More than a decade ago, Kristin Fritz visited a rheumatologist recommended by her doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She was 37 years old at the time and was struggling with pain in her spine. The visit started normally, but as Dr. Derrick Todd progressed with the examination, he began aggressively groping her breasts to the point where it was uncomfortable and felt wrong. Fritz did not realize at the time that a line had been crossed, but when contacted by the hospital about Todd last year, she understood that she had been violated. Fritz is one of more than 200 women and several men who have joined a consolidated lawsuit against Todd, accusing him of performing unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and rectal examinations on patients.
The lawsuit alleges that Todd began abusing patients in 2010, and several dozen other defendants, including Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Charles River Medical Associates, were aware of the abuse but failed to stop it. William Thompson of Lubin & Meyer, the law firm representing most of the victims, described the case as an extraordinary number of people who had their trust violated by Todd for his own personal gratification. The fact that the abuse went on for so long without anyone noticing raises questions about the oversight at the hospital and the medical practice group. Todd’s lawyer, Anthony Abeln, stated that his client would defend his care as the case progresses through the Massachusetts Superior Court system.
In April 2023, Brigham and Women’s received two anonymous complaints about Todd and launched an internal investigation. Todd was instructed not to conduct sensitive exams without a chaperone and was placed on administrative leave in June before being terminated a month later. The hospital also notified the Department of Public Health, the state Board of Registration in Medicine, law enforcement, and Todd’s current and former patients. Todd reached a voluntary agreement with the Board of Registration in Medicine in September to stop practicing medicine anywhere in the country. Although no criminal charges have been filed against him, former patients have been interviewed by law enforcement.
The lawsuit alleged that Todd would gain the confidence of his patients, go beyond treating their rheumatic diseases, and conduct invasive and unnecessary exams. Victims ranged in age from teenagers to women in their 60s and reported feeling violated and uncomfortable during their interactions with Todd. The lawsuit also mentioned a 33-year-old Massachusetts woman who struggled to find a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic and was thrilled when Todd called to help her with her symptoms. However, over two years, Todd became her primary doctor, gynecologist, and the abuse intensified with repeated vaginal exams. She reported Todd to the medical board after discussing his behavior with her gynecologist and realizing something was wrong.
Since learning about the extent of Todd’s abuse and his agreement to stop practicing medicine, the 33-year-old woman said a weight has been lifted off her chest, but she still struggles to cope with the trauma. Fritz, on the other hand, acknowledged that the experience will stay with her for the rest of her life but takes solace in the fact that Todd is facing consequences for his actions. She believes that justice would be served by Todd never being able to practice medicine again to prevent further harm to patients. The hospital and medical practice group involved in the case expressed deep concern over the allegations and stated that they would act decisively on any allegations of misconduct.
