In a decision released on January 19, 2024, the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal (OPSDT) of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) found that Dr. Caroline Anne Turek had made unprofessional comments on social media and other online forums about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on a joint submission of the parties, the OPSDT accepted that the penalty for Dr. Turek should be a two-month suspension and a reprimand.

FACTS

Dr. Turek identified herself as a physician on her Twitter and Facebook accounts. Her posts on those and other public platforms between 2020 and 2022 included:

• inappropriate criticism of public health and government policies regarding COVID-19 that promoted prolonged lockdowns, masking, and vaccine mandates;
• promotion of Ivermectin/Hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, contrary to public health recommendations;
• inappropriate criticism of the CPSO due to its stances in support of public health recommendations around COVID-19 issues; and
• assertions that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and statements opposing vaccine mandates.

DECISION

The OPSDT observed that trained physicians publicly discouraging people from following public health guidelines and promoting unrecognized treatments undermined the actions of the public health authorities at a critical time. As such, Dr. Turek’s actions constituted disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional conduct. 

The OPSDT distinguished the facts of this case from other more serious discipline matters relating to improper communications about public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic where physicians received more serious penalties. 

As a result, Dr. Turek received a penalty of a reprimand and a two month suspension from the practice of medicine.

Decision Date: January 19, 2024

Jurisdiction: Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal

Citation: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario v. Turek, 2024 ONPSDT 1