Arkansas doctor's license is restored amid rape allegations

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Arkansas doctor's license is restored amid rape allegations

Claudia Lauer, Associated Press

Updated 3:54 pm, Thursday, August 4, 2016

The Arkansas State Medical Board voted to allow Robert Rook of Conway to see patients as long as he is accompanied by a chaperone and he submits a log of all patient exams to the board. The agreement was part of a consent order proposed by Rook's attorneys.

Rook pleaded not guilty in July to three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The medical board issued an emergency order of suspension in June as a result of those charges, temporarily suspending Rook's medical license.

Board members said none of the women who made the criminal allegations agreed to testify before the board, and that without their testimony, the board did not have enough evidence to uphold the suspension. Court records show three female patients reported inappropriate medical exams last year, including one who said she engaged in sexual activities with Rook in exchange for access to pharmaceuticals.

The board's attorney, Kevin O'Dwyer, said staff received an anonymous complaint in October from one of the women who has since become part of the criminal complaint.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Arkansas-doctor-s-license-is-restored-amid-rape-9122797.php

---

[center]

Dr. Robert Rook [/center]

[progree]

1. Consumer Reports had a cover article a few months ago on how lax medical boards are

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/doctors-and-hospitals/what-you-dont-know-about-your-doctor-could-hurt-you/index.htm

Thousands of doctors across the U.S. are on medical probation for reasons including drug abuse, sexual misconduct, and making careless—sometimes deadly—mistakes. But they're still out there practicing. And good luck figuring out who they are.

...

You can find out more about the safety record of your toaster and whether or not it's going to catch on fire than you can find about your physicians.'
—Robert Oshel, former associate director for research and disputes at the National Practitioner Data Bank

[Midnight Writer]

2. Physician Heal Thyself ( and regulate yourself, and pretty much do as thy will)