Spartanburg Plastic Surgeon Thomas Roberts Suspended After Misconduct Complaints
Published: November 5, 2009
The SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) says that the State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the license of a Spartanburg Plastic Surgeon after complaints of misconduct.
LLR says Dr. Thomas Roberts III is the head of the Plastic Surgery Center of the Carolinas.
According to documents, Roberts left the operating room for up to 8 hours while patients were under anesthesia. Read document
He’s also accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with staff members who were also his patients.
News Channel 7 stopped by Dr. Roberts’ office… a spokesperson told us Dr. Roberts has already complied with all of the Board’s requirements to have his license reinstated, including a $25,000 fine and ethics training. They’re just waiting on the board’s approval.
If Roberts gets his license back, he must provide quarterly reports to the board, and appear before the board twice a year.
If any other incidents happen during he will be suspended immediately pending a hearing before the board.
Roberts released the following statement:
“The South Carolina State Board of Medical Examiners recently released the final order concerning Dr. Thomas Roberts III in a matter that was initiated nearly a year ago. Concerning said matter, Dr. Roberts decided to waive his right to a formal hearing and, instead, proceeded with agreement to Board’s findings and thus moved forward with compliance of all Board’s conditions and protocols.
Regarding the stated conditions, Dr. Roberts has fully complied with conditions, having paid the costs and fines in August 2009 and completed the ethics course in early October 2009. The director of the ethics course stated of Dr. Roberts, “My overall assessment of Dr. Roberts’s capacities for ethical thinking and insight is without reservation.” A practical/surgical monitoring program has been established and presented to the Board for approval, of which Dr. Roberts eagerly awaits the Board’s approval.
Upon the initial matter in 2008, Dr. Roberts voluntarily entered an program at the nation’s top treatment center, Behavioral Medicine Institute (BMI), and upon successful completion of the treatment in December 2008, the director of the program concluded that “Dr. Roberts could continue to practice plastic surgery without posing any danger to patients or staff. “ In the year since that time, Dr. Roberts has been re-evaluated twice by the BMI team who reinforced their prior positive recommendation.
“I have met all requirements the Board has asked of me and look forward to having the final component of a monitoring program approved and initiated, and therefore complete all Board conditions. I truly regret the grief this has caused to those close to me and greatly appreciate the tremendous support provided to me from my wife, family, staff, colleagues, patients, and friends. ”
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Reader Reactions
Dr. Roberts has been a great surgeon, and done remarkable work for many years, but he crossed a line with patients and employees. There is a difference between taking a break and breaking with your oath.
I feel terrible about the accuations against Dr. roberts. He performed surgery for me years ago that I still get rave reviews about. I never had a problem with his conduct, he was very knowledgeable about my surgery. I’ve recommended several people to him. I hope he can get whatever help he needs to resolve this matter.Everyone goes through something where they need to take a break sometimes. I’m truly shocked. He’s a very good doctor!
I am so appreciative of your time to help me with my delemma. All of you give me courage. Monday I shall pursue all of your legal suggestions and call the State Board of Med. Examiners and the S.C. Bar Assoc. for other thoughts. Group thinking is always better than just one. Thank you again for your support. My generation was raised with: “It’s all your fault.“ This is why I decided I had to be “Rock” rather than “Sand”.
Davsmom,I am glad to see that You, I and Rock agree. Rock you are entitled to live life to the fullest and Davsmom’s advice is onpoint! Another firm for you, Garcia Law Firm.Greenville SC..Prayers are with you…One more thing to add…YOU did nothing wrong! You saved and paid for a procedure to enhance your looks you did not pay for pain and disfigurement! Please know that thoughts and prayers are with you
Rock, there is a standard of care to be met by surgeons, and disfigurement should not be the result of plastic surgery. I suggest you obtain an attorney outside of the upstate, and do so as soon as possible before assets are frozen by a deluge of cases such as your own.
No one is perfect, but it sounds as if your life has been affected too..I pray that you receive some relief
Thank all of you for your suggestions. I shall call Harrison, et.al. on Monday. Please take no offense at the comment regarding lawyers—my father, grandfather, former husband and my son are all lawyers. I am familiar with how things go. My fear is that I might select someone who is tied into the Spartanburg control system. It is very hard to get a favorable verdict against a “hometown boy” if you are an outsider. Even if you get a local attorney they just might be the cousin of opposing council or the defendents third cousin. Then too—when you are the plaintiff against a physician the attorney is always reminded that one day they or a family member just might need the defendant in the OR.
Then there is the jury. What would a jury think of someone that spent all that money for plastic surgery. They do not stop to think that I just might have spent the last 10 years working and saving for it. It is pretty hard to stay in the race if your 60 plus and those whom they keep are young and vibrant. I had better stop. This is beginning to sound like a soap opera.
Blessings to all, Rock
Just because Dr. Roberts is a doctor or unmetionable morals and some lawyers have the same problem doesn’t mean they are all alike.
So, Birds of a feather may flock together but they nest in differnet places.
Meaning - don’t judge someone because they are a lawyer just because you got a bad one. You don’t have to go out of state to find a good lawyer and you don’t have to sign with the first one. Shop around. Call around. They will talk to you over the phone.
Rock the reason I stated that you should use an attorney OUTSIDE of Spartanburg is simply because one has been a member of the community for years. And as you know Birds of a feather will flock together. I have an excellent attorney who is ethical and “hungry” I would love to put you in touch.
Rock,
The group I’ve used is Harrison, White and Graves in Spartanburg, SC. Personal injury lawyer in that group Tom Killorin has done very well for me and several friends.
You could try them.
taja, would you have any idea as to how to find an attorney who would not be willing to “compromise” for money? I live out of state and have no idea. Attorneys are not very trustworthy either. I was married to one for 24 years who knew exactly how to keep and get all the money. Guess I’ll just pray that a path is opened for me and I will know what to do.
I am sure there are many, many other women just like me. I wish I could find them.
Blessings and thank you for your support.
Rock
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