The Georgia Composite Medical Board suspended the medical license of Windell Davis-Boutte, MD, June 7, claiming the dermatologist "poses a threat to the public health, safety and welfare" after videos of her dancing and singing while performing surgery were released to the media, The New York Times reports.
Here are six things to know:
1. Dr. Davis-Boutte is medical director and CEO of Boutte Contour Surgery & Skin in Lilburn, Ga., who sought to be known as the "dancing doctor," according to former patient Latoyah Rideau. Ms. Rideau told the publication she plans to join at least nine other patients in a lawsuit against Dr. Davis-Boutte claiming negligence, according to the report.
2. The state medical board said June 7 it "received reliable information" last week that one of Dr. Davis-Boutte's patients was hospitalized in May one day after undergoing a liposuction, breast augmentation and butt lift operation and suffered a collapsed lung and anemia due to acute blood loss. The board concluded Dr. Davis-Boutte "failed to conform to the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice," the report states.
3. A lawyer who has been involved in litigation against Dr. Davis-Boutte for two and a half years told The New York Times at least 100 individuals have come forward to complain about the physician. The lawyer has filed four complaints against Dr. Davis-Boutte and went public with the lawsuits in May. She also made the 20-plus videos Dr. Davis-Boutte filmed while performing surgery available to the media earlier this year.
"It was gross. And to know that she never stopped dancing while she was doing my procedure goes to show why my body is disfigured and messed up," Ms. Rideau told The New York Times of the video Dr. Davis-Boutte filmed while performing surgery on her.
3. The Composite State Board of Medical Examiners' physician profile of Dr. Davis-Boutte notes she was named in four medical malpractice settlements between October 2017 and February 2018, ranging from $95,000 to $1 million.
4. In a statement one day before the medical board's decision, a publicist for Dr. Davis-Boutte told The New York Times the dermatologist was a "known expert in this field" with "decades of experience and a countless number of clients." The publicist also said Dr. Davis-Boutte "is authorized to perform cosmetic surgery" and that "she is dedicated and committed to giving her clients the utmost professional, masterful surgical expertise and experience."
5. However, the publicist told the publication, "Since the suspension, [Dr. Davis-Boutte is] not able to comment at this time."
6. During an interview with HLN June 8, Dr. Davis-Boutte reportedly said she had "done nothing wrong" and that as a surgeon she is "supposed to be able to multitask," according to the report.
To access the full report, click here.