DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES
regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or
unprofessional.
Dr. Drone is a physician who currently practises as
an anesthetist in Kitchener. He received his certifi-
cate of registration authorizing independent practice
in Ontario in 1994. At the time of the incidents
described below, Dr. Drone was a member of the
Ontario Medical Association (OMA).
TENTATIVE PHYSICIAN SERVICES
AGREEMENT (tPSA)
On July 11 2016, the OMA and the Ontario govern-
ment reached a tentative agreement dealing with gov-
ernment funding for physician services and changes
to the physician fee schedule, among other issues,
tPSA. The tPSA was endorsed by the OMA’s Board,
including by Dr. Virginia Walley, who was Presi-
dent of the OMA at the time. The OMA promoted
the agreement in the weeks leading up to a general
meeting, which took place on August 14, 2016. On
August 14, 2016, the OMA membership voted to
reject the tPSA.
DR. DRONE’S EMAILS
Between June 21 and August 11, 2016, in response
to the OMA’s support of the tPSA, Dr. Drone sent a
series of emails to Dr. Walley’s personal email ad-
dress, as well as to an email address used by OMA
staff, including Dr. Walley, to communicate publicly
about the tPSA.
The following are excerpts from the emails:
- June 21, 2016: “… do your paid job and stop let-
ting this horrible government f**k us around!!!
Enough already!! Listen to everyone!! Holy f**k. For
f**ks sake??? F**k!!!”
- June 28, 2016: “… You suck!!! SUCK!!”
- August 1, 2016: “Dr. Walley, you are a c**t. Crash
and burn as you deserve to do!! … Sincerely,
F**K YOU and the OMA!!! Dr. Drone”
- August 10, 2016: “F**k you!”
- August 11, 2016: at 6:06 pm: “F**k-off Virginia”;
6:08 pm: “F**k-off!”; 6:09 pm: “F**k-off!”
The emails sent by Dr. Drone were viewed by Dr.
Walley as well as OMA staff who monitored the tPSA
email address.
Dr. Drone has no prior disciplinary history before
the Discipline Committee. He provided two respons-
es during the investigation, in which he apologized
to Dr. Walley and acknowledged that his conduct
was unacceptable. He also undertook professional
communication coaching to develop skills related to
professional communication in challenging scenarios,
specifically with colleagues. On October 2017, Dr.
Drone successfully completed the PROBE Ethics and
Boundaries Course for physicians.
ORDER
The Committee ordered: a one-month suspension; a rep-
rimand; and payment to the College for costs of $6,000.
For complete details, please see the full decision at
www.cpso.on.ca. Select Find a Doctor and enter the
doctor’s name.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Dr. Drone waived his
right to an appeal and the Committee administered the
public reprimand.
DR. CATHY SHEILA FRANK
PRACTICE LOCATION: London
AREA OF PRACTICE: Obstetrics/Gynecology
HEARING INFORMATION: Admission; Agreed Statement of
Facts; Joint Submission on Penalty
On February 26, 2018, the Discipline Committee
found that Dr. Frank committed an act of profes-
sional misconduct, in that she failed to maintain the
standard of practice of the profession. The Commit-
tee also found that Dr. Frank was incompetent in her
professional care of 24 patients.
Dr. Frank is an obstetrician and gynecologist who
received her certificate of registration authorizing
independent practice from this College in June 2002.
At the relevant time, she practised in St. Thomas
and/or London.
Between 2009 and 2012, more than 30 patients
filed complaints with the College regarding their
treatment by Dr. Frank. Investigations into the pa-
ISSUE 4, 2018 DIALOGUE
59