Final word from Toronto Public Health on probing of gynecologist's clinic
Dr. Esther Park, a downtown gynecologist, has been at the centre of controversy after several patients alleged inappropriate and abusive care. However, a recent update from Toronto Public Health (TPH) has provided some reassurance.
In June, The Canadian Press published a story about Dr. Park, which sparked concerns among her patients. As a precaution, TPH sent letters to patients who received endometrial biopsies, IUD insertions, or had cervical growths removed at Park's clinic between October 10, 2020, and October 10, 2024, suggesting they get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
As of the end of August, approximately 2,600 letters were sent, and 622 test results were received. The good news is that no HIV infections were detected in the test results. Similarly, no active hepatitis C infections were found. While nine patients were identified with hepatitis B by TPH, these were previously known cases and not acquired at the clinic.
TPH has tested about a quarter of the patients potentially exposed to blood-borne viruses, and so far, no infections have been detected. However, TPH continues to recommend that patients who underwent higher-risk procedures between October 10, 2020, and October 10, 2024, get tested and consult with their doctor.
It's important to note that I do not have access to specific patient data from Dr. Esther Park's practice regarding high-risk treatments or testing results between October 10, 2020, and October 10, 2024.
Dr. Esther Park's licence was restricted to office-based gynecology on December 17, 2024, and she resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario on April 30, 2025. The final report on Dr. Park from Toronto Public Health was released a year after a patient complaint was notified last September.
The Canadian Press, which is solely responsible for the content of the story about Dr. Esther Park, has been providing health coverage with support from the Canadian Medical Association. This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
