(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — In seven lawsuits, OB-GYN Dr. Vernon Cannon and his employer, DuPage Medical Group — now under the name Duly Health and Care — have been accused of misconduct during patient visits.
Five of the complaints, filed on Wednesday morning, alleged intoxication and sexual abuse.
One of the victims, Karin Stortz, said Cannon was noticeably intoxicated during a prenatal appointment in Wheaton.
"[He had] dilated pupils, slurred speech and wasn't even making very good eye contact with me," Stortz said.
At first, she shrugged off the interaction, but after hearing about a previous lawsuit filed in 2020 by another victim, she decided to come forward.
"I heard about this case of Jane Doe, and it was brought to my attention that he was somehow still practicing, and that nothing had been done," Stortz added.
Chicago-based law firm Hurley McKenna & Mertz discovered that several patients had complained about Cannon as part of a post-patient care survey.
"What the evidence has shown so far is that patients were complaining about Dr. Cannon to DuPage Medical Group that he was intoxicated, or that he was slurring his words, or that he wasn't able to make medical evaluations," said attorney Michael Mertz. "In response to these complaints, the only thing was they told Dr. Cannon he wasn't making enough money for the clinic."
Despite the accusations, the lawsuits allege DuPage Medical Group negligently retained Dr. Cannon without any direct discipline.
"DuPage Medical Group is owned by a big hedge fund, and what we think the evidence will show is that they place profits over people, profits over patients," added Mertz.
Stortz said she hopes this legal battle will bring accountability.
"Everybody wants to feel safe when they go to their doctor," said Stortz. "So, I'm here to encourage anybody who thought at their appointment that something was off, something was wrong — I'm here to encourage those people to come forward."
Duly Health and Care previously told WBBM it doesn't comment on legal matters, but a spokesperson did confirm Cannon is no longer with the organization.
However, Hurley McKenna & Mertz said Cannon still has his medical license.
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