MEMPHIS, TN (Meredith) — A psychiatrist in Tennessee had her license suspended for allegedly whipping at the very least 10 sufferers and referring to them as “mules.”
The Tennessee Department of Health suspended Dr. Valerie Augustus’ medical license after discovering out about her abusive actions with a number of sufferers in 2015, WMC studies. The health division discovered that Augustus allegedly whipped her sufferers with a using crop, whips and different objects.
Augustus is a licensed doctor and is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as an grownup psychiatrist.
Augustus works at her personal personal follow, known as Christian Psychiatrist Services in Germantown, Tennessee, which is simply lower than 30 minutes east of Memphis. Christian Psychiatrist Services’ website states that Augustus has been in personal follow for greater than 15 years.
The web site stated Augustus has a “holistic approach to mental health.” The follow’s mission statement contains professionalism, which it stated:
“We are committed to empowering staff through a pleasant work atmosphere that encourages professionalism and positive attitudes. We are committed to not only providing superb patient care but also an exceptional experience throughout the patient’s entire course of care. While it is important to be recognized for quality and knowledge, it is also essential to leave our patients with a positive view of our entire organization from the way we dress to the way we speak.”
The report filed by the health division stated at the very least one of many abused sufferers got here to Augustus with “major depression as a result of a history of physical abuse.”
The health division’s report stated there isn’t any proof in any psychiatric educating that will assist the usage of whipping sufferers as remedy.
Augustus’ license can be suspended for at the very least 60 days. After that, she can be required to finish a two-day medical ethics course. If her license is reinstated, she can be beneath probation for three years.
Augustus was additionally fined $1,000 for every affected person she struck, in response to board paperwork.
