Gary E. Lawrence, M.D., a 68-year-old physician who formerly practiced family medicine in Ackley, Iowa, entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Iowa Board of Medicine on April 19, 2012.
On January 13, 2012, the Board charged Dr. Lawrence with engaging in a sexual relationship with a female patient in 1993 and another female patient in 2010. The Board also alleged that Dr. Lawrence inappropriately prescribed controlled substances to the second female patient without maintaining appropriate medical records, performed an inappropriate physical examination on another female patient and made inappropriate sexual comments and sexual advances toward another female who was not a patient.
Finally, the Board alleged that Dr. Lawrence failed to comply with a Board investigation and/or a Board subpoena in a timely manner. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Dr. Lawrence surrendered his Iowa medical license, received a public reprimand and paid a $7,500 fine.
10 thoughts on “Former Ackley doctor surrenders medical license”
The next investigation will be about the Hampton doctor who was escorted out of Franklin General Hosptial by the sheriff’s department.
Well for your information alot of women in the ackley area are aware of Dr. Lawrence. I heard this 20 some years ago. were these drugs given to the women willingly??? either way it is wrong for someone in the position of power such as a DR., teacher, boss to have relations with someone that may not be fully aware of the situation. weather that be from age, mental extent or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. would the relationship be consenual or forced to keep a job, ect?
Peter L. I don’t understand you. You claim to support the biggest nanny state supporter we have ever had in Obama but then chastise the state government for following the established rules. Without those rules what would protect the innocent females who do not want unsolistitated sexual advances from these worst of their kind predators. They took a oath and then violated it. That means their word is no good and they are untrustworthy. I can see why you need a therapist.
I was referring to patients who willingly date their physicians or therapists. I’m not talking about doctors who make unwanted sexual advances. I’m saying that if a patient likes his/her doctor and the feeling is mutual, I don’t believe the doctor should lose his license for that. I should have been more specific.
Peter L. Appology’s. As I said I didn’t understand you. Clarification makes all things clear. I now agree with you.
But now I’m going to blow your mind. I also feel the same applies to teachers or college professors…even if the person is still in high school but is 18. We hear all the time of teachers losing their license to teach and being prosecuted for having relationships with students. If they are the age of majority 18, then in my opinion the state has nothing to say about it. I remember a biology teacher in my high school, who was rumoured to have had a relationship with a high school girl and he was quietly dismissed. I also knew a guy who claimed to have had numerous sexual encounters with his art teacher. It has happened many times throughout the history of high school and college. Some high school students become 18 while they are still in school. I know many will throw their arms up in the air…but why is it of concern to the State if true romantic feelings develop between student and teacher? Remember, it’s not just high school teachers who are subject to dismissal and prosecution…it’s also college professors. Something about being in a position of authority over someone in the code. First of all…no one should have “authority” over anyone. The whole system is flawed and based on master and servant human relationships. We are all equal. The moment you realize that…most of the prosecutorial tools disappear, and humans go back to just being human. What a concept that would be huh?
Peter-your last comments are a real stretch for me. I can see where you are coming from and tend to somewhat agree but, how do you separate the sexual predators from the true loves. I guess I can see both sides of the argument but don’t know how you would police it to keep the freaks out of the picture. I guess the other issue is the older teacher or therapist using their experience to take advantage of a younger innocent.
Many women only go to the doctor to receive a prescription drug; the doctor is aware of this and it is not unsual to take advantage of this encounter. Maybe in some cases the doctore decided to stop, and the women then turns him in. Hard to place the blame.
Excuse me Mr. Children…many women go to the doctor to receive a prescription drug…that is such a silly statement. I know plenty of men who go to the doctor looking for a prescription drug too! Yikes! Old pharts like you should dry up and blow away!
Go find another therapist! This time find one that can remain objective.
When a therapist gets emotionally involved with a client then therapy stops. What you have then is 2 sick people.
Mr. Peter L, you have a very distorted moral compass! It’s no wonder you have the problems you do.