Former Winnipeg doctor convicted of sexually assaulting patients has licence reinstatement denied

Amir Ravesh is shown in an undated photo.

A former Winnipeg doctor who sexually assaulted six patients has been denied in his application to have his licence to practise medicine reinstated.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba issued a decision on March 14 regarding Dr. Amir Mazhari Ravesh’s application, who argued in part he should have his certificate reinstated due to a shortage of family physicians in the province.

“The Registrar’s view was that it would be wholly inappropriate to reinstate Dr. Ravesh’s Certificate of Registration given the convictions, and the manner in which Dr. Ravesh abused his position of power as a physician over vulnerable, female patients,” the decision said.

According to a written decision from the college’s executive committee panel, Ravesh’s certificate was initially cancelled in January 2021 after he was criminally convicted of sexually assaulting six female patients during medical examinations at a Winnipeg walk-in clinic.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2020.

Ravesh later unsuccessfully appealed to the Manitoba Court of Appeal in 2022.

The decision notes Ravesh has since been released on parole.

In Ravesh’s written submission, the former doctor included excerpts of risk assessment reports by a forensic psychiatrist and forensic psychologist that were used in his parole hearing, excerpts of medical charts and log sheets from his former clinic, and letters of support.

He also noted he had no disciplinary record with the college prior to his conviction.

Should he be reinstated, Ravesh proposed he be restricted to only accepting male patients under the age of 18.

In its decision denying Ravesh’s application, the panel wrote the former doctor has not been adequately rehabilitated, as he has failed to acknowledge responsibility for his actions.

Ravesh’s submissions focused primarily on the criminal proceedings leading to his convictions, the committee said, and his view that he was treated unfairly by the justice system. He also denied to the panel he had committed the assaults.

“Dr. Ravesh denied having done anything wrong. His submissions to the panel indicate that he has not yet realized or accepted the import of these convictions and the harm he caused to his patients,” the decision read.

The panel said there are no conditions or restrictions that could be placed on Dr. Ravesh’s licence that would ensure the public was protected.

The committee also said Ravesh does not meet the good character requirements to be a registrant of the college, having violated the fundamental principles of medical ethics, trust and human decency.

The decision can be read on the college’s website.