A former pediatric rheumatologist at the Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan is under investigation for possession of child pornography and could lose his license amid allegations he had a sexual relationship with a young patient, according to All About Ann Arbor.
After receiving a complaint of misconduct in December, local authorities searched the home of Mark Hoelztel, MD, and found a flash drive containing over 200 images of child pornography. They also found dozens more images saved to his laptop.
Dr. Hoelztel first got into trouble in 2004 for exchanging flirtatious social media messages with an 11 year-old girl he met at a University of Michigan arthritis camp. He did not face disciplinary action and was instead sent to a boundaries course.
A criminal complaint against Dr. Hoeltzel alleges he also engaged in a sexual relationship with a young patient beginning in 2016, with some of those encounters taking place during appointments. The patient was 18 years old when the relationship began, and Dr. Hoeltzel would allegedly prescribe the patient oxycontin and morphine and also supply alcohol during their appointments.
"Dr. Mark Hoeltzel is no longer employed by Michigan Medicine. These are serious allegations, and we are taking steps to protect our patients. Their well being is our highest priority," the University of Michigan wrote in a statement, according to All About Ann Arbor. "We know this is disturbing news for our patients, and we have reached out to them to offer resources."