Physical therapist suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct

A Bristol physical therapist has been barred temporarily from practicing in Tennessee for allegations that he sexually molested three patients in late 2008, according to recently filed state documents.

The Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy on Dec. 22 summarily suspended the license of Michael Cameron, who had been employed at Bristol Regional Medical Center during the time of the alleged misconduct. The board charged Cameron with “substandard care” and “sexual misconduct” described as “so severe that it imperatively requires emergency action” to protect the public.

Wellmont Health Systems, which operates the hospital, fired Cameron in February after issuing two warnings. A Wellmont spokesman on Tuesday refused to provide any details related to Cameron’s discharge or dates of employment.

“We worked closely with the state, and because it’s a personnel matter, we can’t comment further,” the spokesman, Jim Wozniak, said by phone.

Cameron was working as a physical therapist in Texas as recently as November, but was terminated by his last employer and efforts to reach him were unsuccessful Wednesday.

The board’s order of suspension provides a narrative of the charges against Cameron, which were all reported by female patients he treated behind closed doors and without another female present.

On Oct. 31, 2008, a patient identified as “V1” complained to Cameron’s supervisor at Bristol Regional that he had spent a lot of time “feeling/massaging all around the border of one of her breasts.” The patient, who suffered from a cervical disc herniation, described Cameron’s actions as “very uncomfortable” and “strange,” and asked not to be treated by him again.

Wellmont gave Cameron an oral warning, and recommended that he not work on female patients in private rooms with the door shut, “especially if he was working on a private part of the body,” the suspension order states.

Barely a month later, on Dec. 10, 2008, a different patient with neck pain claimed that Cameron instructed her to lie face down on a table, and “proceeded to pull her pants and underwear down almost to her knees,” and then massaged her buttocks.

Reached by phone Wednesday, the patient, identified in the suspension order as “J.T.,” tearfully declined to comment, expressing a desire to consult with Tennessee health officials before speaking with a reporter.

After J.T.’s mother called Wellmont to complain, the hospital suspended Cameron for two weeks as they investigated the incident, according to the suspension order. He was issued a second warning and required to attend a “facility class regarding effective communication in patient care activities, and that he offer to female patients to have a female staff member present.”

Cameron was allowed to return to work, but advised that another complaint could end his employment.

Two months later, in February 2009, another complaint came – this time from an unnamed physical therapist in Bristol, Tenn., who reported that a patient of his had complained of treatment she received from Cameron in October or November of 2008.

This patient, identified as “V2,” told Wellmont officials that Cameron had directed her to remove her shirt and her bra while alone in a room with him. On her third visit, V2 claimed that the therapist “squeezed her breasts very hard while pulling them up.” On a later visit, she claimed that Cameron told her she had “beautiful breasts.”

Wellmont fired Cameron on Feb. 25, the day after hospital officials met with V2.

After leaving Bristol, Cameron was hired as a traveling physical therapist by Dallas-based Delta Flex Travelers, and was terminated Nov. 1, according to Callie Corley, who works in risk management for the company.

The last place of employment Cameron reported to the state was at a rehabilitation center in Bay City, Texas. Jan Skinner, office manager at the center, said Wednesday that Cameron had worked there about 13 weeks, and left in late October or early November – she thought for Kentucky. She said she did not know his license had been suspended in Tennessee.

On Tuesday, Cameron waived his right to an informal hearing before the state physical therapy board in Nashville, according to a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Health. He will face a formal hearing at one of the board’s quarterly meetings in 2010.

The board’s next meeting is Feb. 12. An agenda was not available Wednesday.

dgilbert@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2558