An Osceola chiropractor who had his license suspended for inappropriate sexual comments and touching of patients has had his license reinstated and put on permanent probation.
According to the Iowa Board of Chiropractic, Stuart Hoven with Clarke County Chiropractic and Winterset Family Chiropractic, engaged in unethical conduct or practiced harmful or detrimental actions to the public.
It was determined Hoven had improper sexual conduct with, or made suggestive, lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to a patient numerous times in 2005, 2009 and 2012.
According to court documents released Wednesday, Sept. 17, this is Hoven’s “last opportunity to demonstrate that he is capable of practicing chiropractic in a competent, professional and ethical manner.”
Recent hearing
This wasn’t the first time Hoven has attempted to have his license reinstated through Iowa Board of Chiropractic.
Most recently, Stuart filed to have an amended and substituted application for reinstatement of license May 30. A reinstatement hearing was scheduled July 9.
Court documents state Hoven successfully completed all phases of treatment at Acumen Institute, which included participation in longitudinal treatment, education and a coaching program for professional sexual misconduct.
Hoven also returned for a follow-up evaluation at the Behavioral Medicine Institute (BMI) of Atlanta, Ga.
According to court documents, BMI reported to the board that Hoven’s only psychiatric diagnosis was “narcissistic traits.”
BMI’s report stated Hoven “demonstrated a greater level of insight into his sexual behavior and its relation to his sense of entitlement and his distorted rationalizations. ... (Hoven) demonstrated more empathy as it relates to those impacted by his professional sexual misconduct.”
Conditions
These are the conditions of the reinstatement of Hoven’s license:
• Maintain a copy of this decision and order in an accessible area of his office where it is available for review by his employees.
• Have a female chaperone present during any and all contact or interaction with female patients.
• Each quarter, a minimum of 10 patients in a one week period shall be given board approved patient satisfaction surveys to complete, seal and return to Hoven’s female chaperone.
• Submit to maintenance polygraph testing administered by Acumen Institute.
• Continue in individual psychotherapy with a board approved psychotherapist.
• Meet on a monthly basis with a board approved professional mentor to discuss problematic patients and practice issues.
• Establish and maintain a sexual harassment free workplace policy and shall provide a form for employees to complete.
• Provide quarterly sworn written reports to the board.
• Appear before the board within six months of reinstatement and annually thereafter, or upon request.
• Responsible for all costs of compliance with the terms and conditions of probation.
• Any violation of the terms and conditions of probation shall be grounds for further discipline, up to and including permanent license revocation.