DOH investigates Soap Lake PA for alleged misconduct

SOAP LAKE - An investigation is pending into allegations that a local physician's assistant had inappropriate sexual contact with two patients and three employees at the clinic, Soap Lake Family Medicine.

The Washington Department of Health's Medical Quality Assurance Commission filed a "statement of charges" April 20 against John Bearup, 65.

The complaint alleges that the "respondent (Bearup) demonstrated a pattern of inappropriate sexual behavior toward patients and coworkers, substandard examinations and documentation."

Bearup was accused of unprofessional conduct involving five women between 2008 and 2010, and conducting unchaperoned sports physicals at Soap Lake Middle School and Soap Lake High School in fall 2009.

Bearup has 20 days to respond, said Kate Lynch, public information officer for the Department of Health. The last day for a response is today, May 10; Bearup had not responded as of yesterday, May 9, Lynch said.

Mike Farrell, an attorney representing the Medical Quality Assurance Commission, said it's not unusual for medical professionals to wait until the last day to answer a complaint, or wait until the last day to request an extension of the response period. Medical professionals are allowed up to 60 additional days to respond, Farrell said.

There is a wide range of sanctions Bearup could face, ranging from a reprimand to his license being revoked, according to Farrell.

A message on the answering machine at the clinic said the office is closed while the owner is looking for a new supervising physician. A call asking for comment was not returned.

The complaint alleges Bearup acted inappropriately with three women who worked in the clinic and were patients there, with incidents cited from August 2008 to June 2010.

Bearup is accused of asking two of the women to disrobe, ostensibly as part of the medical examinations, without offering them a gown. He allegedly conducted frequent examinations of all three women for skin lesions, asking them to remove all or part of their clothing, and not taking any chart notes, the complaint said.

He allegedly offered massages to two of the women for injuries they had suffered, although there was a licensed massage therapist on staff, asking them to remove all or part of their clothing, the complaint said. All of the alleged incidents occurred while there were no chaperones, family members or other employees in the room, the complaint said.

All three women said Bearup would say they didn't trust him if they expressed concern over his conduct, and that they were afraid of "negative consequences" if they didn't comply.

Bearup allegedly had one of the women examine his genitals on more than one occasion, the complaint said.

Two other women complained that Bearup engaged in what they felt was inappropriate behavior while he was examining them.

The complaint alleges that Bearup conducted sports physicals in the locker room at Soap Lake High School, but that there was no chaperone during the examinations. That made at least two of the girls uncomfortable, the complaint said.

In addition, the complaint alleges Bearup gave medication to one woman without proper documentation.

Physician assistants are required to work under the supervision of a physician, Farrell said. Physician assistants can work at a site away from the main office, called a remote site, but they must get permission from the quality assurance commission. The complaint alleges that Bearup didn't do that.

If Bearup responds, a hearing will be scheduled, Farrell said. The hearing probably would be scheduled in six to eight months, he said, and Bearup could continue practicing in the meantime.

"Between now and then, we would try to settle the case with Mr. Bearup," Farrell said.

If Bearup doesn't respond he could be found in default, Farrell said, and "the (quality assurance) commission will proceed to impose disciplinary action without his participation."

The name of Bearup's attorney was unavailable as of press time, because Bearup has not responded to the allegations.