Multiple former patients have come forward with allegations of abusive, inappropriate, and neglectful obstetrical and gynecological care against Toronto doctor Esther Park. Park resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in April 2025 after her license was restricted due to infection control issues found by Toronto Public Health, prompting calls for an independent review of regulatory bodies.
Toronto doctor's obstetrical and gynecological care was neglectful, patients allege
OntarioTorontoCanadian Medical Protective AssociationCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of OntarioOntario Ministry of HealthRomero HouseShouldice HospitalSt. Joseph's Health CentreToronto Public HealthUnity HeathUniversity of OttawaAlejandra SinnettClaudia GomezDr. Esther ParkDr. Glenn PosnerDr. Herveen SachdevaDr. Nadia RamjiEsther ArbeidJenn McIntyreJordan AssarafKarin MartinMarie-Louise FitrionPaul HarteZahra BakhshHealthSurgical proceduresMedical malpracticePublic health
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Multiple former patients have come forward with allegations of abusive, inappropriate, and neglectful obstetrical and gynecological care against Toronto doctor Esther Park. Park resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in April 2025 after her license was restricted due to infection control issues found by Toronto Public Health, prompting calls for an independent review of regulatory bodies.
Trending- 1 1993: Esther Park obtains her medical degree from the University of Toronto.
- 2 1998: Esther Park specializes in obstetrics and gynecology.
- 3 1999: Esther Park starts working in obstetrics at St. Joseph's Health Centre.
- 4 2006: CPSO authorizes Esther Park to open her own clinic.
- 5 May 12, 2016: Alejandra Sinnett's delivery with severe incisions.
- 6 Oct. 25, 2018: Marie-Louise Fitrion's delivery with alleged lack of consent.
- 7 2020: Claudia Gomez goes to Park for a Pap test and biopsy without consent.
- 8 March 21, 2024: Esther Arbeid undergoes surgery by Park.
- 9 July 2024: Esther Park stops practicing obstetrics at St. Joseph's Health Centre.
- 10 July 2024: Zahra Bakhsh has an IUD inserted by Park.
- 11 September 2024: Toronto Public Health is notified of a patient complaint against Park.
- 12 September 2024: Zahra Bakhsh discovers her IUD is 'floating around'.
- 13 October 2024: Toronto Public Health launches an investigation into Park's clinic.
- 14 October 2024: Esther Arbeid is diagnosed with an incisional hernia.
- 15 Dec. 17, 2024: Esther Park's license is restricted to office-based gynecology by the CPSO.
- 16 December 2024: Esther Park resigns from St. Joseph's Health Centre.
- 17 Jan. 23, 2025: Esther Park sends a letter to patients announcing her plans to retire by the end of April.
- 18 February 2025: Toronto Public Health sends warning letters to 2,500 of Park's patients.
- 19 March 2025: A 'Doctor's office closed' sign appears at Park's clinic.
- 20 March 19, 2025: Esther Arbeid undergoes a second surgery for her hernia.
- 21 April 28, 2025: Zahra Bakhsh and Karin Martin send a letter to government officials.
- 22 April 30, 2025: Esther Park resigns from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
- 23 May 14, 2025: Marie-Louise Fitrion files a CPSO patient complaint.
- 24 May 29, 2025: Toronto Public Health received 563 lab results from patients warned of exposure.
- Patients suffering physical and psychological trauma due to alleged neglectful care
- Calls for an independent review of medical regulatory bodies in Ontario
- Toronto Public Health conducting an internal review of its response to infection control lapses
- Public debate on medical regulation, patient safety, and the complaint process
- Dr. Park's resignation and the closure of her practice
What: Multiple former patients allege neglectful, abusive, and inappropriate obstetrical and gynecological care by Toronto doctor Esther Park. Park resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in April 2025 after her license was restricted due to infection control issues found by Toronto Public Health.
When: April 30, 2025 (Park's resignation from CPSO); Dec. 17, 2024 (Park's license restricted); September 2024 (TPH notified of complaint); October 2024 (TPH launched investigation); February 2025 (TPH sent warning letters to patients); Jan. 23, 2025 (Park's retirement letter); July 2024 (Park stopped practicing at St. Joe's); December 2024 (Park resigned from St. Joe's); March 21, 2024 (Arbeid's surgery); October 2024 (Arbeid diagnosed with hernia); March 19, 2025 (Arbeid's second surgery); July 2024 (Bakhsh's IUD insertion); September (Bakhsh found IUD floating); May 12, 2016 (Sinnett's delivery); Oct. 25, 2018 (Fitrion's delivery); 2020 (Gomez's Pap test); 1993 (Park's medical degree); 1998 (Park specialized); 1999 (Park started at St. Joe's); 2006 (Park authorized to open clinic).
Where: Toronto, Ontario; St. Joseph's Health Centre (St. Joe's); Park's clinic at 20 Edna Ave.; Mississauga, Ontario; Fredericton, New Brunswick (Dr. Ramji); Ottawa, Ontario (Dr. Posner).
Why: Patients allege Park's care was neglectful and abusive, leading to physical and psychological trauma. Regulatory bodies are criticized for not effectively monitoring her practice and for a system that places the onus on patients to report and prove harm.
How: Patients experienced traumatic incidents during labour, biopsies, and contraception insertions, including lack of consent, severe incisions, and infection. Toronto Public Health found medical instruments were not properly cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized at her clinic. Park resigned from CPSO, ending their investigation.