Boston

After facing spine pain Kristin Fritz sought help from a rheumatologist recommended by her doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, a decade ago.

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During her appointments with Dr. Derrick Todd, Fritz initially experienced a normal consultation process. However, as the session progressed, she recounted feeling uncomfortable as Todd aggressively groped her breasts, suggesting he took pleasure in the act.

It wasn't until last year, when contacted by the hospital regarding Todd, that she understood the violation. She later discovered she was not alone.

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“I feel so dishonored,” she told The Associated Press. “I feel so ashamed of myself for not knowing better in the moment to do anything and to be like, yeah, this did feel wrong and I should tell somebody.”

It is worth mentioning that she is one of more than 200 women and several men who have joined a consolidated lawsuit against Todd in Massachusetts’ Suffolk Superior Court.

The lawsuit, which combines multiple filings from the previous year, accuses Todd of subjecting patients to unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations.

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The lawsuit alleges that Todd, a former rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital specialising in treating inflammatory conditions of muscles, joints, and bones, began abusing patients in 2010. It further accuses several dozen other defendants, including Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Charles River Medical Associates, of being aware of the abuse and failing to intervene.

William Thompson of Lubin & Meyer, Boston-based firm that represents most of the victims, described the case as remarkable due to the significant number of individuals who were exploited by him. Thompson also questioned how such misconduct could persist within the hospital and practice group for so long without detection or intervention.

Anthony Abeln, Todd's lawyer, stated that Todd would not litigate this matter in the media, but he will defend his care as the case progresses through the Massachusetts Superior Court system.

Initially the hospital received anonymous complaint about Todd that prompted an internal investigation. He was asked not to conduct sensitive examinations without a chaperone. In June, he was placed on administrative leave and later terminated.

The hospital reported the incident to the Department of Public Health, the state Board of Registration in Medicine, law enforcement, and Todd's current and former patients.

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In September, Todd voluntarily agreed with the Board of Registration in Medicine to cease practicing medicine nationwide. While no criminal charges have been filed against Todd.

Thompson noted that victims of the abuse ranged in age from teenagers to women in their 60s. The lawsuit alleged Todd would gain their confidence, go beyond treating their rheumatic diseases and become their only doctor while conducting invasive, unnecessary exams.

For Fritz the experience will stay with her for the rest of her life. But she takes solace in the fact that Todd is already paying a price for his actions.

(With inputs from agencies)