Patients Unaware of Physician Disciplinary Actions at Fertility Clinics
An extensive investigation into the fertility services sector has revealed that a significant number of physicians practicing in the field, particularly within a prominent Ontario clinic chain, have faced or are currently facing restrictions on their medical licenses due to past misconduct or allegations. These issues range from multi-million dollar lawsuits to counts of professional misconduct, yet patients seeking services like egg freezing or in vitro fertilization may remain unaware of these circumstances.
Lack of Transparency in Clinic Disclosures
While regulatory bodies, such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), post information regarding physician license restrictions online, fertility clinics themselves are not mandated to disclose this information on their websites. This lack of required transparency means patients may not have access to crucial background details about the doctors providing their care.
Investigation Uncovers Widespread Concerns
An analysis of over 260 physicians working at clinics offering fertility services identified nine doctors with current or past license restrictions imposed by provincial regulatory bodies. Of these, eight continue to practice in Ontario or Quebec, with no mention of their disciplinary issues appearing on their respective clinics’ websites. Five of these physicians are or were associated with NewLife Fertility, a clinic chain with 10 locations across Ontario.
NewLife Fertility Responds
Dr. Samuel Solimon, CEO and medical director of NewLife Fertility, stated that the issues faced by its physicians with the Ontario medical college are public and have been addressed and resolved. He clarified that these issues are not directly related to the clinic’s operations.
Specific Cases of Concern
Among the physicians employed by NewLife Fertility, Dr. Salim Haiderali Daya, who practices at the NewLife Mississauga location, was involved in a multi-million dollar class-action lawsuit settlement in 2007. The lawsuit stemmed from allegations of negligence regarding a surgery deemed inappropriate by the hospital where he previously worked. In 2006, the CPSO placed restrictions on his license, requiring second opinions for certain uterine surgeries and notification to the CPSO for unsupervised procedures. These restrictions remain in place. Additionally, he was cautioned in 2018 after a patient complained about inappropriate comments and a request for an embryo.
Another specialist at NewLife, Dr. Faez Faruqi, surrendered his Quebec medical license in 2023 following an investigation into 16 counts of professional misconduct. A Quebec tribunal found his actions, including paying egg donors and promoting paid egg donations through his clinic’s website, to be reckless. This conduct was deemed “provincial misconduct” in Ontario, leading to a license suspension and a requirement for ethics and boundaries training.
Dr. Jeremy Churchill Wong, also a NewLife specialist, undertook in 2023 to post a sign informing patients of their right to request a third party present during intimate examinations. This followed a CPSO investigation into his obstetrics practice in response to a patient complaint.
Dr. Samuel Ko, working at multiple NewLife locations, had his license restricted in August 2024 after a CPSO investigation into potential professional misconduct or incompetence. While permitted to perform obstetrics in his office, he is no longer allowed to do so in a hospital setting.
Dr. Joseph Yo-Sup Lee, who worked at NewLife for over a decade, had his medical license suspended indefinitely in New York State in 2010 due to alcohol abuse. His Ontario license was restricted in May 2023, though the reasons are not publicly detailed.
Broader Regulatory Issues
Alana Cattapan, a Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Reproduction, argues that patients deserve more comprehensive information from regulatory bodies. She noted that the complaint and investigation process for assisted reproduction matters has fallen short in making information accessible to patients.
A spokesperson for the CPSO stated that the college’s oversight is limited to the practice of medicine in Ontario and does not extend to clinic employment or business practices. Currently, the only method for Ontario patients to check physician backgrounds is through the CPSO’s online registry.
Other Clinics Face Scrutiny
Beyond NewLife Fertility, a physician at Lakeridge Fertility was cautioned twice by the regulatory body for poor judgment in cases involving the deaths of two babies during labor. Lakeridge stated these issues pertained to obstetrics and not gynecological practice.
At Clinique OVO in Quebec, a doctor was disciplined for removing a patient’s fallopian tube without consent. Dr. François Bissonnette, a founder of OVO, was sanctioned in 2019 for a similar procedure without consent. OVO and Bissonnette did not respond to requests for comment.
A doctor now at IVF Canada in Toronto was cautioned for failing to protect patient confidentiality. IVF Canada also did not respond to inquiries.
Calls for Stricter Standards
Experts suggest that the growing fertility industry requires tighter standards. Proposals include the creation of a “stamp of approval” for clinics with medical staff who have no license restrictions, as suggested by Cattapan.
The lack of comprehensive regulation in many provinces leaves patients with limited recourse in cases of inappropriate physician behavior. Concerns are raised that in regions with few fertility clinics, patients may hesitate to file complaints for fear of losing access to essential services.
