Many patients of gynecologist linked to infection exposure were new Canadians, unaware of complaint process – CBC

CPSO says patients can connect with an interpreter in one of 240 languages

Apr 03, 2025

laudia Gomez had just moved to Canada from Colombia when she says she had a traumatic experience with a gynecologist.

She said she went in for a pap test and was instead given a biopsy, with no warning.

“I was by myself, I didn’t have any path to protect myself. I started bleeding and she said I could be in pain for a few days,” said Gomez, recalling the experience she said happened four years ago.

“I didn’t know the system and I thought I didn’t have any other options.”

After CBC Toronto was first to report on a Toronto gynecologist linked to potential exposure to blood-borne infections, several patients reached out with their own negative experiences with Dr. Esther Park. Many of them were new to Canada, and said not knowing the language or how to navigate the medical system made it harder for them to complain — something advocates say is a wider issue across the health-care system.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/patients-toronto-gynecologist-new-canadians-1.7499105