Eight-month suspension for doctor who tried to smother wife with a pillow and threatened to kill his family

An Ontario doctor who “acted violently and committed assault” against his family members has been suspended for eight months and ordered to pay $6,000 in college costs. Dr. Awad Abdul Hadi Mortada, a neurologist who practises in Chatham, Ont., was reprimanded on September 16 by the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline tribunal for assaulting relatives “not once but repeatedly,” according to a transcript of the virtual discipline posted online by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. “You have also broken your legal agreement not to approach or contact members of your family,” the tribunal said during the reprimand hearing. “This is most disturbing and worsens the misconduct.” Dr. Mortada had pleaded guilty in an Ontario criminal court to domestic assault and was sentenced in June 2019 to two years probation and a five-year weapons ban. He had been charged the previous year with seven counts of assault against two people, 10 counts of uttering death threats to four people, one count of causing bodily harm and two counts of assault—one allegedly involving a knife and another allegedly involving a pillow. Read: Cardiologist who raped junior colleague in 'horrific' assault stripped of licence, hit with $124K in hearing costs He subsequently admitted in court to punching his wife in the face and chest, attempting to suffocate her with a pillow and threatening to kill his whole family by driving into a transport truck. The Ontario court justice who sentenced Dr. Mortada in 2019 noted during his sentencing hearing that he had changed for the better since his trial began and that he had demonstrated remorse.However, the college tribunal said Dr. Mortada’s actions have caused significant physical and emotional damage for his family. Read: Criminal conviction, 10 years on sex offender registry: Ontario surgeon stripped of licence “Your actions have undoubtedly caused physical and emotional trauma to members of your family, and you have lost their trust,” said the tribunal. “We acknowledge your rehabilitative activities and ongoing treatment, but your misconduct is abhorrent and cannot be excused. Your conduct reflects poorly on you and the profession, and your violent behaviour must be sanctioned.” Additionally, “the medical profession’s primary tenet is to first do no harm—to anyone whether a patient or not,” the tribunal told Dr. Mortada. “Physicians are expected to control their emotions and behave as professionals both within and outside the clinical setting. Our patients’ lives and welfare depend on it.” Read: Collateral damage of COVID-19: Rising rates of domestic and social violence

Eight-month suspension for doctor who tried to smother wife with a pillow and threatened to kill his family

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