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Army notifies Patients of Gynecologist Under Investigation for Secretly Filming Examinations
Hawaii and Texas-based patients of Dr. Blaine McGraw are being alerted to a criminal investigation involving allegations of illicit recordings during medical appointments.
An Army hospital in Hawaii will begin notifying former patients of gynecologist Dr.Blaine McGraw, who is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly filming women during examinations. The outreach comes as the scope of the investigation expands from fort Hood,Texas,where McGraw most recently practiced,to include his previous work at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii from June 2019 to June 2023.
The announcement from Tripler Army Medical Center signifies a significant step in addressing potential privacy violations and providing support to affected individuals. According to a source familiar with the matter, the first notifications are expected to be sent out Friday, potentially reaching over 1,500 former patients. The exact number is still being finalized, and it remains unclear how many, if any, are confirmed victims of the alleged crimes.
“Our patients’ health remains our absolute top priority,” stated Col. William Bimson, director of Tripler Army Medical Center. “I know this facts is incredibly upsetting to them, and we are here to provide support. We have many resources to offer, and we want to hear their concerns and help them get the medical care and other support they need.” The hospital will provide resources to help former patients understand the investigation, file concerns, and access medical and emotional support.
The investigation into Dr. McGraw’s conduct began five weeks ago after officials at Fort Hood suspended him. Col. Mark Jacques,commander of the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, previously informed over 1,400 of McGraw’s patients about the probe.As of earlier this month, approximately 85 patients had contacted the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), though it is not yet confirmed whether all were victims of misconduct.
Reports indicate that Army investigators have identified at least 30 women who were allegedly photographed or videotaped by McGraw during examinations, according to information shared with a patient by investigators and two Army officials.
Daniel Conway, an attorney representing Dr. McGraw, did not promptly respond to requests for comment regarding the Hawaii hospital’s notification efforts. however, Conway has previously stated that his client has been “fully cooperative with the investigation.” He also expressed concern over what he described as “inaccurate information” being disseminated by plaintiffs’ attorneys, urging caution until the investigation is complete.
The unfolding situation has also prompted a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a former Fort Hood patient, identified as Jane Doe to protect her privacy. The lawsuit alleges that McGraw recorded intimate videos of her without her consent and accuses Army leadership of failing to address prior complaints about his behavior. The suit further claims instances of inappropriate touching,crude remarks,and needless medical procedures performed on multiple patients.
Col. Jacques, who assumed command of Darnall Army Medical Center in June, stated he was unaware of any previous complaints regarding Dr. McGraw. “I’m devastated that these patients and their families have to endure this and have to go through this,” he said.
NBC News has interviewed two women, including Jane Doe, who shared their experiences with Army CID, stating that investigators presented them with images found on McGraw’
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