Kansas City-area gynecologist who dated patient for 2 years loses medical license

A Kansas City, Kansas, gynecologist has lost his medical license after he had a romantic relationship with a patient that included paying her rent, buying her a Jeep and going on vacation with her, according to a state licensing agency.

The Kansas Board of Healing Arts on Monday indefinitely suspended the license of Charles W. Gibbs.

The University of Kansas Medical Center lists Gibbs as a clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. He is also the director of the Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine / Advanced Maternal and Fetal Care at the University of Kansas Health System.

Gibbs met the patient in the summer of 2016 when her sister accompanied her to an appointment. He established a doctor-patient relationship with her in November 2016 for a “pre-conception” examination and consultation. He also began managing her prescriptions, which included controlled substances, according to the order.

In January 2017, Gibbs began a consensual romantic relationship, which included sexual intimacy. That relationship ended in July 2019. Throughout the relationship, Gibbs continued to see and treat her as a patient.

During the relationship, Gibbs paid for her personal expenses, including her rent and utility bills. He also purchased a Jeep for her use and took her on a vacation to Mexico.

As a result of the relationship, the Board of Healing Arts said, Gibbs violated the Kansas Healing Arts Act by having an improper sexual contact that exploited the doctor-patient relationship and by failing to keep medical records regarding the medical care and treatment he was providing the woman.

After the relationship ended, Gibbs took remedial and rehabilitative measures to address his conduct, including successfully completing the PROBE Program and Ethics and Boundaries Assessment Services essay examinations.

The indefinite suspension is for a minimum of 30 days. Gibbs can request that his suspension be stayed or terminated but he must demonstrate to the board that he has met the eight factors required for reinstatement of his license, according to the order.

Gibbs was first licensed to practice medicine and surgery in Kansas in August 2007 and last renewed his license in May.