KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Children's Mercy has notified patients that a former pediatric rheumatologist at one of their facilities has had his medical license suspended after allegations of inappropriate care and sexual misconduct with patients in Michigan.
Dr. Mark Hoeltzel was on staff at Children's Mercy from 2007 to 2013. 41 Action News is not aware of any allegations of inappropriate behavior against Hoeltzel while he worked at Children's Mercy.
41 Action News's sister stationWXYZ looked into the claims against Hoeltzel. WXYZ reports an investigation from state officials in Michigan found multiple cases of inappropriate behavior.
Hoeltzel is accused of sending inappropriate messages to an 11-year-old girl when he worked at the University of Michigan Arthritis Camp in 2004. Her mom reported that the doctor sent the little girl flirtatious and suggestive messages on Yahoo Messenger. The state report says the hospital sent him to a class on having boundaries.
But the state report says inappropriate behavior continued. In 2015 Dr. Hoeltzel allegedly spotted a patient at the hospital under the care of another doctor. He started sending her text messages and convinced her to see him for care. The report says she was under 21 years old in 2016 when the doctor provided her with alcohol while she was on oxycontin and morphine. He allegedly had a sexual relationship with her at his office and at her apartment.
WXYZ also reports that Michigan law enforcement is investigating Hoeltzel.
A Children's Mercy spokesman said the hospital decided to reach out to Hoeltzel's former patients and parents of patients after learning of the allegations from Michigan.
"We know this is disturbing news for our patients and families and we are offering them resources, including an informational webpage and a dedicated phone line and email box staffed by licensed social workers," said Children's Mercy spokesman Jake Jacobson.
It is also conducting a "thorough review" of Hoeltzel's time at Children's Mercy.
Hoeltzel's attorney gave the following statement to WXYZ:
“We’re looking into the status of his medical license and what we are going to do with respect to the suspension. But right now again, it is important to remind everyone that he is presumed innocent,” said Raymond Cassar, Hoeltzel’s attorney.
