Previous Hearings
Committee: Discipline
Decision Date: 05 Apr 2021
Summary:
On April 5, 2021, the Discipline Committee of the College heard, via videoconference, allegations of family physician Dr. Ateyah’s professional misconduct. The hearing proceeded in the presence of Dr. Ateyah, counsel for the College and counsel for Dr. Ateyah. The allegations related to Dr. Ateyah’s interactions with and care of Patient A, his communications with Patient A’s family member after Patient A complained to the College, his interactions with Patient B, his communications with Patient B’s family member after Patient B complained to the College, and his breach of a term, condition or limitation on his undertaking to the College. Dr. Ateyah pleaded no contest to the facts contained in a Statement of Uncontested Facts on Liability, and did not contest that, based on those facts, he had engaged in professional misconduct.
On the basis of the Statement of Uncontested Facts on Liability, the Committee found that Dr. Ateyah committed an act of professional misconduct in that: he engaged in an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional; he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession; and he contravened a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration.
Disposition
Taking into account an Agreed Statement of Facts on Penalty, and a joint submission from the parties as to an appropriate penalty in this case, the Discipline Committee ordered and directed:
• Dr. Ateyah attend before the Committee to be reprimanded
• The Registrar suspend Dr. Ateyah’s certificate of registration for 12 months, commencing on April 6, 2021
• The Registrar impose the following terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Ateyah’s certificate of registration effective on April 6, 2021:
Dr. Ateyah, prior to his return to practice and at his own expense, shall participate in and successfully complete individualized instruction in professionalism and ethics, satisfactory to the College, with an instructor approved by the College, who shall provide a summative report to the College including whether Dr. Ateyah has successfully completed this instruction
• Dr. Ateyah pay costs to the College in the amount of $6,000.
The Committee released its reasons for decision in this matter on June 18, 2021, and they are available via the College’s website.
Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Hearing Date(s): April 5, 2021
Committee: Discipline
Decision Date: 19 Jul 2019
Summary:
On July 19, 2019, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Wameed Ateyah committed an act of professional misconduct in that he has failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession.
On a morning of a date in October 2016, Patient A attended Dr. Ateyah’s office as a walk-in patient. She complained of back pain and some vaginal itchiness. Dr. Ateyah examined Patient A.
The Committee found that Dr. Ateyah did not clearly communicate to Patient A in advance the type of examination he intended to perform or the reasons for the examination. In the result, Patient A was confused and did not understand what Dr. Ateyah was doing or why he was doing it during the initial examination on the examination table.
The Committee found that Dr. Ateyah failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession in not clearly explaining to Patient A the type of examination he intended to conduct before embarking on the examination, and the reasons for conducting that examination.
On October 7, 2019, the Committee heard submissions on penalty. The Committee reserved its penalty decision.
On December 23, 2019, the Committee released its penalty decision:
The Committee orders and directs on the matter of penalty and costs that:
1. The Registrar suspend Dr. Ateyah’s certificate of registration for a period of two months, commencing on January 6, 2020 at 12:01 a.m;
2. The Registrar place the following terms, conditions or limitations on Dr. Ateyah’s certificate of registration:
(i) Dr. Ateyah shall comply with the College Policy “Closing a Medical Practice”, a copy of which is attached to this Order;
(ii) Dr. Ateyah will participate in the Saegis Successful Patient Interactions Course by receiving a passing evaluation or grade, without any conditions or qualification. Dr. Ateyah will complete the Saegis course within 6 months of the date of this Order and will provide proof to the College of his completion, including proof of registration and attendance and participant assessment reports, within one (1) month of completing it.
3. Dr. Ateyah shall appear before the Committee to be reprimanded; and
4. Dr. Ateyah shall pay to the College costs in the amount of $20,550.00 within 60 days of the date of this Order.
Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Hearing Date(s): May 14-18, 2018
penalty hearing date: October 7, 2019
Concerns
Source:
Other
Active Date: September 22, 2023
Expiry Date:
Summary:
Findings of Guilt
Wameed Ateyah has been found guilty of the following offences:
1. 16 counts of Sexual Assault, contrary to Section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
2. 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of a young person, contrary to Section 153 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Date: September 22, 2023
SENTENCE: Pending at time of posting
Download Full Document (PDF)
Source:
Member
Active Date: April 15, 2020
Expiry Date:
Summary:
Summary of the Undertaking given by Dr. Wameed Ateyah to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, effective April 15, 2020:
Following a public complaint, a College investigation was conducted into Dr. Ateyah’s family medicine practice. As a result of the investigation:
Dr. Ateyah must not engage in any professional encounters, in person or otherwise, with patients of any age, in any jurisdiction, unless the encounter takes place in the presence of a monitor who is a regulated health professional acceptable to the College, and unless the other requirements provided in Dr. Ateyah’s Undertaking with the College are fulfilled. For further clarity, Dr. Ateyah must not be alone with any patient during any professional encounter.
Dr. Ateyah shall post a sign in all waiting rooms, examination rooms and consulting rooms, in all Practice Locations, in a clearly visible and secure location, that states: “Dr. Ateyah must not have professional encounters, in person or otherwise, with patients of any age, unless in the presence of a practice monitor acceptable to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Dr. Ateyah must not be alone with any patient during any professional encounter. Further information may be found on the College website at www.cpso.on.ca”.
Dr. Ateyah will practise under the guidance of a Clinical Supervisor acceptable to the College for a minimum of 7 months.
Dr. Ateyah will engage in professional education, including in maintaining professional boundaries, appropriate technique and communication for intimate examinations, and medical record-keeping.
Dr. Ateyah’s practice will be reassessed by an assessor selected by the College within 6 months of the end of the period of Clinical Supervision and professional education.
Source:
Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee
Active Date: April 8, 2020
Expiry Date:
Summary:
Caution-in-Person:
A summary of a decision of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee in which the disposition includes a "caution-in-person" is required by the College by-laws to be posted on the register, along with a note if the decision has been appealed. A “caution-in-person” disposition requires the physician to attend at the College and be verbally cautioned by a panel of the Committee. The summary will be removed from the register if the decision is overturned on appeal or review. Note that this requirement only applies to decisions arising out of a complaint dated on or after January 1, 2015, or if there was no complaint, the first appointment of investigators dated on or after January 1, 2015.
See PDF for the summary of a decision made against this member in which the disposition includes a Caution-in-Person:
Download Full Document (PDF)
Source:
Compliance and Monitoring Department
Active Date: February 21, 2018
Expiry Date:
Summary:
Effective August 2, 2018, Dr. Ateyah has completed his SCERP.
Specified Continuing Education and Remediation Program:
A summary of a decision of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee in which the disposition includes a Specified Continuing Education and Remediation Program (“SCERP”) is required by the College By-laws to be posted on the register, along with a note if the decision has been appealed. A SCERP is one of the dispositions that the College’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee may make in connection with a matter before it, and this disposition requires the member to complete an education and remediation program specified for the member. A note will also be posted when all the elements of the SCERP have been completed. The summary will be removed from the register if the decision is overturned on appeal or review. Note that this requirement only applies to decisions arising out of a complaint dated on or after January 1, 2015 or if there was no complaint, the first appointment of investigators dated on or after January 1, 2015.
See PDF for the summary of a decision made against this member in which the
disposition includes a SCERP:
Download Full Document (PDF)