her stay under Dr. Coody's care. Despite an internal investigation by the hospital failing to substantiate the allegations, a subsequent incident in September 2023 shed light on Coody's egregious behavior.
The second case involved a 23-year-old patient receiving treatment for mental health issues. In this instance, Coody was criminally charged with first-degree forcible sex offense. Shockingly, Coody admitted to wrongdoing in both cases, as confirmed by the Medical Board's summary judgment.
The unraveling of Coody's misconduct took a bizarre turn when he mistakenly sent explicit messages to the patient's father, believing he was contacting the patient. The messages explicitly requested the patient's return to the hospital for sexual activities and included inappropriate content. Upon discovering the messages, the father promptly reported the incident to the hospital and law enforcement, leading to Coody's immediate termination.
When questioned about the handling of the allegations and Coody's subsequent promotion, UNC Health Southeastern provided a vague response, emphasizing their cooperation with investigations by local authorities and the Medical Board. However, the lack of transparency regarding the promotion and monitoring of Coody's behavior raises concerns about accountability within the healthcare system.
In a rare move, the state medical board revoked Coody's license, highlighting the severity of his actions. Data from the board indicates that such disciplinary actions are infrequent, with only a small number of doctors facing license revocation each year since 2020.
Instances like Coody's serve as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent oversight and accountability within the medical profession. The protection of patients should always remain the top priority, and swift action must be taken to address any breaches of trust or misconduct by healthcare professionals.
