Committee: Discipline
Decision Date: 17 Oct 2016
Summary:
On October 17, 2016, the Discipline Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario found that Dr. Robert Samuel Crozier committed an act of professional misconduct in that he: engaged in sexual abuse of patients, engaged in an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional; and has been found guilty of an offence that is relevant to his suitability to practise.
Dr. Robert Crozier, a physician with a specialty in psychiatry, practised in London, Ontario.
PATIENT A
Patient A began seeing Dr. Crozier for psychiatric care in 2007 and attended appointments with him regularly until 2013. Dr. Crozier diagnosed Patient A with depression.
At the end of an appointment in December 2013, Dr. Crozier and Patient A hugged while sitting on the couch within the office. Dr. Crozier then fondled Patient A’s breast. Dr. Crozier stopped for a short time. He then moved his hands up inside of Patient A’s shirt and began fondling her breasts and nipple. He asked her if she liked this, to which she stated “No.” Dr. Crozier then asked if she had experienced an orgasm before, advising that it relieved stress.
Patient A then left the couch, stood up, and put her coat on. As Patient A was leaving the office, she told Dr. Crozier she was uncomfortable about what had occurred, at which time he apologized and stated that he had made a huge mistake. Patient A then left the office, returned home, and subsequently reported the incident to the police, who investigated the matter.
The police interviewed Dr. Crozier later on in December 2013, wherein he admitted to several aspects of this incident. Dr. Crozier was accordingly arrested for sexual assault. Dr. Crozier was released with conditions including that he not contact Patient A.
Later that day, when Patient A was at home, she received a phone call from a number that Patient A recognized as being the number of Dr. Crozier’s workplace at about 6:46 p.m. Patient A did not answer this call and Dr. Crozier’s voice was subsequently heard to be leaving a message for her. Over the next two hours, Dr. Crozier proceeded to contact Patient A ten more times, leaving five more voice messages for her begging for forgiveness. This was in violation of his release conditions.
On October 9, 2014, Dr. Crozier pled guilty to the sexual assault of Patient A. He was sentenced to four months in custody and probation for two years. Dr. Crozier was also required to comply with the Sexual Offender Registry for a period of ten years.
PATIENT B
Patient B regularly saw Dr. Crozier for psychiatric care between 2005 and 2013. In September 2013, Dr. Crozier provided Patient B with diagnoses including anxiety and depression.
In 2013, Patient B attended Dr. Crozier’s office for a scheduled appointment. During the appointment Dr. Crozier asked Patient B if she wanted a hug. Dr. Crozier came over to Patient B and sat down on the couch next to her. Dr. Crozier hugged Patient B and touched her breast with his hand. Dr. Crozier then hugged Patient B again and touched her breast with his hand again.
Patient B attempted to brush away Dr. Crozier’s hand.
Dr. Crozier told Patient B that she had been through so much and that he wanted to give her another hug. Dr. Crozier indicated that he was thinking that Patient B could take off her top.
Patient B replied that she felt this was highly inappropriate.
Patient B told Dr. Crozier that she needed to get going, but that she needed a new prescription. Dr. Crozier told Patient B that he hoped she could forgive him if he had been inappropriate.
Patient B returned home and told her husband what had transpired. Her husband called Dr. Crozier’s office asking for a call back. Dr. Crozier returned her husband’s call and admitted to “crossing the line” with Patient B. Dr. Crozier called back shortly thereafter on two occasions, apologizing and inquiring if Patient B would return to see him. Dr. Crozier subsequently left two voice messages at Patient B’s home, apologizing and attempting to explain his behaviour.
PATIENT C
Patient C first met Dr. Crozier on a date in 1993 further to a referral from her family physician.
Dr. Crozier saw Patient C for regular appointments until 2000 and prescribed medications to Patient C to address her anxiety.
In 1997, Dr. Crozier’s child was born with serious health problems. Around this time, Patient C offered comfort to Dr. Crozier. He accepted, holding her hand and sitting beside her on the couch during her sessions. Dr. Crozier also accepted comforting touches on the shoulder from Patient C on at least one occasion.
Dr. Crozier accepted Patient C’s offer to speak about his stress and he did so, discussing his child’s health, the impact upon him (including his use of alcohol) and other aspects of his personal life, including his marital difficulties. During these discussions, Dr. Crozier sat beside Patient C and held her hand while they talked. This occurred at several appointments in 1997.
Over the course of the next two years, Patient C advised Dr. Crozier that she had developed feelings for him. Patient C attended unannounced at Dr. Crozier’s home on two occasions. Dr. Crozier did not take steps to discharge Patient C from his practice until 2006.
Dr. Crozier ceased practising in 2000 for about two years due to alcohol abuse. Prior to the completion of treatment for his substance abuse disorder, Patient C asked Dr. Crozier for money.
Patient C told Dr. Crozier that she needed money because her family was not doing well financially. She threatened to report Dr. Crozier to the College for his boundary crossings with her in 1997 and for his alcohol use if Dr. Crozier did not provide her with money.
Dr. Crozier provided Patient C with several thousand dollars in 1997. Thereafter Patient C continued to threaten Dr. Crozier and ask him for money. He continued to pay her with the exception of two years until the fall of 2013. Dr. Crozier estimates having paid Patient C a total of approximately $150,000.00.
3 Dr. Crozier received residential treatment for alcohol abuse (substance abuse disorder) in 2000 and 2001. He returned to the practice of medicine in the middle of 2002. Upon his return to practice, Dr. Crozier saw Patient C for appointments from July 2002 to September 2006.
The allegations with respect to Patient C came to the College’s attention in July of 2014 through a third party.
PENALTY
On October 17, 2016, the Discipline Committee ordered and directed that:
- the Registrar revoke Dr. Crozier’s certificate of registration, effective immediately.
- Dr. Crozier appear before the panel to be reprimanded.
- Dr. Crozier reimburse the College for funding provided to Patients A and B under under section 85.7 of the Code, by posting an irrevocable letter of credit or other security acceptable to the College, by November 17, 2016, in the amount of $32,120.00.
- Dr. Crozier pay costs to the College in the amount of $5,000.00 by November 17, 2016.