BY KEITH LACEY
[email protected]
One week before he’s to be sentenced in criminal court, a Sudbury
doctor has had his license to practice medicine revoked.
Dr. Richard Nanka-Bruce, 62, had his medical certificate to
practice medicine revoked Wednesday by the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). This is the harshest penalty
imposed by the college, said Kathryn Clarke, CPSO senior
communications co-ordinator.
In January, Nanka-Bruce was found guilty by Justice
Ian Gordon of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Sudbury of
two counts of sexual assault and two counts of indecent
assault.
Assistant Crown attorney Diana Fuller told the court in January she
will be seeking a lengthy jail sentence against Nanka-Bruce when
he’s sentenced on those four convictions March 29.
Nanka-Bruce did not attend Wednesday’s hearing before the
college’s discipline committee, but was represented by Ottawa
lawyer William Vanveen.
The college’s prosecutor read in an agreed statement of facts
and admissions, which was not opposed by Vanveen, said
Clarke.
In the statement, Nanka-Bruce admitted being found guilty and
having criminal convictions registered in criminal court
constituted professional misconduct, said Clarke.
The discipline committee accepted a joint proposal that
Nanka-Bruce have his licence to practise medicine revoked. He
will not be able to apply for reinstatement with the college for a
minimum of five years, the harshest penalty imposed by the college,
said Clarke.
“The law in this province provides that doctors who have had
their licence revoked can apply for reinstatement,” she said. “In
this case, the timetable for any application for reinstatement was
set at five years, which is the maximum penalty the college can
impose.”
Nanka-Bruce’s admission of professional misconduct resulted in
charges of sexual impropriety brought against him by the college
being withdrawn and saved several witnesses from having to testify
before the discipline committee, said Clarke.
Nanka-Bruce was found guilty of sexually stimulating female
patients while conducting internal examinations. Much of the sexual
impropriety took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Nanka-Bruce has remained free since being found guilty in criminal court. Next Wednesday’s sentencing hearing before Gordon is expected to last a full day.
