Inuvik doctor Peter Boronowski 'blindsided' by departure
An Inuvik doctor says he was "blindsided" and fighting for his name after being let go from the community's hospital following 10 years of service.
Dr. Peter Boronowski says he was not simply asked to leave his post in July, but that the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services authority is also taking him to the territory's credentials committee, potentially affecting his ability to work in other hospitals.
"To suddenly have all of this taken away from you and your ability to practice in the future taken away from you is wrong," says Boronowski.
Boronowski is the doctor of choice for many people in the community of Inuvik, including resident Abdallah Elbekai.
"Believe me when I say this, I feel very very upset," says Elbekai, referring to his doctor's departure from the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services authority.
'Blindsided'
According to Boronowski, his issues began in June of 2015, when health authority CEO Arlene Jorgenson brought him into her office.
"There, I was told that colleagues had complained about my practice, and also about my professionalism," he said. "That was called being blindsided."
In the past, Boronowski says, he's aware of two complaints colleagues made against him.
The first was for teaching medical practices to trainee doctors that the hospital told him the students didn't need to know. According to Boronowski, the processes were intubations, a method of operating in a patient's airway without blocking it, and vacuum forceps, a method of delivering a baby when an exhausted mother doesn't have the energy to push any more.
The second complaint came after writing two letters of support as a doctor for his patients, who were also hospital employees.
After the meeting with Jorgenson, Boronowski says he was taken off the schedule for anesthesia and obstetrics, areas he usually worked. However, he continued to practice as a doctor and saw patients regularly.
Later in July, when he was on vacation, Boronowski says he received a letter from the health authority asking him not to return. Hospital senior staff also informed him they were taking him to the Northwest Territories credentials committee, which is responsible for approving physicians to practice in the territory.
Legal action may be next
Boronowski, who sits on the credentials committee, says no one told him why he was being investigated, which violates the health authority's own by-laws.
"If there are complaints there is a method in Canada to do that," he said. "And the complaints are given to the physician in writing. And then they have an opportunity to answer those complaints."
Once a doctor's credentials are brought before the committee, said Boronowski, it's hard to ever get another job in another hospital, potentially affecting his ability to practice in the future.
"There will be a black mark against my name; never having seen what I am accused of," he said.
Boronowski's lawyer has written a letter to the health authority requesting it reconsider taking the doctor before the committee. If the health authority doesn't indicate in writing that its withdrawing its application, Boronowski says he will be taking legal action against his former employer.
"I have to get them to withdraw," he said. "Otherwise you have to go to the next step.
"It could've been so easily done by just saying: 'you know, Peter, we really don't want you back. Can you make July your last day?'"
Boronowski says he'll stay in Inuvik until mid-September to say goodbye to his friends and patients. He also plans to attend a community feast in his honour that's being organized by Inuvik Boot-Lake MLA Alfred Moses.
The health authority tells CBC News it wishes Boronowski the best. However they cannot comment further on the details of their former employee's departure
