Summary: An Atlanta dermatologist who posted pictures of herself singing and dancing during surgery is being sued for malpractice.
Three women are suing a dermatologist who posted videos of herself singing and dancing during surgery. The plaintiffs said that the doctor had maimed them while under the knife, and the lawyer representing them said that the doctor also harmed nearly 100 women.
The doctor at the heart of this case is Dr. Windell Boutte who posted videos of herself on Youtube. In the videos, she would rap or dance while her unsuspecting patients were under anesthesia. Sometimes she’d sashay, and her assistants would dance behind her.
Three of her patients sued because Boutte allegedly injured them; and their attorney, Susan Witt, said that after their complaints were filed, almost 100 women came forward to say that they too suffered. Many had serious post-surgical complications from unnecessary infections.
“I’ve had more phone calls and emails than I could respond to,” Witt told CNN.
Witt said that the patients came forward to claim negligence after Boutte seemed to express no concern or care for the people she treated. She said that two patients identified themselves in the doctor’s Youtube videos, and she said that this case was a “cautionary tale” that patients must be their own advocates.
The videos have since been deleted, but HLN has archived some of them, which show Boutte having a good time at her patients’ expense. CNN said that it appeared these videos were intended for advertising purposes.
While Boutte may have thought posting these videos was a good idea, they actually seemed to show negligence, in addition to lack of concern for patient privacy and respect for them during a vulnerable time. In one video, she leans over a patient’s buttocks and raps while holding surgical instruments. During this segment, she does not wear a surgical mask or gloves, despite the patient being half bare.
“My patients are bad and boujee. Building up fat in the booty,” Dr. Boutte rapped.
Boutte has settled at least four malpractice lawsuits filed against her, HLN said. The Georgia Composite Medical Board has been aware of the doctor’s behavior since March 2016.
Boutte is a board-certified dermatologist but not certified as a surgeon. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she ran a lucrative medical spa and cosmetic surgery center that she claimed catered to the stars.
Patient Icilma Cornelius visited Boutte’s facility and was convinced to do a procedure to get a flat stomach before her wedding, AJC reported. During the procedure, her heart stopped and the facility was not equipped to handle this situation. They called 911, and after a chaotic scene, Cornelius was taken to the hospital and declared brain dead.
“Every surgery comes with risks, but the risks can increase when a facility doesn’t have the equipment, protocols and staff to handle emergencies,” AJC said.
In the lawsuits against Boutte, her former patients said she cuts corners, hires unqualified staff, and does not properly equip her medical facility.
The doctor continues to practice and she has refused to be interviewed, according to CNN.
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