SVMHS doctor charged with sexual battery on patient

A Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System cardiologist is facing charges of sexual battery and is being sued in a civil case by a woman who was both a patient of the doctor and an employee of SVMHS.

The lawsuit, by former SVMHS employee Regina Linares, alleges Dr. Robert Wlodarczyk, “fondled (the) Plaintiff’s breasts,” when operating on her for a cardiac catheterization procedure, on October 21, 2016. The civil suit says Linares was unconscious.

It also lists SVMHS as a defendant.

The criminal case, filed by the District Attorney of Monterey County, does not include Linares’ name, but refers to the same date when saying Dr. Wlodarczyk “willfully and unlawfully touch an intimate part of (the Plaintiff), against the will and for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification and sexual abuse.”

The 20-page civil complaint, written by her attorney Dana Scruggs, says the 2016 incident was witnessed by two medical personnel who “immediately reported this inappropriate behavior to SVMHS authorities.” However, it claims Linares was “not informed of the sexual battery” until November 7, 2016, and then was “required to have continuing contact with Dr. Wlodarczyk, including hearing the doctor paged over the hospital loudspeaker and personal encounters.”

The complaint also alleges SVMHS knew of previous allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct against Dr. Wlodarczyk, but “negligently failed to appropriately investigate these reports.” It later stated SVMHS “did nothing to deter or discipline the doctor’s conduct, and instead renewed his hospital privileges at SVMHS on November 10, 2016,” and Linares was instructed by “hospital management” to “not look at him, and instead walk the other way” after she complained about continued interactions with Dr. Wlodarczyk.

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System sent KION the following statement:

“Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System recognizes the serious nature of these allegations. As soon as the Healthcare System was made aware of the issues raised here, we informed the Salinas Police Department as well as the California Department of Public Health. We are assisting and cooperating with all investigations into the issues presented. Because of strict state and federal laws protecting patient rights and personnel matters, we are not able to comment further on these allegations.

Patient and employee safety are of the highest importance at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, as evidenced by the multiple processes, procedures, and system requirements in place throughout our Healthcare System, which are intended to assure such safety.”

A press release by Linares’ attorney, Scruggs, says Linares quit her job at the Salinas Valley Memorial after 17 years, citing emotional stress suffered “from her hostile workplace environment.” The release also says Linares has filed complaints with the California Medical Board.

Wlodarczyk’s criminal charge, sexual battery, is a misdemeanor – according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.