Wagner Reese, LLP looks into patient abuse allegations against a former southern Indiana physician
When you visit a doctor, you place an enormous amount of trust in that person. That trust makes the allegations against Dr. A. Michael Guirguis all the more alarming. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office secured an emergency 90-day suspension of Dr. Guirguis’s medical license after multiple male patients came forward alleging he sexually abused them during genital and prostate examinations. The Indiana Medical Licensing Board acted on the petition immediately, removing Dr. Guirguis from practice while the state pursues a formal investigation and potential permanent revocation of his license.
At Wagner Reese, our sexual abuse attorneys are closely monitoring these developments and are committed to helping any patient who may have been harmed. Our firm handles sensitive, complex cases with discretion and care, and we fight for accountability when those in positions of authority abuse the trust placed in them.
What the Allegations Against Dr. Guirguis Involve
Dr. Guirguis practiced with Norton Healthcare from 2008 until he was terminated in December 2025 for what the company described as “grossly unprofessional conduct.” The allegations brought forward by multiple male patients describe a pattern of troubling behavior during routine examinations. According to the petition filed with the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, the reported conduct includes the following:
- Inappropriate touching: Grabbing and manipulating patients’ genitals during prostate exams in ways that were not medically necessary
- Prolonged examinations: Conducting genital exams lasting approximately 10 minutes without clinical justification
- Lack of consent: Performing digital rectal procedures without warning patients beforehand
- Failure to use gloves: Conducting genital and prostate exams without standard protective equipment
- Observation of a bodily function: Watching a patient ejaculate while collecting a semen sample
These are serious allegations that, if proven, represent a fundamental betrayal of the doctor-patient relationship. Norton Healthcare’s termination of Dr. Guirguis signals that the institution took the reported conduct seriously.
Patients Don’t Always Know Their Rights Were Violated
One of the most difficult realities in cases of doctor-on-patient sexual abuse is that many victims do not initially recognize what happened to them as abuse. Patients are conditioned to defer to their doctors, and medical examinations of sensitive areas are a legitimate part of care. This can make it genuinely hard to tell where appropriate medical practice ends and misconduct begins.
Research published in the National Institutes of Health found that patients who experienced sexual abuse by a healthcare provider often struggled to identify their experience as abuse, in part because of the inherent power imbalance and trust built into the medical relationship. This is not a personal failure. It is a predictable response to a situation no patient should ever face.
If you were a patient of Dr. Guirguis and experienced discomfort during an exam, or if something felt wrong in the moment, your instincts deserve to be taken seriously. Exams that were unusually prolonged, conducted without gloves, or that involved physical contact that felt inappropriate may not have met the standard of proper medical care.
The Importance of Coming Forward
Attorney General Rokita issued a clear message in the wake of this suspension: “These allegations are deeply disturbing and represent an egregious, unconscionable betrayal of the sacred trust Hoosiers place in their medical professionals. No patient should ever fear abuse or exploitation when seeking care, especially during the most vulnerable and sensitive examinations.” He continued: “Victims who bravely come forward are the true heroes in these cases. Their voices expose wrongdoing and prevent it from happening to others. We urge anyone with similar experiences to contact my office without fear.”
Coming forward is a courageous act, and it matters. Beyond potential criminal proceedings, patients who were harmed may have civil legal options available to them. A medical malpractice claim or a civil sexual abuse lawsuit can hold both individual providers and the institutions that employed them accountable. Norton Healthcare employed Dr. Guirguis for nearly two decades, and questions about oversight and accountability are a legitimate part of any civil investigation.
What to Do If You Were a Patient
If you believe you may have experienced inappropriate conduct during an appointment with Dr. Guirguis, there are concrete steps you can take. You may contact the Indiana Attorney General’s office to file a report, and you should also speak with an attorney who handles sexual abuse cases in hospitals and medical settings to understand your civil rights. Time limits apply to these types of claims in Indiana, so acting sooner rather than later protects your options.
Our legal team can help you understand whether you have a viable claim, what that process looks like, and how we can pursue compensation on your behalf with full confidentiality and care.
Wagner Reese Is Here for You
Attorney Jeff Gibson, who leads our male sexual abuse practice at Wagner Reese, LLP, commented on cases like this: “When someone in a white coat takes advantage of a patient’s vulnerability, it is one of the most profound violations of trust imaginable. Our role is to make sure victims know they have options, and that they do not have to face this alone.” You can read more about Jeff Gibson and his work with survivors on his attorney profile page.
Wagner Reese is an Indiana personal injury firm that handles sexual abuse cases with the seriousness and sensitivity they require. Our attorneys have the experience to pursue civil claims against both individual wrongdoers and the institutions that enabled them. If you or someone you know was a patient of Dr. Guirguis and may have experienced inappropriate conduct, please do not wait. Contact Wagner Reese today for a free and confidential consultation.
