by Maria Vitale Gallagher
LifeNews.com Editor
February 17, 2005
Erie, PA (LifeNews.com) -- More details are emerging about the
health and safety violations of a Pennsylvania abortion practitioner.
Harvey Brookman has been cited by the Pennsylvania Department of State
for unprofessional conduct and negligence.
Brookman most recently worked for an Erie abortion center that closed after it had trouble finding anyone to perform abortions.
Brookman also worked for two years as an “independent contractor physician” at the State College Medical Services abortion business in State College, PA.
The abortion practitioner became the target of a state inquiry after Centre County Citizens Concerned for Human Life, a pro-life group, filed complaints with the state Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and the state Department of Health.
Susan Rogacs of Centre County Citizens told the local press that Brookman was not licensed to offer medical services to the public. "We checked the state department website. It said he only had an active-retired license," meaning that he could treat only himself and family members, Rogacs said.
According to the Associated Press, Brookman also worked at American Women's Services in Erie from September, 2003, when it opened, until it closed in April, when his license problems were discovered.
The state has charged Brookman with practicing without malpractice insurance, giving expired drugs to patients, letting unlicensed staff administer drugs, failing to check his patients’ ages and identities, and performing abortions without a licensed registered nurse.
Brookman faces up to $60,000 in fines and revocation of his medical license if the allegations are proven true. He has 30 days to respond to the charges.
Brookman has had a number of other license problems in other states.
He surrendered his New Jersey license in 1996. The same year, New York revoked his license. Pennsylvania suspended his license in 1995.
According to the New York Department of Health, Brookman routinely examined the uteruses of pregnant women without a medical reason. He was also found guilty of maintaining inadequate patient records and altering others.
He is currently being sued by a woman who says he injured her during a February 2002 abortion at an abortion facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
