Doctor disciplined for having relationships with patients
MADISON — A Beloit doctor who practices in Fort Atkinson and Edgerton has been disciplined for having sexual relationships with women he treated, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Randall W. Jennings, an orthopedic surgeon, was disciplined by the Medical Examining Board for incidents that happened in 2003 while he worked for Beloit Memorial Hospital, the release says.
According to the release, Jennings had a relationship with one woman shortly after treating her for forearm, hand and wrist pain and a relationship with another woman while treating her for shoulder pain. Wisconsin Administrative Code prohibits sexual contact between a physician and patient within two years of professional services.
Both of the women also worked at Beloit Memorial Hospital, the release says.
Jennings now works for Fort Medical Group in Fort Atkinson, according to the disciplinary order. He occasionally performs minor procedures at Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, a spokeswoman there said.
The Medical Examining Board ordered an 18-month suspension for Jennings but stayed the suspension as long as he tells present and future employers about the order, the release says. His employer must submit quarterly reports to the Department of Regulation and Licensing assessing his work performance.
Jennings has received psychotherapy since the incident, and a 2009 evaluation found he has had “significant emotional and psychological growth since his misconduct,” the release says.
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Aug 17, 2009 at 4:58 a.m.
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Isn't it sad that this article has gotten a total of 12 comments while the article on cruising the strip got 82 and the article on Petland got 234? Is it any wonder doctors who mistreat patients only get a "slap on their wrist"? This man was PROVEN guilty in at least two incidents and given a suspension only to have it stayed. Where is the outrage???? How many more lives will he be allowed to disrupt or ruin - including his own wife and two children?!
Aug 16, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.
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At least one of them did - she needed it after this doctor took advantage of her condition.....
Aug 16, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
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Did both the women seek psych treatment because they both need it!
Aug 16, 2009 at 3:27 p.m.
Aug 16, 2009 at 12:55 p.m.
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This whole thing came about because of one of the ladies was jilted. She started the whole thing.That's how the whole thing started. He never did do anything to patients just with a couple of women who worked at BMH.
Aug 16, 2009 at 12:06 p.m.
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momof5: I wouldn't be so sure the women were aware of the code. I have been an RN for 20 years and this is the first time that I have ever heard of it. I knew it existed for psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, counselors, etc., but never heard of it being applied to any physicians other than the psychiatrists.
Aug 16, 2009 at 10:40 a.m.
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A lot of big shots in Beloit seem to want to be poinking the help. The good doctor, the Police Chief, who else? Don't they have enough work to do down there?
Aug 16, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.
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If both of the women also worked at BMH, they surely knew they were doing something wrong also.
Aug 16, 2009 at 6:49 a.m.
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I've been to Dr Jennings (For a shoulder injury) and thought he was a great doctor. I did not get any wierd vibes as if he was a sexual predator. I think this may be case of a jilted lover wanting to get a little revenge. In both of these instances it says he had a "relationship" with these women. Nowhere does it state that he was touching regular patients inappropriately. Two Years is a long time. If someone went and saw him for an injury and 6 months later met him somewhere else and they decided to date, under this rule he would not be allowed to and he would be in violation of this rule. I understand the intention of the rule, but seems like there should be some extenuating circumstances allowed. I was not ever aware of this two year rule. I thought you just could not treat and bill insurance for family members. Or treat current significant others but as long as the patient/doctor relationship was terminated that they would be free to see eath other. But all in all, this doesn't affect the quality of his medical care. He is still a great doctor and provides great care to his patients.
Aug 15, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
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Really? That wasn't long after he "fixed" my broken finger... one in which the OT staff asked why he sent me for OT since the mobility of the finger was nearly as if I had just sprained it.
Glad they did something, but interested in how he was found out-- a break up?
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