Posted on 08/30/2005 5:14:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The state is investigating a doctor accused of telling a patient she was so obese she might only be attractive to black men and advising another to shoot herself following brain surgery.
"Let's face it, if your husband were to die tomorrow, who would want you?" the state Board of Medicine says Dr. Terry Bennett told the overweight patient in June 2004.
"Well, men might want you, but not the types you want to want you. Might even be a black guy," it quoted him as saying, based on the woman's complaint.
The board said it also is taking a second look at a 2001 allegation - deemed unfounded at the time - that Bennett told a woman recovering from brain surgery to buy a pistol and shoot herself to end her suffering.
Bennett made national news last week when the complaint from the obese woman became public without any mention of the racial comment. But Senior Assistant Attorney General Richard Head, who leads the state Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, said Tuesday the woman complained about the racial remark, not about being lectured.
In a telephone interview Tuesday from Rochester, Bennett denied any wrongdoing and defended his message to her, saying he has read polls that say black men prefer overweight women.
Bennett added that he is angry the board is reconsidering the 2001 complaint.
"That patient is currently in a nursing home completely demented, tied to a chair drooling on herself and doesn't recognize anybody," said Bennett, 67. "She was in pretty nearly that condition at the time she filed that complaint."
Bennett's lawyer, Charles Douglas, said his client is being attacked by the board, which, by its own rules, does not discipline doctors for bedside manner.
"If a patient does not like the message, go to another doctor," Douglas said.
Head said the 2001 complaint is being considered as part of a review of Bennett's overall adherence to medical ethics. The state Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau investigates complaints against doctors, though the board decides how to act on them.
Head said privacy laws prevent him from disclosing the women's names.
The board can fine, reprimand or suspend doctors. It also can revoke doctors' licenses or require them to attend classes or treatment. A hearing is planned Dec. 7.
Earlier this year, Bennett rejected an effort by the board to resolve the latest complaint. The board wanted him to admit he had made a mistake and to attend a class on medical ethics, which he called "touchy-feely school."
Bennett previously was cited by the board in 1995 when, as part of a settlement to avoid discipline, he admitted lying on his 1992 and 1993 medical license renewal applications about being denied hospital privileges. He was fined $1,000.
Oh lovely. Just what I want in a doctor. A pathological liar and all the people skills of Uday.
lol
Ummmm no.
"Well, men might want you, but not the types you want to want you. Might even be a black guy,"
Might even be a black guy? That apparently is a negative is this little byrds mind.
Oh the horror, that a black guy might have the good taste to appreciated her! Charming.
The comments were totally racial and he's a confirmed liar to boot. What does that tell you? I know what it tells me. Liars should not practicing medicine, esp. ones that got their hospital rights pulled.
Is NH that hard up for doctors?
Yeah I find that amazing.
You just know that guy had a really rough childhood.
"Well, men might want you, but not the types you want to want you. Might even be a black guy," it quoted him as saying, based on the woman's complaint.
10. You want a second opinion? OK, you're ugly too.
9. You don't need the implants. You're already a big enough boob.
8. I wish I had a hundred patients like you. Problem is, I've got two hundred like you.
7...
Well put. I could have ignored it all and appreciated his comments if he would not have made it seem that unfortunately the only person that will want you is a black guy.
Sir mix a lot never said overweight woman. He said women with back. Not the same thing. Some black women can be underweight and have a huge butt.
The more that comes out on this guy the more I wonder why he was allowed to practice medicine as long as he did
I wonder if this doctor graduated in the bottom half of his class in med school?
Hopefully once he's fired his wife will not leave him because according to polls that I have seen, no woman wants you if you don't have a job not even a (insert any race).
I am sure she doesn't think she could top you. : )
I already told my husband that if anything happens to him, I won't be looking for another model. Heeheehee
I told a woman I know that if I (hope not) had to start dating, I'd carry a little card that said "will cook and do laundry for sex". She looked at me seriously and said she knew a dozen women that would go for that.
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