Toronto gynecologist linked to infection exposure resigns from college amid investigations
Dr. Esther Park, a Toronto gynecologist, has resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario after thousands of patients were potentially exposed to blood-borne infections at her clinic. The investigation by the CPSO was initiated following two public complaints regarding her care of two patients.
The resignation of Dr. Park was effective April 30, 2025, and she has agreed never to reapply for registration as a physician in Ontario or any other jurisdiction. This decision comes in the wake of a notification from the CPSO regarding the investigation into her practice.
Earlier this year, around 2,500 patients were notified by Toronto Public Health (TPH) about the potential exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV at Park’s clinic due to improper cleaning protocols. This included issues such as speculums not being dissembled before cleaning and significant overdilution of disinfecting solutions.
Dr. Herveen Sachdeva, the city’s associate medical officer of health at TPH, stated that results for approximately 430 patients have been received so far. The investigation by TPH remains independent of the CPSO, and no infections have been confirmed to be linked to the clinic at this time.
Following the public notification, several patients came forward with negative experiences with Dr. Park. While the exact number of complaints filed with the CPSO is undisclosed, patients like Zahra Bakhsh and Karin Martin expressed frustration over the lack of communication and accountability in the process.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario emphasized that resignations or expired registrations do not prevent them from investigating concerns or complaints about the care provided by a physician. Patients are encouraged to file complaints to ensure the safety of others.
Despite multiple attempts to contact the clinic, there has been no response. The clinic’s answering machine indicates that Park’s office closed as of April 16. Natalie Mehra, executive director of The Ontario Health Coalition, highlighted the importance of filing complaints to protect patients but acknowledged the challenges in seeing disciplinary actions take place.
In conclusion, the resignation of Dr. Esther Park from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario raises questions about accountability and patient safety. The ongoing investigation by Toronto Public Health underscores the need for transparency and communication in addressing concerns about medical practices.
