Reno Doctor Accused of Malpractice Claims He Was Following Protocol | Medicine

Publish date: 2024-05-06

A Reno doctor accused of malpractice told a hearing officer that he was following protocol when one of his patients delivered a high-risk pregnancy in Renown's emergency room.

Dr. Samuel Chacon testified Monday that he had informed his patients that he could not deliver their babies after losing his birthing privileges at Renown in November 2022.

A state investigative committee suspended his license in September, saying he continued to advertise prenatal services and endangered a woman with a high-risk pregnancy when he failed to refer her to appropriate care providers.

Their report says he risked her safety and well-being by referring her to the Renown ER.

However, Chacon's lawyer argues that he made it clear to the patient that she had to find another service to deliver her twins.

OCTOBER 12, 2023:

A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon for the Reno doctor accused of medical malpractice.

It's the first time Dr. Samuel Chacon is appearing before the state medical examiner's board since his license was suspended.

Wednesday's public hearing is for the board to decide if his license should be terminated permanently.

Dr. Chacon, who has been practicing in Washoe County for almost 20 years, is accused of abusing and endangering his patients at the Women's Health Center of Reno.

Some of the accusations include reproductive coercion, forced sterilization, giving medical misinformation and sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, the FBI in Las Vegas is seeking information in the investigation. 

The FBI says if you believe that you were victimized by Dr. Chacon or that you have information pertinent to this investigation, the FBI wants you to fill out a short form.

Responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify people as possible victims. Based on responses given, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.

In its Sept. 5th suspension order, the Board says based on an investigation, Samuel Chacon's "acts place the health, safety and welfare of the public at risk of imminent harm pursuant to NRS 630.326(1)." 

The order states that in November 2022, Chacon surrendered hospital privileges at Renown and therefore "could not deliver any of his prenatal patients." 

The order then details one woman's high-risk pregnancy with twins in March 2023. It says that Chacon did not refer her to "an appropriate care provider" who could deliver the twins "nor did he make arrangements with another physician group who could assume the prenatal care." 

The Board says despite the detailed case, he "is continuing to offer prenatal care to other established patients and advertise for and accept new prenatal patients despite his lack of hospital privileges and his inability to deliver his patients."

Chacon was also arrested in October 2022 in a two-day operation to combat prostitution and other alleged sex crimes near the University of Nevada, Reno.

Download PDF Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners

UPDATE: JANUARY 23, 2023

Several women accusing a Reno doctor of medical malpractice protested outside his Moana Lane office on Monday.

The Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence accuse Dr. Samuel Chacon of performing unnecessary surgeries, botched operations and abusive practices.

According to court documents, Dr. Chacon has four active medical cases being investigated against him.

Women’s Health Center of Reno specializes in obstetrics and gynecology-related services.

Chacon was also arrested last October in a two-day operation to combat prostitution and other alleged sex crimes near the University of Nevada, Reno.

Organizers are now pushing for state lawmakers to help address the allegations against the doctor.

We have reached out to attorneys representing Dr. Chacon multiple times. We have yet to get a response back from them.

Women's Health Center of Reno did not comment. 

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