A Chatham neurologist has had his medical license suspended after pleading guilty to assault and uttering death threats.
Dr. Awad Mortada had his license suspended for eight months at a College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario disciplinary hearing in Toronto on Friday after agreed statements of facts were presented by lawyers for the College and Dr. Mortada.
The Tribunal found that Dr. Mortada committed an act of professional misconduct that panel members regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, adding the offences are "relevant to his suitability to practise [medicine]."
Dr. Mortada has been directed by the College to close his medical practice and notify his patients of the closure. He must also successfully complete ethics training by mid-March 2023 at his own expense. He also has to pay for the College's $6,000 in expenses by the middle of next month.
Mortada was found guilty of assault and uttering death threats and was sentenced to two years probation on June 24, 2019. At the time, Mortada was also ordered to provide a DNA sample and was banned from possessing weapons for five years.
The tribunal members wrote that laws are in place to protect society, adding that the medical profession’s primary tenet is to "first do no harm to anyone, whether a patient or not."
"Our society abhors violence and assault... You have acted violently and committed assault... not once but repeatedly," the panel wrote in a stern reprimand after the suspension ruling. "You have also broken your legal agreement... this is most disturbing and worsens the misconduct."
The reprimand goes on to say that physicians are expected to control their emotions and behave as professionals, both within and outside the clinical setting.
"Our patients' lives and welfare depend on it... The loss of trust resulting from your failure to abide by your legal agreement is also grave and cannot be underestimated," the panel continued. "We acknowledge your rehabilitative activities and ongoing treatment, but your misconduct is abhorrent and cannot be excused. Your conduct reflects poorly on you and the profession, and your violent behaviour must be sanctioned."
The tribunal hopes the "significant suspension" will serve as a deterrent against future misconduct and will send a strong message to all physicians that this behaviour is not condoned. It also hopes the penalty will maintain public confidence in the ability of the profession to govern itself in the public interest and safety.
Dr. Mortada was previously on staff at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, but has not had privileges with Chatham-Kent Health Alliance since March 2020, according to hospital officials. He was introduced at the hospital in February 2017.