A number of women have complained that a Beverly Hills obstetrician-gynecologist had been inappropriate or abusive, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has suspended the doctor’s privilege to practice at the hospital as an investigation is underway.
Patients—nine so far— have accused Dr. Barry Brock of a series of behaviors, including lewd talk, unnecessary sexual touching, inappropriate and painful treatments during birth, and more.
Cedars-Sinai said the allegations against Brock are behaviors that run counter to the hospital’s ethical practices and his presence is damaging to patient trust. Brock, 74, had denied the allegations against him. The California Medical Board has now received the formal complaint against him. Brock points out that he voluntarily gave up his practice privileges before there was any investigation into the merits of the patient complaints.
One patient who complained said that Brock made remarks about the size of her breasts and stated that her husband must enjoy them. She characterized the breast exam as “impromptu and forced.” Brock responded that he would never make such a comment, and that he only examines patient breasts for medical reasons.
Another patient claimed that she had to check in to Cedars Sinai when she still had not gone into labor a week after her due date, and because she had low amniotic fluid. She claimed Brock essentially forced a natural delivery on her (as compared to a c-section), “which became torturous for me.” Both she and her husband pleaded for a different OBGYN, she said, but they were ignored.
This patient developed an infection during her labor, and the baby’s heart rate dropped. After 20 hours, Brock performed a c-section, and the baby was born blue and unresponsive. The infant needed to be resuscitated, according to hospital records.
The mother claims that the first thing Brock commented on after the frightening birth was her genitals. She said that the doctor said she would remain “nice and tight down there.”
Brock denies the charges, and said it is outrageous that anyone would believe that he would behave in such a manner after 46 years in the medical field.
