2 Health Professionals Disciplined by RIDOH for Sexually Inappropriate Actions
GoLocalProv News Team
2 Health Professionals Disciplined by RIDOH for Sexually Inappropriate Actions
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has taken action against two licensed professionals in the state - for reported sexual misconduct.
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Physical Therapist Reportedly Touched Patient’s Breast
This week, RIDOH placed licensed physical therapist Thomas Carter - who was first licensed in Rhode Island in 2015 - on probation.
“On or about April 10, 2023, RIDOH received notice that a female resident at a Nursing Facility reported that [Carter] touched her breast on April 6, 2023; this incident formed the basis of the Complaint. During the investigation of the Complaint, [Carter] admitted that he touched the resident in an unprofessional manner,” said RIDOH in its consent order, signed by Carter and RIDOH.
RIDOH did not identify the nursing facility.
“The conduct described in the Complaint above constitutes ‘unprofessional conduct’ pursuant to § 13(a)(16) of the Physical Therapy Act, because it violates Principles 4E and 4F of the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics regarding sexual behavior,” RIDOH continued.
According to RIDOH, Carter’s license “shall be subject to a three-year-period of Probation and reflect the status 'Active Probation' for the entirety of this period" - he is required to complete additional mandatory reporting, counseling, and education sessions.
Massage Tool Allegations
Licensed health worker Julian Rodriguez in Rhode Island was “summarily suspended” on November 25 by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) - after alleged sexual misconduct.
According to RIDOH, Rodriguez, a nursing assistant, had been working at an assisted living facility in the state, which RIDOH did not name.
“On our about November 21, 2025, a resident at the facility gave a detailed statement to RIDOH in which he stated that [Rodriguez], who had been assigned to assist him with showering, had utlized a massage tool on the patient’s genitals, had placed his hands on the patient’s [genitals], and placed the patient’s [genitals] his his mouth during the month of October 2025,” wrote RIDOH.
RIDOH went on to state the conduct described “constitutes unprofessional conduct” in violation of Rhode Island General Law 23-17.9-1.
“After considering the above facts, the Director of the Department of Health finds that public health, safety, and welfare imperatively require emergency action,” wrote RIDOH in issuing its summary suspension of Rodriguez on November 25.
The suspension is in effect “until further order of the Department.”