The Executive Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) has charged a Yorkton obstetrician/gynecologist with unprofessional conduct.
In a complaint published on the CPSS website July 24, it is alleged that Dr. Cornelius Spies sent racist and threatening text messages to another physician.
"The text message sent on or about March 31, 2013 stated 'does your wife know you fooling around with a married woman at work? fool around with your own kind!! you are a marked man for the rest of your life. watch your back. it is going to catch up with you before you know it- you are in the wrong crowd. you will never know when or where it will happen- you have been warned- leave town' or used words of similar meaning," the charges document states.
It also alleges that Spies sent a second text stating, "did you find anybody else to harass with your PERVERTED SEXUAL suggestions at work? Your wife and family will appreciate this and the CPSS I am sure."
The committee concluded that the other physician "reasonably interpreted" the messages as racist and threatening and that his wife "reasonably interpreted" them as threatening.
Although the sender did not identify himself, the complainant was able to determine who it was and Spies admitted to it, according to Bryan Salte, CPSS legal counsel.
As such, the case went directly to the Executive Committee rather than proceeding through a preliminary investigation.
"The conclusion was there was no need for additional investigation," Salte said.
The case will now go to a penalty hearing or a disciplinary hearing depending on whether the doctor pleads guilty or not guilty.
Salte said the College hopes the matter will be resolved by Sept. 20 when the College Council meets next.
Yorkton This Week has been advised that Dr. Spies is out of the country and unavailable to comment.
Sunrise Health Region communications officer Krista Boychuk said the region does not comment on these matters because doctors are independent contractors.
This is the second time in two years that a Yorkton Ob/Gyn has been charged by the College. In April 2013, Dr. Mohammed Haque faced charges of alleged sexual boundary breaches.
"Dr. Haque was charged with unprofessional conduct," a CPSS summary of completed cases states. "Five of the charges alleged sexually improper behaviour with patients. The matter was resolved when Dr. Haque agreed to relinquish his licence and not to practise medicine in the future."
