Topeka Capital-Journal (Kansas)
October 29, 2008 Wednesday
Board recommends sanctions
By Tim Carpenter

A report released Tuesday by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts recommends revocation of the license or other sanctions against a Johnson County psychiatrist accused of professional misconduct.

A Kansas City, Mo., law firm retained by the board submitted a 23-count petition targeting Douglas Geenens, who trained at Menninger Clinic in Topeka and was chronicled in a series of articles in The Topeka Capital-Journal about licensed medical personnel whose conduct raised regulatory questions for the state.

The new petition outlining evidence against Geenens recommended the board “revoke, suspend or otherwise limit” his license. The board also could fine Geenens.

In a 30-page summary prepared by attorney Jeff Heinrichs, nearly two dozen people offered evidence against Geenens. According to the petition, Geenens engaged in negligent medical care, sexual exploitation, improper dispensing of controlled substances and failed to maintain proper records.

Interaction with patients linked to the complaints dates to 1995.

The names of most people alleging misconduct remain confidential, but two were named because they had publicly expressed criticism of Geenens. They are Rory Murphy, one of Geenens’ former business partners, and Andy Jacobs, the former husband of one of Geenens’ patients.

“His license should be revoked,” Jacobs said. “Bottom line for anyone that has these types of violations.”

Geenens couldn’t be reached Tuesday at his office in Leawood, but he said in a previous interview that medical professionals were subject to extensive oversight while people filing complaints weren’t required to “undergo any assessment.”

Despite the ongoing investigation, the Board of Healing Arts renewed Geenens’ state medical license Oct. 1.

In 2004, Geenens’ license was suspended by Kansas for one week following a determination that he had a sexual relationship with a one-time patient. Geenens also was reprimanded by Missouri regulators, but avoided harsh sanctions by retiring his medical license in that state.

Geenens was among four Kansas-licensed doctors profiled by The Capital-Journal in March. The articles captured discontent with handling of complaints by the Board of Healing Arts. The House and Senate responded by passing resolutions calling on the 15-member board to implement reform. The board’s executive director and top attorney resigned.

In April, board members met behind closed doors with Geenens. It will be up to the board to determine whether the new petition warrants disciplinary action.