New Jersey gynecologist accused of inappropriately touching two patients – NBC New York

A New Jersey obstetrician-gynecologist is accused of inappropriately touching at least two of his patients, officials said.

The State Board of Medical Examiners has temporarily suspended the license of Bruce Pierce, an obstetrician-gynecologist who practiced at Delaware Valley OBGYN & Princeton Midwifery in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Investigators said Pierce inappropriately touched two longtime patients during exams in 2023.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.

The first victim told investigators she had been Pierce’s patient since the mid-1990s. She said Pierce performed a normal breast, pelvic and rectal exam on her in January 2023 in the presence of a female chaperone. The victim said Pierce then dismissed the escort and asked her if he could repeat the exam.

When the woman asked why that was necessary, Pierce allegedly told her, “Sometimes things change as we get older” and that he wanted to “check things again to be sure.” Pierce then had the woman during the second Investigation inappropriately touched, investigators said.

The woman said she left the office feeling violated and knowing something was wrong during the second exam. After speaking with family members and a work supervisor, she reported the incident to Lawrence Township police and filed a complaint with the State Board of Medical Examiners. She also said the experience had a negative impact on her life and emotional health.

The second alleged incident occurred in December 2023. The victim told investigators that she made an appointment with Pierce after suffering from pelvic pain. After an ultrasound with a lab technician, the woman was taken to an exam room where she was met by Pierce, investigators said.

According to investigators, Pierce told the woman that her ultrasound looked good and asked her if she wanted a female chaperone while he examined her. The woman refused the companionship, telling investigators she trusted Pierce, who had been her gynecologist for more than 20 years and had even delivered her child. She also said that chaperones were always present at the past exams.

As Pierce examined the woman, he touched her inappropriately until she asked him to stop, investigators said. The woman said Pierce called her on her cell phone about two hours later and asked if she was OK. She told investigators she was still upset about what happened and quickly ended the conversation, suggesting she was “fine.”

The woman said she sent Pierce another text message two days later, telling him that her feelings of shock had turned to “anger and disgust.” She told Pierce his behavior was “unprofessional and unacceptable” and accused him of abusing “her goodwill.” She also told Pierce that she would never visit his office again and expressed concern that he might commit similar misconduct with other patients, investigators said.

“Okay, I’m so sorry, I upset you. That will never happen again. I really value our relationship with doctors and patients that has spanned over 20 years. Thank you for not making it public,” Pierce allegedly texted the woman in response. “My career will be over and I don’t know what I would do. I hope you can forgive me. That will never happen again. I understand that you are leaving the practice, but I hope you will reconsider and give me another chance.”

The woman then reported the incident to the State Board of Medical Examiners. The woman also told investigators that the incident caused her great concern and caused distrust of medical professionals.

During a hearing before the State Board of Medical Examiners on November 13, 2024, attorneys from the New Jersey Division of Law’s Professional Boards Prosecution requested the temporary suspension of Pierce’s license on the grounds that allowing him to continue to practice constituted a “clear Decision “would pose imminent danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public.”

The board then requested a temporary suspension.

“We found each patient’s testimony credible, frightening and convincing,” the board wrote in its order. “(Pierce) has engaged in conduct that is completely inconsistent with medical practice and completely inconsistent with all medical obligations not to cause harm to his patients. This behavior undoubtedly poses a continuing and imminent danger to all (Pierce’s) patients. Short of a complete, immediate temporary license suspension, we could not take any action that would adequately protect (Pierce’s) patients from such egregious behavior.”

Although Pierce’s driver’s license has been temporarily revoked, officials have not yet announced whether he will face criminal charges.

Any patient who believes they have received inappropriate treatment from a licensed health care professional may file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs at its website or by telephone at 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.