(April 28, 2025) By: Talia Ricci, CBC News<\/p>\n
Esther Park has agreed never to reapply for registration as a physician in Canada<\/em><\/p>\n A Toronto doctor under investigation after thousands of people were potentially exposed to blood-borne infections at her gynecology office has resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, CBC News has learned.<\/p>\n The college investigated Dr. Esther Park’s care of two patients in her obstetrics and gynecology practice following two public complaints, according to the CPSO’s physician register.<\/p>\n “In the face of the investigations, Dr. Park has resigned from the College effective April 30, 2025, and has agreed never to apply or reapply for registration as a physician in Ontario or any other jurisdiction,” the public notification reads.<\/p>\n Around 2,500 patients were notified by Toronto Public Health (TPH) earlier this year that they may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV at Park’s clinic due to improper cleaning protocols \u2014 including speculums not being disassembled before they were cleaned, and “significant overdiluting” of disinfecting solution.<\/p>\n In a statement, Dr. Herveen Sachdeva, the city’s associate medical officer of health at Toronto Public Health, said they have received results for approximately 430 patients to date.<\/p>\n “Our investigation remains independent of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and will proceed regardless of any changes to the provider’s licensing status,” Sachdeva said, adding at this time, no infections have been confirmed to be linked to the clinic.<\/p>\n College won’t say how many complaints filed<\/strong><\/p>\n Dozens of patients contacted CBC Toronto following the notice to share negative encounters with the doctor. Several said they filed complaints with the CPSO, though the college will not say how many complaints were made in total.<\/p>\n Zahra Bakhsh, a former patient who received one of the letters from TPH, said the resignation still leaves a lot of questions unanswered.<\/p>\n “I feel like so many people have been defeated. I feel hopeless for the system that we’re in, and I am angry,” she said.<\/p>\n Karin Martin, another former patient said she has connected with dozens of other women who had traumatic experiences with the doctor, and feels resigning means avoiding responsibility.<\/p>\n “She’s in front of it even now, she resigns, and we still don’t know if we get a resolution. There’s no communication,” Martin said.<\/p>\n The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario says resignations or registrations that have expired do not prevent the college from investigating, or continuing to investigate, concerns or complaints about the care provided.<\/p>\n “Complaints can be filed with CPSO after a physician ceases to practice where the concern or conduct relates to the time when the physician was a college registrant,” the college said in a statement, adding it takes all concerns seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of patients.<\/p>\n