A gynecologist at John’s Hopkins Hospital is accused of using a hidden camera on patients during routine appointments. An employee who was suspicious of a mysterious pen that Dr. Nikita Levy wore around his neck reported his concerns to administration. Indeed, it was found that Dr. Levy was recording women coming to him for routine exams and other medical needs. As the administrators at John’s Hopkins turned over their findings to police, inciting an investigation into horrific videos, police found, “that at least some of the images were captured with a camera hidden in the top of a pen,” and “authorities were exploring whether the recordings had been distributed.” As the investigation continued to unfold, Dr. Levy ended it all by taking his life in his Maryland home.
While Dr. Levy’s troubles might be done in this life, the hospital which he worked may be facing the fallout of his actions. Patients violated by the doctor’s actions are considering filing a class action lawsuit against the hospital. Investigators and other law enforcement agents on the case are currently working to determine whether the gynecologist who hid a pen was collaborating with anyone else to make the videos. If there were others involved in this invasive crime, authorities have vowed to find out whether or not the videos have been posted on the internet or sold.
The unbelievable actions of Dr. Levy, also known as the gynecologist who hid a pen to record patients, is sparking concern in women about their privacy and, frankly, safety when visiting the doctor. If this could happen in one of the country’s most prestigious and highly regarded hospitals, then what are the chances it could happen somewhere else?
In most cases, gynecologists perform all procedures in the presence of a nurse, who is usually always female. This is a quality control measure that has surely helped many women become more at ease with the uncomfortable check-ups. It was this extra measure, in fact, that lead to Dr. Levy begin caught. His nurse reported him and his suspicious pen to hospital administrators, sparking the investigation.
She told hospital administrators of her suspicions Feb. 4, according to a letter from the John’s Hopkins hospital’s CEO, Dr. Paul B. Rothman. The letter was sent to the law firm of Silverman Thompson Slutkin & White, which is working with patients who consulted the Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center.
In Rothman’s letter, he said employee who worked closely with Dr. Levy had noticed what she believed to be a device, similar to a writing pen, that the doctor had worn around his neck while performing examinations. She said she thought the device might have a camera.
The hospital CEO went on to details that Hopkins security personnel questioned Levy at his office on Feb. 5, one day after the complaint was made. The pens and other devices similar to the one detailed by the employee were seen in the office and on Levy during the initial investigation by Hopkins security staff. As a result of the findings, Levy was relieved from duty, effective immediately, and escorted off hospital grounds. Hopkins notified Baltimore police the following day and investigators seized a sizable amount of multimedia evidence. Since this story broke, more than 2,000 patients and former patients of Levy have called a hotline established by the hospital.
So what should you do if you suspect your doctor is behaving in an unethical manner? First, be sure to always have a nurse present when visiting a gynecologist, even if your practitioner is a woman. Second, speak up immediately. Alert either a nurse, another doctor, the front desk or security personnel. The case of the gynecologist with the hidden pen is definitely unusual and uncommon. Should you be worried about something similar happening at your doctor’s office? Not likely. However, always be sure to trust your instincts.
