The esteemed Cleveland Clinic doctor, 66, is fired after being accused of sexually assaulting patients: The former hepatology chief is also facing three counts of kidnapping
- A doctor in the Cleveland Clinic hospital system has been fired and is currently facing charges of sexual assault and patient abduction
- dr Omar Massoud, 66, faces three sexual assault charges and three kidnapping charges
- The alleged assaults took place during the March and November exams
- In a statement, Cleveland Clinic officials said they immediately reported the allegations and let the doctor go after an internal investigation
A respected doctor in the Cleveland Clinic hospital system has been fired after being accused of sexually abusing patients.
dr Omar Massoud, 66, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of kidnapping.
Court documents claim the doctor fondled three patients during separate incidents dating back to earlier this year.
According to local officials, all of the assaults happened during the doctor’s examinations.
dr Omar Massoud, 66, faces criminal charges for allegedly assaulting patients
dr Massoud is the former chief of hepatology at the Cleveland Clinic
The first alleged attack took place on March 25 at the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus outside of downtown.
The second took place on November 11 and the third on November 28, also at the main site of the hospital system.
In a statement, Cleveland Clinic officials said they took immediate action upon learning of the patients’ allegations.
“The Cleveland Clinic is strongly committed to protecting the rights and safety of our patients, visitors and caregivers from any form of inappropriate behavior.
“We have processes in place for staff and patients to report concerns, which are then thoroughly investigated. We immediately reported the allegations to the relevant law enforcement authorities and are fully cooperating with the investigation.
“After a thorough internal investigation, this doctor was fired. Patient safety is very important to us and any form of misconduct will not be tolerated.’
“The Cleveland Clinic is strongly committed to protecting the rights and safety of our patients, visitors and caregivers from any form of inappropriate behavior,” officials said in a statement
The doctor is accused of sexually assaulting three patients in separate incidents on March 25, November 11 and November 28
dr Massoud is a gastroenterologist who specializes in adult gastroenterology, according to his bio on HealthLine.
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in the digestive system.
US News ranks the Cleveland Clinic as the fourth best hospital in the country for gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery.
Massoud is also a former Chief of Hepatology at the Cleveland Clinic and has over 20 years of medical experience.
Public records show the doctor holds professional medical licenses in several states, including Ohio, Alabama, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
US News ranks the Cleveland Clinic as the fourth best hospital in the country for gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery
In Ohio, third-degree crimes like those Massoud is charged with usually carry prison terms ranging from nine to 36 months.
If found guilty, Massoud also faces up to five years probation plus registration as a sex offender.
has reached out to Ohio Medical Board officials to see if they are investigating the incident, but have received no response as of publication.
The investigations are still ongoing.