November 14, 2007

LANSING - In April 2007, Grand Rapids dermatologist Dr. Robert W. Stokes was tried in U.S. District Court on charges of health care fraud. During the federal government's investigation, it was alleged that Dr. Stokes reused medical instruments including scalpels, gloves, syringes and suture materials on multiple patients. Dr. Stokes has not practiced medicine since April 2007.

Based on the information provided by federal investigators, Dr. Stokes' alleged medical practices may have put patients at risk. Viruses such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV are transmitted through blood or bodily fluids. If these allegations are true and based on the limited data available, the probability of acquiring these infections through reused sutures, syringes and scalpels, is low, but not impossible, said Dr. Greg Holzman, Chief Medical Executive for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

"The only way one can be sure they have not acquired these infections is to be tested," said Dr. Holzman.

For more information on getting tested, please talk to your family doctor or contact your local public health department.