The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice suspended the medical license of a doctor who’s worked in the Brainerd lakes area for nearly 40 years over unethical conduct involving sexual contact with a patient.
Dr. Peter Dunphy, most recently based in Essentia Health’s Hackensack clinic, was reprimanded and ordered to pay a $7,639.50 civil penalty following a board inquiry into the conduct. The May disciplinary action described the nature of misconduct as “engaging in unethical or improper conduct; engaging in conduct that failed to conform to the minimal standards of acceptable medical practice; and engaging in sexual conduct with a patient.”
There was no further specific information concerning the nature of the conduct included in the order.
In an email, Dunphy described the disciplinary action against him: “I was reprimanded by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and my license was suspended. I’ve been asked to complete coursework and write and submit a paper for review and approval, after which I may petition for reinstatement. Thank you for the opportunity to reply, but at this time I have no further comment.”
The coursework required of Dunphy covers professional boundaries and medical ethics. In the paper he’s required to submit, Dunphy is expected to describe what he learned from the coursework, how that knowledge applies to the facts of the case and how the behavior will never happen again.
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Dunphy is not permitted to practice medicine or surgery in the state of Minnesota during the suspension, and he cannot petition for reinstatement of an unconditional license until at least six months following the May order. When petitioning, Dunphy will be required to appear before the complaint review committee to discuss the petition and practice plans. At that point, the committee may recommend the board continue, modify or remove the suspension or impose conditions and restrictions as deemed necessary.
Contacted Friday, Aug. 14, Essentia Health issued a statement reporting Dunphy’s employment with Essentia was terminated in May.
Dunphy started his career in medicine in 1981 at Brainerd Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and did his residency at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center.
